The CEC 2013 Convention & Expo is officially underway in San Antonio. The event is the largest professional development event dedicated to special and gifted education. Educators from all over the world have already begun to discuss critical issues including Common Core State Standards, autism spectrum disorders, emotional behavior disorders and supports, instructional strategies for math, reading and science, policy, technology, and response to intervention. The convention began yesterday, April 3, and goes through Saturday, April 6.
Along with hundreds of educational sessions, led by experts in the industry, and opportunities to network with others working with children with exceptionalities and their families, the convention also provides attendees with the opportunity to learn about new and pending legislation, and explore cutting-edge products and services.
The event is highly attended by special educators and early interventionists, administrators and supervisors, students, researchers, teacher educators, psychologists, curriculum specialists and facilitators, and parents. It’s a great opportunity to find out what’s new in the field, and further professional growth.
With an increase in children needing special or gifted educational opportunities, along with a growing autism community, it’s becoming more and more important for educators, families, therapists, administrators, curriculum directors (and anyone else involved in the education system), to be fully equipped with the latest developments, therapies and research. It’s even more important for these individuals to provide an environment of acceptance and an opportunity for children of all abilities to learn.
Next year the CEC Convention & Expo will be held in Philadelphia, April 9-12, 2014.