Special educator preparation programs may seek National Recognition from the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) as part of the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) Accreditation Process.

To achieve National Recognition a program will submit evidence for each content area and degree level. The evidence will describe candidates’ performance on a set of key assessments that demonstrate meeting the CEC's Standards.

CEC will hold a live virtual workshop on May 8, 2026, from 10am-5:00pm EDT which will be led by experts in the CEC National Recognition process who will facilitate discussions and answer questions specific to individual program challenges.  

This virtual workshop provides targeted support in the following areas:

• CEC Standards
• Compiling Evidence (assessments, rubrics, data)
• Program Report Process & Components

Who should register? Program representatives writing program review reports, educator preparation providers looking to improve their programs, individuals interested in becoming volunteer program reviewers*, and individuals interested in CEC Accreditation**.

Individual registrants who are current CEC Members get a discounted rate of $250 - $50 less than the $300 price for Non-Members! To join or renew CEC Membership click here.

Programs that register three or more participants qualify for a group rate of $600.

*Although this workshop is not specifically designed to prepare programs for CEC Accreditation, there are various sections of the workshop such as assessments, rubrics, data overviews that would be useful in a program’s preparation for CEC Accreditation.

**Individuals interested in becoming a volunteer program reviewer should submit an application here.