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Council for Exceptional Children

EIN 52-0886495 · Arlington, VA

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair53 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

CULTIVATING, SUPPORTING, AND EMPOWERING EDUCATION PROFESSIONALS WHO WORK WITH INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES BY: ADVOCATING FOR EDUCATION PROFESSIONALS AND FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES, AND/OR GIFTS AND TALENTS; ADVANCING PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE AND SCHOLARLY RESEARCH; PROMOTING DIVERSITY, EQUITY, INCLUSIVITY, AND ACCESSIBILITY; BUILDING NETWORKS, PARTNERSHIPS, AND COMMUNITIES.

Income
$8.0 million
Spending
$8.1 million
Spent on programs
85%
Reserves
1.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 66%
Employees
35
Volunteers
1,000
Highest pay
$338,862, executive director & secretary

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 53 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    5 of 20

    It owes 71% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 1% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 3% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    85% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    15 of 15 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Impact evidence

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (6)
  1. $1.9 million spent. CONVENTION: THE COUNCIL FOR EXCEPTIONAL CHILDREN'S (CEC) ANNUAL CONVENTION & EXPO IS THE LARGEST INTERNATIONAL GATHERING OF SPECIAL EDUCATION PROFESSIONALS. EACH YEAR, THOUSANDS OF EDUCATORS, ADMINISTRATORS, RESEARCHERS, AND ADVOCATES COME TOGETHER TO SHARE THE LATEST RESEARCH, BEST PRACTICES, AND INNOVATIONS IN THE FIELD. THE CONVENTION OFFERS HUNDREDS OF SESSIONS ACROSS A WIDE RANGE OF TOPICS, HANDS-ON WORKSHOPS, AND NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES THAT HELP PARTICIPANTS STRENGTHEN THEIR SKILLS AND ADVANCE OUTCOMES FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES. THE EXPO SHOWCASES TOOLS, TECHNOLOGIES, AND RESOURCES THAT SUPPORT EFFECTIVE PRACTICE. MORE THAN A CONFERENCE, THE CEC CONVENTION IS A VIBRANT COMMUNITY EXPERIENCE THAT INSPIRES COLLABORATION AND EMPOWERS EDUCATORS TO MAKE A GREATER IMPACT.
  2. $1.5 million spent. PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT: CEC OFFERS HIGH-QUALITY PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT DESIGNED TO MEET THE EVOLVING NEEDS OF SPECIAL EDUCATORS AT EVERY STAGE OF THEIR CAREERS. THROUGH WEBINARS, ONLINE COURSES, WORKSHOPS, CUSTOM TRAININGS, AND IN-PERSON LEARNING AT THE ANNUAL CONVENTION & EXPO, CEC PROVIDES PRACTICAL STRATEGIES, EVIDENCE-BASED PRACTICES, AND THE LATEST RESEARCH IN SPECIAL EDUCATION. PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES COVER A WIDE RANGE OF TOPICS, FROM CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT AND INSTRUCTIONAL PRACTICES TO POLICY AND LEADERSHIP. WITH FLEXIBLE FORMATS AND EXPERT-LED CONTENT, CEC EQUIPS EDUCATORS WITH THE TOOLS AND CONFIDENCE THEY NEED TO SUPPORT STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES AND ADVANCE THEIR PROFESSIONAL GROWTH.
  3. $1.4 million spent. OUTREACH:PROFESSIONAL PREPARATION STANDARDS: THE COUNCIL FOR EXCEPTIONAL CHILDREN'S PROFESSIONAL PREPARATION STANDARDS DEFINE THE SPECIALIZED EXPERTISE SPECIAL EDUCATORS MUST MASTER FOR SAFE AND EFFECTIVE PRACTICE. THESE STANDARDS ARE USED TO INFORM SPECIAL EDUCATOR PREPARATION PROGRAMS, ACCREDITATION ORGANIZATIONS, AND CREDENTIALING AGENCIES. FROM OUR EARLIEST DAYS, WE'VE RECOGNIZED THE CRITICAL ROLE OF STANDARDS IN DEFINING SPECIAL EDUCATION AS A PROFESSION. IN 1922, AT ITS INAUGURAL MEETING, THE FOUNDERS OF CEC IDENTIFIED THE ESTABLISHMENT OF PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS AS ONE OF THE PRIMARY AIMS OF THE ORGANIZATION. WE'VE EMBRACED THIS RESPONSIBILITY TO HAVE BEEN A LEADER AMONG EDUCATION ASSOCIATIONS IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF ETHICAL PRINCIPLES, PREPARATION STANDARDS, AND RESOURCES FOR USING THE STANDARDS. CEC HAS AND CONTINUES TO USE A COLLABORATIVE PROCESS THAT ENSURES THAT ITS STANDARDS ARE CURRENT, RESEARCH-BASED, AND DESIGNED TO FULLY ADDRESS THE KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS SPECIAL EDUCATORS MUST MASTER.YES I CAN AWARDS: CEC'S YES I CAN AWARDS RECOGNIZE THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES WHO HAVE DEMONSTRATED EXCELLENCE IN AREAS SUCH AS ACADEMICS, ARTS, SELF-ADVOCACY, TECHNOLOGY, AND COMMUNITY SERVICE. EACH YEAR, CEC HONORS AWARD RECIPIENTS AT ITS ANNUAL CONVENTION & EXPO, CELEBRATING THEIR ACHIEVEMENTS AND SHARING THEIR STORIES WITH THOUSANDS OF EDUCATORS, FAMILIES, AND PEERS. THE PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS THE POTENTIAL AND CONTRIBUTIONS OF YOUNG PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES WHILE INSPIRING EDUCATORS AND COMMUNITIES TO CONTINUE FOSTERING INCLUSIVE OPPORTUNITIES. THROUGH YES I CAN, CEC SHINES A SPOTLIGHT ON THE STRENGTHS AND SUCCESSES OF STUDENTS, REINFORCING ITS MISSION TO ENSURE EVERY CHILD IS SUPPORTED TO REACH THEIR FULL POTENTIAL.DIVERSITY LEADERSHIP ACADEMY: CEC'S DIVERSITY LEADERSHIP ACADEMY (DLA) DEVELOPS AND EMPOWERS SPECIAL EDUCATION PROFESSIONALS FROM HISTORICALLY UNDERREPRESENTED GROUPS TO BECOME STRONG LEADERS IN THE FIELD. THROUGH A TWO YEAR-LONG PROGRAM OF MENTORSHIP, TRAINING, AND NETWORKING, PARTICIPANTS BUILD LEADERSHIP SKILLS, DEEPEN THEIR KNOWLEDGE OF POLICY AND PRACTICE, AND ENGAGE WITH PEERS WHO SHARE A COMMITMENT TO EQUITY AND INCLUSION. THE DLA NOT ONLY SUPPORTS INDIVIDUAL PROFESSIONAL GROWTH BUT ALSO STRENGTHENS THE PROFESSION BY ENSURING DIVERSE VOICES AND PERSPECTIVES ARE REPRESENTED IN LEADERSHIP ROLES. BY CULTIVATING THE NEXT GENERATION OF LEADERS, THE PROGRAM ADVANCES CEC'S MISSION TO CREATE A MORE INCLUSIVE AND EQUITABLE FUTURE FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES.
  4. $1.3 million spent. MEMBERSHIP: CEC'S MEMBERSHIP PROGRAM CONNECTS SPECIAL EDUCATION PROFESSIONALS TO A COMMUNITY DEDICATED TO IMPROVING OUTCOMES FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES. MEMBERS GAIN ACCESS TO TRUSTED RESOURCES, INCLUDING JOURNALS AND PUBLICATIONS, PRACTICE GUIDANCE, POLICY UPDATES, AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES. MEMBERSHIP ALSO OFFERS ACCESS TO CEC'S ANNUAL CONVENTION & EXPO, ONLINE LEARNING, AND SPECIALTY DIVISIONS FOCUSED ON SPECIFIC AREAS OF PRACTICE. BEYOND RESOURCES, MEMBERSHIP PROVIDES A NETWORK OF PEERS AND MENTORS WHO SHARE KNOWLEDGE, OFFER SUPPORT, AND STRENGTHEN THE COLLECTIVE VOICE OF THE FIELD.
  5. $511,034 spent. POLICY & STANDARDS: CEC LEADS NATIONAL EFFORTS TO ADVANCE POLICIES THAT IMPROVE OUTCOMES FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES AND THE PROFESSIONALS WHO SERVE THEM. THROUGH DIRECT ENGAGEMENT WITH LAWMAKERS, COALITION PARTNERSHIPS, AND GRASSROOTS MOBILIZATION OF ITS MEMBERS, CEC ADVOCATES FOR STRONG FEDERAL INVESTMENTS IN SPECIAL EDUCATION, EVIDENCE-BASED PRACTICES, AND EQUITABLE ACCESS TO SERVICES. THE ORGANIZATION PROVIDES TIMELY POLICY UPDATES AND RESOURCES THAT HELP EDUCATORS UNDERSTAND AND INFLUENCE THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS. BY AMPLIFYING THE VOICES OF SPECIAL EDUCATION PROFESSIONALS, CEC ENSURES THAT CRITICAL ISSUES IN THE FIELD REMAIN AT THE FOREFRONT OF EDUCATION POLICY.
  6. $263,191 spent. ACCREDITATION: CEC ACCREDITATION PROVIDES EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS WITH A PROGRAM OF SELF-STUDY FOR CRITICAL EXAMINATION OF HOW THEY PREPARE SPECIAL EDUCATORS FOR THE DEMANDS OF TEACHING SPECIAL EDUCATION. THROUGH THREE CYCLES OF DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS FOCUSING ON THE KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND COMPETENCY DEVELOPMENT OF STUDENTS, PROGRAMS DOCUMENT THEIR EVIDENCE-BASED PRACTICES AND INNOVATIVE SPECIAL EDUCATOR PREPARATION PRACTICES. EC ACCREDITATION IS FOCUSED ON DEVELOPING CANDIDATE PROFICIENCIES, CANDIDATE PERFORMANCE ON CEC STANDARDS, PUBLIC ACCOUNTABILITY, AND CONTEXTUAL INDICATORS OF QUALITY IN ALIGNMENT TO THE EXISTING CEC PROFESSIONAL PREPARATION STANDARDS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.

    Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.

    On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.

    Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since May 1988.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  6. Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.

    Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.

    Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 21, 2026.

Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.