Who We Are
The Council of Administrators of Special Education, Inc (CASE) is an international professional educational organization which is affiliated with the Council for Exceptional Children whose members are dedicated to the enhancement of the worth, dignity, potential, and uniqueness of each individual in society. The Council of Administrators of Special Education, Inc. provides leadership and support to members by influencing policies and practices to improve the quality of education. We were constituted in 1952 and have over 4800 members throughout the United States, Canada, and various other countries.
Basic Organizational Facts
CASE publishes 6 In CASE newsletters each year: July/August, September/October, November/December, January/February, March/April, and May/June. The Journal of Special Education Leadership is published two times a year—Spring and Fall. CASE maintains a web site, www.casecec.org, and an active email list.
CASE has had a full time Executive Director since 1990 and a part time ED from 1980 until that date. There have been four ED’s in the CASE history, Dr. Harrie Selznick, Dr. David Green, Dr. Jo Thomason, and Dr. Luann Purcell. The first stand alone office was established July 1, 2002 in cooperation with Fort Valley State University, Fort Valley, GA. CASE has an operational budget of over $500,000.
CASE has an annual conference in the fall (location alternates from east to west coast) on current program issues and a Winter Institute each January in Florida that typically focuses on public policy issues. CASE established a new relationship with Sopris West in 2002 for a Leadership Seminar focusing on partnerships with members of congress to be held annually in DC in March. The focus of all the professional development opportunities is to provide new skills and knowledge for members to strengthen the state and provincial units in meeting in the needs of their members.
CASE gives two annual awards, the Special Education Administrator of the Year and the Harrie Selznick Distinguished Administrator award. The Administrator of the Year Award is to recognize the administrator who has exemplified outstanding leadership at the local and state/provincial level. The Harrie Selznick award is to be given to an administrator who has had substantial influence to the field beyond the local and state/provincial level. There is a $500 stipend attached to the Selznick award. Both awards are given at the Annual meeting held in conjunction with the CEC conference.
Mission
The Council of Administrators of Special Education, Inc. provides leadership and support to members by influencing policies and practices to improve the quality of education.
Beliefs
The community should celebrate and appreciate diversity as enriching society;
Each student has the right to an educational program based on high standards;
Student learning and behavioral outcomes should be measured by meaningful assessment and utilized to make instructional and systemic change;
All children regardless of abilities need to be included and considered within the school-based reform movement;
Administrators are critical change agents who affect the quality and future of education and the education of students with exceptionalities;
Administrators should make a difference in the quality and future of the lives of individuals with exceptionalities, their families and communities;
CASE, Inc. must provide an international, collegial network and opportunities for professional growth; and
CASE, Inc. is an important Division of the Council for Exceptional Children and this relationship provides the context within which to accomplish our respective missions.