Teacher Education Division
1
TEACHER EDUCATION DIVISION of CEC
Board Report: November 2014
FALL REPORT of: ___Small Special Education Programs Caucus (SSEPC)______________________________
Name: Kate D. Simmons
Date Submitted: October, 30, 2014
Position: Chair
Term: 2014
Current Office/Committee Goals: To further the goals of TED and increase member involvement throughout the year.
Committee members: Kate D. Simmons, Frank Dykes, Ruby Owiny, Elizabeth Hartmann, and Evelyn Barese
Accomplishments :
(Please provide a list of activities and accomplishments here.)
1.Office term changes to better suit the needs of SSEPC
2.Increased member involvement (online, Facebook, share-all’s)
3. Developed Facebook and Weebly page
As appropriate, please match the above committee or position accomplishments to the Objectives of the TED Strategic Plan listed in the left
column below. This allows us to see how our committees are furthering TED's Strategic Plan.
Strategic Plan Scorecard
Objective of TED Strategic Plan
Accomplishments Related to
Strategic Plan Objectives (include objective/quantitative data)
 Advance teacher educators’ implementation SSEPC members have:
of research–based practices.
 Directed graduate programs in special education









November, 2014
Taught research classes
Direct thesis papers
Supervised candidates completing case studies of students in their K-12 classes
Planned instruction based on the specifics of the findings from case studies
Provided candidates with a strong assessment foundation
Planned instruction during practicum based on individual K-12 students’ needs
after completing assessments with each student in the practicum
Presented (often with candidates) their findings of the above at state and national
CEC conferences
Published at least 10 research articles on co-teaching and/or research-based
practices
Attended and presented at non-CEC conferences
Teacher Education Division
2






Shared the information with members of SSEPC
Highlighted research-based instructional practices in Introductory courses
Read and reviewed many meta-analyses in classes
Completed practice simulations with EBPs allowing for instructor feedback
Provided opportunities for students attend and present at conferences to assist in
their development as teacher-researchers
Worked with the implementation team of EdTPA for specific a college and region

Influence policy through strong advocacy for
teacher education in special education.
SSEPC members:
 Keep faculty and students apprised of special education developments both in
Washington DC and their specific states
 Presented on Special Education law/requirements under Section 504 for
college/university
 Serve on a board with a state senator where we work on advocacy for individuals
with Downs Syndrome
 Advocate on behalf of local ARC

Elevate TED in the professional community.
SSEPC members:
 Participate at TED business meetings when able to attend state CEC meetings
 Host TED state meetings so that TED could meet outside of the annual (state
CEC)
 Respond to TED discussions that have been online
 Encouraged participation of potential SSEPC members, and feel that this
mentoring resulted in enhancing new members in teaching, research and
evaluation
 Raise awareness about TED via links to school administrators and special
education directors during board meetings and advocacy events
 Assist local school with new teacher mentoring using TED resources
 Encourage faculty colleagues I meet at other conferences to consider joining TED
and attending the TED conference, which is a particularly important networking
opportunity
 Are invited to write a textbook on Strengths-Based Approach to Autism through
Sage Publishing.
November, 2014
Teacher Education Division

3
Foster and develop teaching, research, and
evaluations skills of members.
Promote collaboration within content areas
between general and special education.
SSEPC members have participated in a number of Share-all’s and Syllabi shares
within the caucus.
SSEPC members:
 Collaborate on new mission statement, goals, and curriculum mapping at a
specific university, which includes sped standards in many of our general
education classes.
 Have published based on research in a general ed. middle school math class
 Developed a co-planning activity with students in a Science Methods course and
students in my Special Ed Methods course
 Are active on Teacher Education Advisory Board
 Met with local professional development administrators about providing local
support for inclusion

Increase member engagement.
SSEPC have been receiving regular SSEPC updates and tips usually on a monthly basis.
Engagement has also been increased through the new Facebook page.

Increase diversity and representation in the
membership.
Improve the dissemination of information
regarding research and other issues.




Develop nimble organizational structure.
Maintain and increase financial stability of
the organization.
SSEPC members have:
 Co-edited a special TEC edition on gifted education- and how to look for gifts and
talents among special populations
 Co-editor of the EDGE (Excellence and Diversity in Gifted Education) journal
with regular inclusion of twice-exceptional students
SSEPC does not have a reception if there is no Nasim Dil Teacher Award Awarded.
As a general rule, we do not spend more than we bring in for the silent auction. The
silent auction is our largest fundraiser.
Challenges / Needs
Action Items or New Initiative to be brought to the Board
Consider ways to keep retired faculty members involved, connected, and paying members of TED.
November, 2014