President's Message-March 2026

I am honored to serve as president of CEC’s Division for Research (CEC-DR). At the beginning of the fall semester, I asked Dr. Linda Lewis to speak to the CEC-DR Executive Board to better understand the origins of the division. The CEC-DR was established in the late 1980s so that CEC researchers had a voice in shaping and advancing federal research partnerships aimed at addressing the educational needs of individuals with disabilities and their families. This was a critical time in education with the enactment of disability related federal and state laws, where the need for rigorous research was crucial in informing policy, preparation, and practice. The DR founders had two main goals: (1) establish a forum across CEC divisions that focused on research, and (2) improve understanding of the relevance and need for rigorous research to improve the outcomes of individuals with disabilities (for more details, please read Origins of the Division for Research on our website). As a board, we felt and continue to feel the weight of this legacy, and it has helped to strengthen our commitment to (a) the advancement of high-quality, impactful research related to individuals with disabilities and/or who are gifted, their families, and the practitioners who serve them; (b) the cultivation of the next generation of special education leaders, and (c) the importance of listening to and advocating alongside individuals with disabilities and their families.

In light of the ongoing federal actions targeting services for students, families, and vulnerable populations, the CEC-DR Executive Board has diligently worked over the past year in multiple ways. 

Here are just a few highlights:

• Dr. Steve Ciullo and Dr. Kristabel Stark provide a monthly policy newsletter to keep membership up to date on research, funding, and policy. In each newsletter, they also provide policy “homework”, meaning actionable steps you can take as a DR member. They were also involved in the Special Education Legislative Summit in 2025 to advocate for special education. Additionally, CEC-DR has signed onto numerous timely letters.
• CEC-DR has two active podcasts. Dr. Federico Waitoller continues to lead the DiveIn (Diving into Special Education’s Most Complex and Pressing Debates) podcast, which explores timely and  relevant special education topics. Additionally, in the SPED Legacy podcast, Dr. John Romig interviews individuals who have made significant contributions to special education.
• Multiple timely webinars are forthcoming from both CEC-DR’s Knowledge Utilization Committee and the Research and Families of Individuals with Disabilities Committee. These learning opportunities are aimed to support  membership in navigating the current context. Keep a look out for further information!
• Given that the future of our field depends on cultivating the next generation of leaders, CEC-DR is committed to supporting early career scholars, doctoral students, and emerging researchers via professional learning, mentorship, and collaboration opportunities. In support of these efforts, we have asked two new doctoral student representatives (Chauntea Cummings and Madison Ross) to join the DR Executive Board.
• As part of our efforts to strengthen CEC-DR, we continue to examine and update (as needed) our bylaws,  procedures, and website. We voted on our bylaws at the CEC-DR Business meeting, which took place during the 2026 CEC Convention.

We are only as strong as our membership, and standing together is crucial during these unprecedented times. Your continued support is essential whether through maintaining your DR membership, participating in our events, listening to DR podcasts, taking action as outlined in our policy newsletter, serving as a mentor, and/or joining one of our committees. Also, you, as members, shape the direction of DR’s work. Please reach out to share your insights with me and/or the DR Executive Board.

I cannot express enough gratitude to each of you for your commitment to CEC-DR and our mission. It is because of your dedication, expertise, and engagement that our mission can be realized—improving the lives of individuals with disabilities, their families, and educational professionals via quality and impactful research!