Diversity Caucus

The Diversity Caucus is an an affiliate of the Teacher Education Division (TED) of The Council for Exceptional Children (CEC). We conceive of diversity, for our purposes, as learners who have educationally associated difficulty related to cultural, ethnicity, national origin, language, disability, sexual orientation, social economic status, environment, age, gender, or religion. 

The purpose of the Diversity Caucus shall be to:

• Make recommendations to the Executive Committee of TED on matters pertaining to diversity issues which relate to special education, teacher education and the profession in the preparation of teachers for student diversity and to the recruitment and retention of faculty and students from under-represented groups; 
• Implement opportunities for TED members to expand their knowledge base and comprehension related to preparing teachers to work with groups from diverse backgrounds and the recruitment/retention of faculty and students from under-represented groups; 
• Facilitate collaboration between TED, other divisions of CEC, and other education-related organizations in order to work jointly with these organizations in preparing teachers to work with groups from diverse backgrounds and the inclusion of students with disabilities in general education classes; 
• Encourage active participation of under represented groups in TED membership and leadership; 
• Disseminate information and encourage research related to the preparation of teachers to work with groups from diverse backgrounds and the recruitment/retention of faculty and students from under-represented groups; 
• Make recommendations to other divisions of CEC regarding issues related to the preparation of teachers to work with groups from diverse backgrounds; and 
• Engage in grant writing or other efforts to solicit funding to support the functions of the caucus.

Preamble: The Diversity Caucus conceptualizes diversity in the broadest sense. The caucus welcomes new members and those interested in serving on the executive board from across all social and political backgrounds. The executive board envisions a caucus that is comprised of individuals with diverse identities, experiences, and thought so as to continually address the issues that matter most to all TED members.

The Board of the Diversity Caucus furthers the mission of the Caucus by communicating with TED Executive Committee members related to issues of interest to Caucus members. We facilitate relationships with other TED committees, SIGs, and Caucuses to offer programming and experiences that build TED members' ability to further support faculty and students from underrepresented groups. We also disseminate information to our members about diversity, equity, and inclusion issues and events and support initiatives developed by our members that further the Caucus's mission and goals.

Chair of Diversity Caucus	Dr. Morris-Mathews is an Assistant Professor in the School of Special Education, School Psychology, and Early Childhood Studies at the University of Florida. Her research focuses on special educators’ experiences of professional socialization—the process by which individuals integrate the knowledge, norms, and values of a profession into their identity—and how this process influences their professional practice. “I see the Diversity Caucus as an organization that pushes my teaching and scholarship beyond the status quo; it is a space where I am continually challenged by my colleagues to consider how my research, teaching, and scholarship centers equity and justice.
Associate Chair	Dr. Dia Jackso is a senior researcher at American Institutes for Research. Dr. Jackson leads state and district-level technical assistance and research projects in special education around equity and instructional best practices for students with disabilities. Dr. Jackson also works with the two national technical assistance centers, the Collaboration for Effective Educator Development, Accountability (CEEDAR) and Reform and Promoting Rigorous Outcomes and Growth by Redesigning Educational Services for Students With Disabilities Center (PROGRESS) “I see the diversity caucus as…”
Membership Chair	Dr. Wendy Rogers Wendy Rodgers is an Assistant Professor of Special Education in the department of Early Childhood, Multilingual, and Special Education at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Her research focuses on co-teaching and collaboration, effective practices for inclusion, and classroom observation. “I see the diversity caucus as…”
Treasurer	Dr. David Peyton is an Assistant Professor of Special Education in the department of Reading Education and Special Education at Appalachian State University, NC. His research focuses on the development, observation, improvement, and assessment of special education teaching quality, as well as the policies and practices of special education teacher preparation programs. “I see the diversity caucus as a community that offers frank conversations, accepts individuals where they are, and encourages individual growth through productive, ongoing, and at times, uncomfortable dialogue”

• Establish/update web presence by having an active diversity caucus web page with the ability for membership to pay dues directly through the site by May 2021.
• Actively recruit at least 25 new members to the Diversity Caucus by December of 2021. To this end, we will have a table at TED 2021 advertising the caucus, our goals, and the benefits of membership.
• Share the expertise of Diversity Caucus members to highlight innovative research and teaching through video interviews and scholarship highlights on our website.
• Offer professional growth opportunities related to diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice for TED members in Fall 2021 based on diversity caucus member input. 
• Continue efforts at collaboration with other TED SIGs/Committees to support diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice; collaborate to put on one event at TED in Fall 2021.