Our Partnerships

The following professional organizations work in partnership with Columbus Educational Services to ensure quality staff and services to our clients.

AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS---WOMEN AND EMERGING LEADERS CONFERENCE
http/www.aasa.org/conferences

Dr. Paul Houston, Executive Director

The American Association of School Administrators, founded in 1865, is the professional organization for more than 13,000 educational leaders across America and in many other countries. 
AASA is proud to announce the format for the annual Women and Emerging Leaders Conference.  The conference format is aimed at: 

• those new to the superintendency
• those aspiring to become education leaders
• and those experienced in their role as superintendents and looking to mentor others

Designed to encourage networking, the 2006 program covers a multitude of career-boosting topics, including life balance, board evaluations, speed networking, the implications of change in public education, student achievement, health and wellness, child development programs, ethics, minority achievement and leadership.

THE COUNCIL OF ADMINISTRATORS OF SPECIAL EDUCATION
http://www.case.org

Dr. Luann Purcell, Executive Director

The Council of Administrators of Special Education (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 mission of the Council of Administrators of Special Education, Inc. is to provide leadership and support to members by shaping policies and practices which impact the quality of education.

(CASE) has an international membership base. Because of its large membership base and its existence for over 50 years it has proven to be an effective influential organization which provides powerful support to its membership.

THE COUNCIL OF THE GREAT CITY SCHOOLS
http://www.cgcs.org

Dr. Mike Casserly, Executive Director

The Council of the Great City Schools (CGCS) is a coalition of 66 of the nation's largest urban public school systems. Founded in 1956 and incorporated in 1961, the Council is located in Washington D.C., where it works to promote urban education through legislation, research, media relations, instruction, management, technology, and other special projects designed to improve the quality of urban education. The Council serves as the national voice for urban educators, providing ways to share promising practices and address common concerns.

There are 10,270 Great City schools. School districts are eligible for membership in the Council of the Great City Schools if they are located in cities with populations over 250,000 and student enrollments over 35,000. School districts with general urban characteristics located in the largest city of any state are also eligible for membership regardless of size.

THE INSTITUTE FOR SMALL AND RURAL DISTRICTS---FLORDIA
http://www.nefec.org/isrd/

Dr. Renee Speisman, Executive Director

The Institute for Small and Rural Districts (ISRD) serves district-level and school-based administrators in the 34 small and rural districts in Florida. The mission of ISRD is to improve outcomes for students with disabilities and students who are gifted in small and rural school districts through staff development, information dissemination, technical assistance, product development, and support for district initiatives. They work in collaboration with the Florida Department of Education and other state agencies to ensure that administrators are well informed about important issues in order to enhance educational opportunities for students.

The Institute provides its 34 members with customized services including information dissemination, technical assistance, professional product development and specific professional development is areas such RTI, NCLB, transition and IDEA04.

NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF STATE DIRECTORS OF SPECIAL EDUCATION
http://www.nasdse.org

Dr. Bill East, Executive Director

The National Association of State Directors of Special Education (NASDSE) is a professional organization representing the state administrators of education programs for children and youth with disabilities in the 50 states and federal jurisdictions. Members have responsibility for directing, coordinating or supervising programs and services for the education of students with disabilities. NASDSE offers affiliate memberships to all who are interested.

The membership and staff of the National Association of State Directors of Special Education are committed to a standards-based education system responsive to the needs of all children - especially those with disabilities. Since 1938, NASDSE has been building on its reputation as a services-focused organization to help state agencies promote and support specially designed instruction and related services for children and youth with disabilities. NASDSE's activities are intended to provide professional support to its members and others interested in special education and to promote the vision that all students can learn to higher levels.

THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF PRIVATE SPECIAL EDUCATION CENTERS
http://www.napsec.org

Sherry L. Kolbe, Executive Director and CEO

The National Association of Private Special Education Centers (NAPSEC) is a non-profit association whose mission is to represent private special education centers and their leaders. They promote high quality programs for individuals with disabilities and their families and advocate for access to the continuum of alternative placements and services.

NAPSEC represents about 300 programs nationally, and over 500 at the state level through the Council of Affiliated State Associations. NAPSEC programs provide special education for both privately and publicly placed individuals. The majority of the membership serves publicly placed individuals who are funded through the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Ten percent of the membership provide services to privately placed individuals only and receive no federal funding.

THE URBAN SPECIAL EDUCATION LEADERSHIP COLLABORATIVE
http://www.urbancollaborative.org

Dr. David Riley, Executive Director

The Urban Special Education Leadership Collaborative is a network of special and general education leaders working together to improve outcomes for students with disabilities in the nation's urban schools. The Collaborative provides opportunities for these professionals to network, participate in cutting edge professional development, share “what works and why” research and obtain personalized technical assistance.

The Urban Special Education Leadership Collaborative has members in thirty states. Its members especially value the customized professional development programs that target pressing issues affecting urban special and general education.