The Pennsylvania Federation of Chapters was organized by a Committee of Ten in Philadelphia on January 10, 1955. Dr. Jack Birch, Pittsburgh, was the chairman of the committee. The chapters, which organized the Federation, were the only ones in existence in PA at that time. The chapters were the Northwestern Chapter, the Western Chapter, and the PA Conference Chapter, which became known as the Eastern PA Chapter. The original and continuing purpose for organizing the Federation was "To further the development of the education, training, and care of exceptional children in accordance with the purposes and functions of Federations of Chapters as set forth in the Constitution of the National Council for Exceptional Children".

The number of chapters grew from three in 1956 to nine in 1959 to fifteen in 1960. In 1960, the first annual state convention for Special Education in PA sponsored entirely by the Federation was held in Bedford Springs. Attendance was 638. In 1961, the Second Annual Conference convened at Bedford Springs. The theme for 1961 was "Opening doors for Exceptional Children", and it was here that the "Keystone insignia bearing the open door with the two children" had its origination and has become the trademark on our newsletters, journals, and letterheads.

In 1961, the first Federation Newsletter came into being. This became the official publication and was published four times yearly to further unite and improve the communication among PA's professional personnel dealing with Exceptional Children. In 1961, the first student chapter was organized at Bloomsburg State College and became the Alpha Chapter #370. In 1961 at the Second Annual Conference at Bedford Springs, the First Honor Award was presented for outstanding and continuous contribution to Exceptional Children in PA.

An official charter was granted to the PA Federation # 255 on April 27, 1962 and was signed by Leo F. Cain, President, at National Headquarters in Washington, D.C.

On September 26, 1963 in Harrisburg, Governor William Scranton signed the first Governor's Proclamation for Exceptional Children's week in PA and this has become a tradition for the fall convention.

In 1964, the first Delegate Assembly was held in connection with the Annual Convention. In 1965, the magic number of 2005 membership was reached and PA became Number One, the largest federation in the nation. In 1971, the format of the Newsletter underwent a change and in 1972, the Newsletter was renamed the PA Federation Journal.

Extensive membership drives have continued the growth of the PA Federation and as of September 1, 1975, the total membership numbers 5018, in 33 regular chapters, 21 student chapters and 6 divisions. We now rank number two in the nation.

As the Federation grew, Divisions for Special Interest Groups evolved and thus six Divisions have been established in the PA Federation. The Division for the Visually Handicapped, DVH, was the first to organize. This division began about 1960. In 1966, TAG the Division for the Gifted was organized. In 1967, PATED, Teacher Education Division began. It underwent reorganization in 1975. In 1968, CASSE, the Division of the Council of Administrators and Supervisors of Special Education got under way. In 1970, the Division for Private Schools became organized and in 1972, PA CEC/MR, Division for the Mentally Retarded became the sixth division in the federation.

A long-time dream of the Federation was realized on January 2, 1974, when the first Executive Secretary was hired to serve the growing needs of the organization.

Data collected and written by Dr. Gertrude Barber, the First President of PAFCEC, 1955-56. The information was published in a booklet entitled " PA Council for Exceptional Children – 1955 – 1976. Keystones in Pennsylvania".