March 8, 2022
6:13 pm
Advocacy in Action: A Guide to Local Special Education Parent Advisory Committees
RIPIN presented an overview to special education directors, parent leaders, and others with an interest in parent engagement at the local level. The very teamwork and collaboration that are at the core of IDEA are also at the core of a best practice in special education (Local Special Education Parent Advisory Councils). This presentation includes a walkthrough of the national guidebook, Advocacy in Action: A Guide to Local Special Education Parent Advisory Councils and includes tips on engaging parents on system change through Rhode Island’s Special Education Local Advisory Committees.
For more information, visit our webinar: Special Education Local Advisory Committees Webinar
______________________________
January 3, 2020
2:51 pm
Parent involvement and parent-professional collaboration are key factors in improving outcomes for students with disabilities. The mechanism put in place to provide the opportunity for collaboration to take place is the state-level Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC). Rhode Island’s legal requirement gives ALL districts the responsibility and authority to ensure parents have the opportunity to be involved.
Please read further for more information: Why are Special Education Advisory Committees Needed?
December 9, 2019
3:38 pm
The very teamwork and collaboration that are at the core of IDEA are also at the core of a best practice in special education: Local Special Education Parent Advisory Councils (SEPACs).
An effective SEPAC (or Local Advisory Committee – LAC) takes the teamwork of the IEP process one step further, putting parents in the role of advisors who use their family’s experiences, unique perspectives, and expertise to influence decisions and help shape programs and policies at the local level.
An effective SEPAC is more than a meeting – it is an approach and a mindset that truly values the advice of parents. When parent advisors are valued and engaged through local SEPACs, they can work together with school district staff and community leaders to improve education, not only for those with disabilities but for all children.
The Center for Parent Information and Resources offers this guide as a road map to help bring stakeholders together, suggests strategies to help them engage in dialogue, and discusses best practices to help them work together to benefit the local community. It draws on experience and practice from states in which Local Advisory Committees (LACs) have been in operation for decades. Rhode Island school districts are encouraged to use this guide in developing and maintaining their Local Advisory Committees on Special Education (LAC).
To use this interactive guidebook, open the below link and click on Table of Contents at the top of the page on the right. A window will open and allow you to download templates, resources and website links.
December 9, 2019
3:31 pm
This presentation was shared by RIPIN at the 11/7/19 Special Education Advisory Network meeting. This is to be used as an introduction to the new technical assistance guidebook “Advocacy In Action: A Guide to Local Special Education Parent Advisory Councils.”
SEAN Meeting – 11.7.19 (NEW T.A. Guidebook)
