State Advisory Panel

[charliegirl]

www.wrightslaw.com/heath/state.advisory.panel.htm

What is your state advisory panel ? Who is on it? How you can be involved in it and help make a difference.

[misty]

I wasn't sure exactly what a state advisory panel was so I took a look & learned something! For anyone else who isn't sure:

"Each state has an advisory panel. The panel provides your State Department of Education guidance about special education and related services for children with disabilities.

Your state advisory panel can help ensure that the quality of special education services and service providers improves and that your state special education regulations are consistent with the federal special education regulations published in August 2006.

Members must be representative of the population in the state and must be "individuals involved in, or concerned with, the education of children with disabilities, including -

1. parents of children with disabilities (ages birth through 26);
2. individuals with disabilities;
3. teachers"



I never knew I could do such a thing with no experience other than being a parent! The link CG gave goes on to tell you just how you can make a diference too!

Great link, by the way!

[jj]

Well, that advisory committeee must be a best kept secret because I have never heard of it before. What a opportunity for parents to get their point of view known!

I would love to know how many states actually have a panel with a good mix of teachers, parents of children with LD's, and individuals with disabilites. I'll bet anything there are mostly teachers sitting on that advisory panel. (I hope I'm wrong)

Thanks so much to both of you. Now if I ever run across anyone who want to help make changes I'll point them in this directionn.

[charliegirl]

This is in the article "A majority of the members of the panel must be individuals with disabilities or parents of children with disabilities." so we do have an opportunity to make our voices be heard. Now that Wrightslaw has let all their members know about it, hopefully there will be some really informed parents on the boards for every state.

[jj]

Good deal! Thanks Charliegirl.