Subject:  Seeking Nominations for Parent Representation to the State Advisory Panel for Special Education

Source:  Barbara Scheidegger, Nominations Committee Chairperson, Special Education Advisory Panel

Intended Audience:  Parents of Children with Disabilities

Date:  April 28, 2005

 

The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education is seeking nominations for parent representation to the State Advisory Panel for Special Education.  The purpose of the Missouri Special Education Advisory Panel is to provide policy guidance on special education and related services and to carry out those specific and general functions set forth in the statutes.  The panel shall:

 

(1) Advise the State Education Agency (SEA) of unmet needs within the state in the education of children with disabilities.

(2) Comment publicly on any rules or regulations proposed by the state regarding the education of children with disabilities.

(3) Advise the SEA in developing evaluations and reporting on data to the U.S. Office of Education under Section 618 of the Act.

(4) Advise the SEA in developing corrective action plans to address findings identified in federal monitoring reports under Part B of the Act; and

(5) Advise the SEA in developing and implementing policies relating to the coordination of services for children with disabilities.

 

This panel shall hold at least four (4) scheduled meetings each calendar year in Jefferson City.  All reasonable and necessary expenses incurred by Panel members in the performance of their Panel membership duties will be paid by DESE.  Expenses include mileage to meetings, lodging, and meals.

 

Appointments to the State Advisory Panel for Special Education will be made by the Commissioner of Education.  Appointments are for three-year terms.  Most appointments are made to begin July 1 of each year.

 

Parents of children with disabilities who are receiving services at the early childhood, elementary, or middle school grades and who are interested in being considered for appointment or of having others considered are asked to complete a nomination form for each nominee and submit to DESE by May 13, 2005.  The nomination form and additional information about the Special Education Advisory Panel can be found at the following website: http://dese.mo.gov/divspeced/Administration/advisory_pnl.html (click on Special Education Advisory Panel).