Special Education

Announcing Vacancies on the State Special Education Advisory Council - Please Respond by October 31, 2017

The State Special Education Advisory Council (SAC) of the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education announces that it is seeking candidates for three vacancies for the following statutorily designated positions:

• parent of children with disabilities, ages 3–22 (two vacancies)
• person with a disability(ies) (at least one vacancy)

Interested individuals are encouraged to submit a resume and letter of interest by Tuesday, October 31, 2017 to the address below. Members are appointed to serve a three-year term, and may serve up to two consecutive terms.

Background

The Massachusetts Education Reform Act of 1993 established the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education's Advisory Councils, including the Special Education Advisory Council, to advise the Board and the Commissioner on matters related to their specific areas of focus for the purpose of enhancing efforts to improve public education and advance student achievement. The SAC also derives its authority from federal special education law, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). IDEA requires that each state establish and maintain an advisory council for the purpose of advising the Department regarding the education of eligible children with disabilities.

The responsibilities of the SAC include: advising on unmet needs within the state in the education of children with disabilities; commenting on proposed rules and regulations involving special education; advising in developing evaluations and corrective action plans; and assisting in the developing and implementing policies related to serving children with disabilities in our schools. The council's membership includes a diverse group of individuals reflecting both the state and federal statutory requirements of membership, including agency designees.

The councils are charged with policy matters or tasks each year, and report to the State Director of Special Education, the Commissioner and the Board at the end of the school year. The SAC is comprised of a wide range of diverse constituents including parents, educators, parents, individuals with disabilities, school administrators, and representatives of other child and family serving agencies with interest and experience in the area of special education.

Advisory councils meet approximately four times a year at locations and times determined by their members, and then announced on their website. Members are appointed by the Commissioner for a term of three years. The SAC will meet during the 2017-2018 school year on September26, December 12, March 13, and May 8.

Applying

If interested, please submit a letter of intent and resume to akrukonis@doe.mass.edu or by mail to:

Amy Krukonis
Office of Public School Monitoring
Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
436 Dwight Street, B40
Springfield, MA 01103

Please contact Ms. Krukonis if you have any questions.

Applications must be received by close of business, Tuesday, October 31, 2017.