Special Education

Vacancies on the State Special Education Advisory Council — Respond by April 30, 2019

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

• parent of children with disabilities, ages 3–22
• related service personnel and/or educator
• Representative of an Institution of Higher Education that prepares special education and related services personnel

The Department prioritizes diversity of membership in its selection of new members. Interpretation services are available upon request. Interested individuals are encouraged to submit a resume and letter of interest by April 30, 2019 to the address below.

Background

The Massachusetts Education Reform Act of 1993 established the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education's Advisory Councils to advise the Board and the Commissioner on matters related to their specific areas of focus to enhance efforts of improving public education and advance student achievement. The Massachusetts Special Education Advisory Panel 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 panel with its purpose of advising the Department regarding the education of eligible children with disabilities.

The responsibilities of the Panel 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 panel's membership includes a diverse group of individuals reflecting both the state and federal statutory requirements of membership, including agency designees.

The Panel is charged with policy matters or tasks each year, and reports to the State Director of Special Education, the Commissioner and the Board at the end of the school year. The Panel is comprised of a wide range of diverse constituents including parents, educators, 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 five 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 final dates the Panel will meet during the 2018-2019 school year are April 9 and June 4.

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, April 30, 2019.