A Parent's Guide to Local Special Education Advisory Councils in Minnesota

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A PACER Center Training

• Written by Carolyn Anderson, PACER Parent Training Advocate

• with assistance from Barb Ziemke, PACER Parent Training Advocate

• Paula Goldberg, PACER Executive Director

• Funding provided by a grant from the Minnesota Department of Education

• © 2008, 2006 by PACER Center, Inc., 8161 Normandale Boulevard, Minneapolis, MN 55437,

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Table of Contents

• Introduction

• What is a SEAC?

• Why might I want to participate on a SEAC?

• What does the law say?

• How do I find my local SEAC?

• How do I join my local SEAC?

• How do I find my role on the SEAC?

• How can I help my SEAC to be effective?

• Missions and Goals

• Dealing with Conflict

• Post-test

• SEAC Resources

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Introduction

• Minnesota parents of children who are in special education may participate on special education advisory councils (SEACs) in their local school districts.

• Did you know that:

  • Every school district or cooperative must have a SEAC?

  • A SEAC must meet at least once a year?

  • At least half the members must be parents?

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What is a SEAC?

A SEAC is a group that provides input on special education issues to its local school district.

• Its purpose is to advise and to advocate, not to decide policy.

• Minnesota law requires each school district or cooperative to have a SEAC.

• Minnesota law does not say how the groups should be organized or what duties they should perform.

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Why are SEACs important?

• Local SEACs advise school districts on the development of programs and services to meet the special educational needs of children and families.

• Parents can help districts be more effective by sharing families' unique perspectives.

• As a result, outcomes for children can improve.

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Why might I want to participate on a SEAC?

Parents give many reasons:

• I may be able to help other families and children with disabilities in my district.

• I can share what I've learned since my child began his/her education.

• I can support school professionals in my district.

• I will be a good role model for my child.

• I feel good when I make a contribution to this community.

• I will learn information and skills that may help me work more effectively with my school district.

• I will meet parents and professionals with similar goals.

• I can build positive relationships with others in my district.

• I will become more knowledgeable about special education.

• By sharing my unique perspective and insights as a parent, I can help the school district work more effectively with families and improve outcomes for children.

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What the law says:

Minnesota Statutes 2005, section 125A.24

Parent Advisory Councils

"In order to increase the involvement of parents of children with disabilities in district policy making and decision making, school districts must have a special education advisory council that is incorporated into the district's special education system plan.

• (1) This advisory council may be established either for individual districts or in cooperation with other districts who are members of the same special education cooperative.

• (2) A district may set up this council as a subgroup of an existing board, council, or committee.

• (3) At least half of the designated council members must be parents of students with a disability.

• When a nonpublic school is located in the district, the council must include at least one member who is a parent of a nonpublic school student with a disability, or an employee of a nonpublic school if no parent of a nonpublic school student with a disability is available to serve.

• Each local council must meet no less than once each year.

• The number of members, frequency of meetings, and operational procedures are to be locally determined."

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How do I find my local SEAC?

• Call your school district's special education director.

• Contact PACER Center for information:

952-838-9000 metro area

952-838-0190 TTY

800-537-2237 statewide toll free

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How do I join my local SEAC?

Each school district determines SEAC membership differently:

• Some SEACs ask for applicants and appoint members and

• Others use volunteer members.

• Your district's special education director can explain how your SEAC works.

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Before joining a SEAC, you may want to attend a meeting to learn more about the group. Meetings are open to the public.

You may want to ask or observe:

• What is the written mission of this SEAC?

• Are there any bylaws? May I see them?

• How often does the SEAC meet? When? Where?

• How long does a member serve?

• Who does the council advise? How often? What is done with the advice?

• Who runs or chairs the meeting?

• Who sets the agenda?

• Is there an orientation for new members?

• Do additional committees or work groups meet outside of the regular meeting times?

• Who, in addition to parents, serves on this council?

• Are there annual reports or past meeting minutes I can read?

• Who can I contact for more information?

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You also may want to ask yourself these questions before joining a SEAC:

• Am I able to set aside the needs of my own child and look at the "big picture" in my district?

• Will my feelings make me less effective than I'd want to be?

• Can I set aside my own emotional issues?

• Is it a good use of my skills and time?

• What talents or strengths can I bring to this group?

• Can I commit the necessary time?

• Can my participation make a difference for children and families?

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How do I find my role on the SEAC?

Once you've joined your local SEAC, it will take time and patience to become a truly effective participant. These techniques can help you find your unique place in the group.

• Ask yourself if you feel welcome at the SEAC meeting. If not, ask yourself what you can do to improve the situation.

• Be willing to listen at first. Learn about the people, the issues, the programs, and background information before offering advice or opinions.

• Be willing to say "I don't know yet" or "I need more information in order to comment about that issue."

• Ask questions about anything you don't understand.

• If acronyms are used, ask if there is a list of acronyms and definitions to which you can refer.

• Ask where you can find information covered at previous meetings.

• Learn all you can about your school district's structure, policy, and administration.

• Do your homework. Read materials provided to participants.

• Come prepared to contribute.

• Think about your personal skills and how they might best be used. Are you a writer, speaker, computer expert, or technology professional? Are you politically savvy? Are you well organized, perceptive, verbal, and caring? SEACs can make use of many skills.

• Develop an understanding of the "big picture" issues facing the district – those beyond your own child and family.

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How can I help my SEAC to be effective?

• Encourage the group to look at its mission statement (if one exists) and answer these questions:

  • Does it provide direction for the group?

  • Is it clear?

  • Is there a need to write or rewrite a mission statement?
    
    

• Help clarify expectations:

  • Do members expect only to give advice, or do some also expect the advice to be followed?

  • How do members feel about this?

  • Do expectations need to be examined or made more clear?
    
    

• Be sure members treat one another with respect. Do parents listen to others' unique perception and experience?
  
  

• Distinguish between long- and short-term goals. Does this distinction need to be defined and made more clear?
  
  

• Discuss how conflict is handled.

  • Does the group look for consensus and solutions?

  • Are different viewpoints valued?
    
    

• Help the group find the information it needs to make decisions.
  
  

• Suggest that the group adopt communication ground rules.
  
  

• Encourage diversity by including parents with the cultures, languages, and disabilities represented in your district.
  
  

• Be sure that meetings are run in a timely, organized way.
  
  

• Make and follow an agenda.
  
  

• Support productive decision making. Are conclusions reached by consensus, or do discussions continue with no resolution or consensus?

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Missions and Goals

SEACs that have a clear mission and goals tend to be productive and effective. Here are some examples of mission and goal statements from Minnesota SEACs:

• Support, advocate, and advise on special education matters.

• Advise the director on special education-related issues and engage in at least one substantial project each year.

• Provide a forum for parents and staff to share ideas, identify concerns, and advise the district, in order to improve services for children with disabilities.

• Provide input into the decision-making process of the special education department. Provide a communication link with the community at large. Advocate for high-quality educational programs for all learners.

• Other examples are available from PACER Center.

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Dealing with conflict

SEAC members come from a variety of backgrounds and perspectives. As a result, differences of opinion will inevitably arise. Through flexibility and compromise, your group can resolve its conflicts, reach consensus, strengthen relationships, and accomplish goals.

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Here are some questions you and the other members may want to ask yourselves as you deal with differences of opinion:

• Am I contributing to the conflict or to a resolution?

• Are we being respectful to one another?

• Have we defined the "problem" before starting to propose solutions? (We may be disagreeing because we aren't solving the same "problem.")

• Are we staying within our mission or goal statement?

• Can I meet privately with the special education director about a particular SEAC issue?

• Are we talking about individual children or looking at services for all of them?

• Will it help if we brainstormed solutions, with no interruptions or evaluations until the list is complete?

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Post-test

Test yourself to see what you've learned!

• What does the acronym SEAC mean?

• What percentage of members must be parents of children with disabilities?

• What is the minimum number of SEAC meetings required?

• How can a parent find their local SEAC?

• Is the SEAC an appropriate place to talk about my child's individual needs?

• What are some skills parents might bring to a SEAC?

• What is one tip that might help with conflict resolution?

• Where can I obtain more information on SEACs?

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Do you have questions or need more information?

• E-mail your questions to SEACSupport@pacer.org

• For more information, go to http://www.mnseacinfo.org

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Further Resources

At www.pacer.org

• Keys to Success in the Special Education Advisory Council (SEAC) Parent-School Partnership

• Increasing Parent Involvement in Special Education Committees, Councils and Boards

• Disability-related Interagency, Special Education Council, and Committee Opportunities

• IEP (Individual Effectiveness Plan) for Parent Members of Local Special Education Advisory Council (SEAC)

• Key Questions for Special Education Advisory Council (SEAC) Parent Members to Ask

• Know Your School District: Tips for Parent Members of Local Special Education Advisory Councils (SEAC)

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At http://nichcy.org

• Serving on Boards and Committees, National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities, 1998

At www.familycenteredcare.org

• Words of Advice: A Guidebook for Families Serving as Advisors, Thomas, Josie, and Jeppson, Elizabeth, Bethesda, MD: Institute for Family-Centered Care, 1997

At www.education.state.mn.us

• Special Education Advisory Panel (SEAP) Manual, MN Technical Assistance for Family Support and MN Department of Children, Families & Learning, 2003

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