PARENT ADVISORY COUNCIL (SEAC)

What is the advisory council?
The Special Education Advisory Council (SEAC) is a collaborative forum where parents of children receiving special education and the district can work together for continuous improvement of special education services.

SEAC members sought!
If you are a parent or a provider to a special education student, please consider serving on this council.  If your child has a primary need in the areas under "Who is on the council?" or if you are interested in representing your community agency, we need you now. Those interested in learning more about SEAC are encouraged to come to a meeting. This is a great opportunity to increase your awareness of special education while providing valuable input. 

Who is on the council?
The council is comprised of parent representatives for children with the following challenges:
  • Autism (ASD), Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DHH), Deaf-Blind (D-B), Developmental Cognitive Disability (DCD), Emotional or Behavioral Disorders (EBD), Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE), Other Health Disabilities (OHD), Physically Impaired (PI), Specific Learning Disability (SLD), Speech or Language Impairments (SLP), Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), Visually Impaired (VI) and Severe Multiple Impairment (SMI)
  • Also parent representatives for:  general education, non-public school, School Board and community agency representatives
  • Also rotating members from the School Board and representatives from various organizations for school-aged special education students
 
What is the council objective?
  • Provide leadership in the continuous improvement of the Special Education Programs
  • Advise the GCED Director and District Administration
  • Provide a forum for discussion of district, local, state and national programs and policies which affect special education services
  • Provide input and recommendations regarding special education
  • Advocate for high quality special education programming and facilitate communication among schools, families and community members
 
Questions?  Please contact:
Cherie Johnson, GCED Executive Director
651-388-4441
cjohnson@gced.k12.mn.us


To view SEAC documents, click on the red links below.
What is expected from council representatives?
  • Desire to help improve programming for all special education students
  • Willingness to read current literature relating to special education best-education practices
  • Willingness to listen to the opinions of others and contribute ideas and perspectives
  • Ability to work in a team atmosphere
  • Regular attendance at meetings

What is the council time commitment?
  • Council meets six times during the school year, from September through May
  • Three meetings are held on Monday evenings from 5:00 – 6:30 p.m. and three are held on Wednesday afternoons from 12:00 – 1:30 p.m.