What is SpEd PAC?

The Special Education Parent Advisory Council is a state mandated advisory committee for parents of students on an IEP. Other interested parties are always welcome at meetings, but only parents of students on an IEP may serve as officers. Our purpose and goals are:

• To be recoginized as an organized and professional group of caring and knowledgeable parents by the committee
• To be a link between parents and administrators
• To learn about state and federal special education laws and changes to those laws
• To profide training and information to parents and educators
• To be a forum for discussion on program planning and implementation
• To advise and update the school committee on special education issues

• Parents are equal members of the IEP Team
• Students are entitled to a free and appropiate public education
• Students are entitled to comprehensive, non-discriminating, and complete evaluations by trained professionals within 30 school days of referral
• Parent consent is required prior to evaluation of re-evaluation
• Schools must ensure that, to the maximum extent appropriate, students with disabilities should be educated with their non-disabled peers
• Parents have considerable rights to agree or disagree with proposals from the school district. This includes IEPs, placement issues, and therapeutic service issues
• Parents have the right to representation and support from persons of their choice at all TEAM meetings
• The rights of parent transfer to the student at the age of 18 unless guardianship has been established.

• Request a pre-evaluation conference
• Have a clear vision
• Request copies of evaluations prior to meetings
• Write your own parent report
• Review evaluations and school work
• Make a list of points to cover at the meeting
• Invite someone to go with you for support