Friday, May 7, 2010

Join the California Special Education Advisory Committee

Did you know that there is a Special Education Advisory Committee that advises the California Department of Education's Office of Administrative Hearing? The committee provides non-binding recommendations to the Office of Administrative Hearings for improvements to the special education hearing and mediation process. Examples of areas the committee advises on are: revisions to the OAH website, forms, documents, scheduling procedures, staff training, training materials, the parent procedure manual, the consumer brochure, outreach to families, and proposed revisions to laws and rules.

The Office of Administrative Hearings is now accepting applications to join the Advisory Committee. Membership on the committee is voluntary and each committee member serves a one year term. New applications are accepted each May. To apply for Advisory Committee membership, please submit the completed and signed application, as well as a statement of interest outlining your experience and other reasons why you wish to serve as a member of the Advisory Committee. Applications are due by the close of business on May 28, 2010.

The Advisory Committee is composed of two regions, the Southern California Region and the Northern California Region and meets twice per year. One meeting is held in each region in October and April. Advisory Committee members are expected to attend their regional meeting in October and April and may be consulted between meetings. All meetings are open to the public and a period of public comment will be included at each meeting. Our regions' meetings are held held in Sacramento at the California Department of Education, 1430 N Street, Room 1101.

Further information on the role of the Advisory Committee is contained in the Scope of Work between the California Department of Education and the Office of Administrative Hearings. Information on past activities of the committee can be found HERE. Meetings are also broadcast by live webcast.

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