Local Special Education Advisory Committees
Local special education advisory committees (SEACs) have a long history in Virginia. Every school division is required to have a SEAC as detailed in Regulations Governing Special Education Programs for Children with Disabilities in Virginia, effective January 25, 2010 (special education regulations).
The major purpose of SEACs is to provide an opportunity for parents and other school board appointees to have a voice in the way school divisions provide services to students with disabilities. SEACs are extensions of local school boards since members are appointed by them, and SEACs provide reports and recommendations to their school boards.
Products & Tools
A number of documents have been developed in partnership with the Center for Family Involvement at VCU to assist localities to improve the effectiveness of their local SEACs.
SEAC Guide (PDF) – A Guide for Local Special Education Advisory Committees in Virginia
SEAC Guide Tools (Word)
- Sample SEAC Member Job Description
- Sample SEAC Chairperson Job Description
- Sample Application for SEAC Membership
- Sample Brochure
- Sample SEAC Letter of Introduction
- Sample SEAC Membership Grid
- Sample SEAC Member Notebook Index
- Sample SEAC Self-Assessment
- Sample By-laws
- Essential Items to Include in SEAC By-laws
- Sample Annual SEAC Calendar
- Sample SEAC Ground Rules
- Sample Collaborative Structured Team Meeting Record Form
- Sample Listing of Committee Meeting Package
- Sample Public Comment Form and Guidelines
- Sample Format for a Report to the School Board
Annual Blueprint (PDF) – A Workbook for Completing an annual blueprint for a Local Special Education Advisory Committee in Virginia
SEAC Blueprint Tools (Word)
- Worksheet: Assessing Your Local SEAC's Stages of Development
- Worksheet: Reviewing Regulations & Re-orinting Members
- Worksheet: SEAC Recruitment Chart
- Worksheet: Sample SEC Orientation Session Agenda
- Worksheet: Fill in the Blank SEAC By-laws
- Worksheet: Sample SEAC Annual Calendar
- Worksheet: Forming SEAC Subcommittees
- Worksheet: SEAC Subcommittee Guidelines Form
- Worksheet: Local SEAC Community Outreach Worksheet
- Worksheet: SEAC Annual Blueprint for Addressing Organizational Needs
- Worksheet: Identifying Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats
- Worksheet: SEAC Annual Blueprint for Addressing Student Needs
- Self Assessment
- Planning Tool
Assistance & Contact Information
For information, training or assistance, contact:
- Hank Millward, Director
Division of Special Education and Student Services
Office of Specialized Education Facilities and Family Engagement
Virginia Department of Education
P.O. Box 2120, Richmond, VA 23218
804-371-0525 - State Special Education Advisory Committee (SSEAC) representatives-This is a Word document.