Special Education Advisory Panel

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) requires that each state establish and maintain an advisory panel for the purpose of advising the State special education staff regarding the education of eligible children with disabilities. Federal regulations (34 C.F.R. §300.169) define responsibilities for each state panel as follows:

Advise the state on unmet needs in the education of children with disabilities,
Comment publicly on any rules and regulations proposed by the state regarding the education of children with disabilities;
Advise the state in developing evaluations and reporting on data as required by federal special education laws;
Advise the state in developing corrective action plans for U.S. Department of Education; and
Advise the state in developing and implementing policies relating to coordination of services for children with disabilities.

Vermont Statute, 16 V.S.A. §2945, created the Advisory Council on Special Education and appointments to this council are made by the Governor’s Office with the advice from the Secretary of Education.

Special Education Advisory Panel Bylaws (March 29, 2024)

Please see Upcoming Meetings for meeting dates and times.

Membership

The Special Education Advisory Panel consists of up to 37 members, appointed by the Governor with the advice of the Secretary. The majority of Panel members shall either be individuals with disabilities or parents of children with disabilities. Members of the Panel serve a term of three years or until their successors are appointed. Terms begin on July 1 of the year of appointment.

Application Form

We ask interested applicants to attend a meeting of the Special Education Advisory Panel prior to submitting an application. Once application has been submitted the Panel will vote on sending the application to the Secretary of Education and the Vermont Governor for appointment. Applicants are encouraged to attend Panel meetings while application being reviewed for approval.

AOE Liaison to the Special Education Advisory Panel
Vermont Agency of Education
1 National Life Drive, Davis 5
Montpelier, VT 05620-2501

Email to: AOE.SpecialEd@vermont.gov
Questions: (802) 828-1256