PAAC on SEAC

SEAC Provincial ConferenceMay 2nd, 2015

30 years of supporting SEACs across the Province: What we’ve learned as the Provincial Parent Association

Advisory Committee

Who we areProvincial Parent Association

Advisory Committee on Special Education Advisory Committees

Established 1983 by provincial parent associations to share information and support SEAC members

Informal group meets approximately 6 -8 times a year

Participates in Ministry of Education consultations

PAAC on SEAC Voice• Only organization that brings together provincial

organizations that support SEAC members• Forum for sharing of effective practices• Voice for SEAC issues and concerns at the provincial

level• Ability to reach majority of SEAC members through

association members

PAAC on SEAC Membership

• Association for Bright Children of Ontario• Community Living Ontario• Down Syndrome Association of Ontario• Easter Seals Ontario• Epilepsy Ontario• Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Ontario Network

of Expertise• Integration Action for Inclusion in Education and

Community• Learning Disabilities Association of Ontario

PAAC on SEAC Membership

• Ontario Association for Families of Children with Communication Disorders • Ontario Brain Injury Association• Ontario Federation for Cerebral Palsy• Parents for Children’s Mental Health• Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus Association of

Ontario• Tourette Syndrome Foundation of Canada• VIEWS for Blind/Low vision children• VOICE for Hearing Impaired Children

Activities

Monthly PAAC on SEAC membership meetings

Bi-monthly meet with Ministry representatives

Annual PAAC on SEAC CalendarWebsite www.paac-seac.caNovember 2010 – Effective Practices

Handbook Spring 2009/Spring 2014 – SEAC

Effectiveness Surveys

PAAC on SEAC Calendar

• 53% of English/ 73% of French Board reps use the calendar sometimes or never• “Where is it found. Sounds very

relevant”• “Haven’t a clue!”• “I do not know”

• Example: NOVEMBER• October Report Data: Request numbers of

exceptional students, placement data, suspensions expulsions data

• IEP Update: Request confirmation that all first term IEP reviews are completed

PAAC on SEAC Website•www.paac-seac.ca

• PAAC on SEAC Annual Calendar• PAAC on SEAC Effective Practices handbook for SEAC Members (2010)• PAAC on SEAC Supporting Effective SEACs 2013• PAAC on SEAC Survey of SEAC members 2014

PAAC on SEAC Effectiveness Survey

• 2009• 50 Boards out of 72• 136 Respondents• 24 Associations

• 2014• 50 Boards• 178 Respondents• 20 Associations

PAAC on SEAC Effectiveness Survey

• Identified SEAC strengths:• Collaboration• Positive relationships with staff• Engaged and valued members

• Key Challenges:• SEAC participation• Membership and recruitment• Orientation and training• Parent engagement

PAAC on SEAC Effectiveness Survey Results

SEAC Participation• 91% felt that their school board welcomed input and

discussion from SEAC always or most of the time……BUT• “Inability to effect change”• “Advisory committee only”• “Opinions respected but rarely implemented”

PAAC on SEAC Effectiveness Survey ResultsOrientation and Training

• 21% responded never or not sure about receiving training upon joining SEAC• “I would like to see training opportunities for

members and more collaborative leadership initiated by SEAC”• “Not familiar with 464/97”

PAAC on SEAC Effectiveness Survey Results

Parent Engagement• “One of the top three SEAC functional aspects

needing improvement”• “Many parents have asked why they are not

being informed about the associations within our community that sit on SEAC and serve families.”

PAAC on SEAC Effectiveness Survey Results

Member Recruitment• 73% of English/20% of French said they could

recruit/retain members always or most of the time• “We need more association members. We

currently have two….The existence of SEAC…should be advertised extensively to parents….We are a very well-kept secret!”

PAAC on SEAC Handbook• First PAAC on SEAC handbook

created in 1985• Several revisions, most recent

in 2010 electronic format• 46% of survey respondents in

2014 said they were offered the handbook• “Where can you get it?

Sounds useful.”• “I have not been made

aware of this publication.”

Handbook Contents

1. Introduction and Background2. Membership3. SEAC Roles and Responsibilities4. Information and Knowledge Transfer5. SEAC Meeting Processes 6. Provincial and Local Parent Associations

Appendices include Regulation 464/97, PAAC on SEAC 2009 Survey Questions and Results

Section 1: Background

• Many recommendations were made, some for SEAC and some for the School Boards regarding SEAC• Each PAAC on SEAC recommendation is in bold• Effective practices have been identified by

provincial parent associations from the experience of SEAC members• SEACs are encouraged to consider whether the

practice is one that might be useful for their SEAC.

For example:

Effective Practices to support financial literacy of SEAC members include:a.Sharing of Ministry of Education resource materials regarding special education funding, including PowerPoints and Webinars, with SEAC members.b.Providing SEAC members with written materials about special education funding, including definitions of key terms, in SEAC Orientation Manuals.c.Regular presentations on the school board budget and financial statements at SEAC meetings.d.Presenting financial information to SEAC members in easy to understand language with visuals

Section 2: Membership

Section includes information and effective practices related to : • Local association Representatives• Trustees• First Nations Representatives• Additional Members• Membership Nomination Process• Replacing SEAC Members and Filling Vacancies

Section 3: SEAC Roles and Responsibilities

• Annual Planning and Annual SEAC Goals• Special Education Programs and Services

Development and Delivery• Special Education Reports• Board Improvement Planning for student

achievement• Special education Budget and Financial

Statements• Public Access and Consultation• Evaluation of SEAC

Section 4:Information and Knowledge Transfer• Orientation and Training• SEAC Orientation Manual

• Member Skills and Relationships• Preparation List for SEAC members

• Member Recognition

Section 5:SEAC Meeting Processes

• Administrative Support• SEAC Agendas• Parliamentary Procedures• Quorum• SEAC Motions• Minority Reports• Chair and Vice Chair Appointments• Meeting Evaluation

Section 6:Provincial and Local Parent Associations

• Local and Provincial Association Support• How Local Associations can support SEAC

members• How Provincial Parent Associations can

support SEAC members• Representing the Local and Provincial Associations

• How to share information from local and provincial parent associations

Appendices1. Regulation 464/972. PAAC on SEAC Survey Questions3. PAAC on SEAC Survey Results4. Additional Resources

Next Steps• Increase awareness of PAAC on SEAC• Communications with SEACs across the province• Presentations/Sharing of resources

• Application to Ministry of Education Parent Engagement Office for Parents Reaching Out Grant• Create training modules to cover areas of need from the

Effectiveness Survey – Member recruitment, Orientation/Training, Special Education funding, budget, and plan

• Continue to expand membership

Questions?