How to Join
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| RISEAC Brochure | By Laws | Membership Application |
THE RHODE ISLAND SPECIAL EDUCATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE IS AN ACTIVE VOICE IN ADVOCATING THAT ALL STUDENTS RECEIVE SUPERIOR EDUCATIONAL SERVICES ENABLING EACH STUDENT TO ACHIEVE OPTIMUM SUCCESS THROUGH THE SCHOOL YEARS AND INTO THE WORLD OF ADULTHOOD.
ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The Rhode Island Special Education Advisory Committee (RISEAC) advises the Commissioner and Board of Regents for Elementary and Secondary Education on matters concerning: (a) the unmet special education needs of children with disabilities; (b) comments publicly on any rules or regulations proposed by the State regarding the education of children with disabilities; (c) advises the Rhode Island Department of Education (RIDE) in developing evaluations and reporting on data; (d) advises the RIDE in developing corrective action plans to address findings identified in Federal monitoring reports under Part B of the IDEA; and (e) advises the RIDE in developing and implementing policies relating to the coordination of services for children with disabilities.
Membership of the committee is composed of individuals involved in or concerned with the education of children with disabilities. Parents of children with disabilities birth through 26 maintain the majority of the Committee Membership. The Membership also includes individuals with disabilities, teachers, representatives of institutions of higher education, private schools, charter schools, state and local education officials, administrators of programs for children with disabilities foster care and homelessness, vocational, community or business organizations, juvenile and adult corrections and State Child Serving Agencies.
The RISEAC meets monthly, from 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM. An evening New Member Orientation is held in August, along with an all day Strategic Planning meeting in September and its Annual Dinner Meeting in June.
All applicants to the RISEAC apply in writing to the Chair of the Membership Committee. The Membership Committee interviews applicants and makes recommendations to the full RISEAC membership. Those recommendations are then forwarded to the Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education for appointment.
If you are interested in applying for membership on the Rhode Island Special Education Advisory Committee, please download and complete the mini-biography by March 1st and mail to:
Melissa Angell
R.I. Department of Education
Office for Diverse Learners
255 Westminster Street
Providence, R.I. 02903-3400
For further information about the Committee, please contact Melissa at 222-8349/fax: 222-6030/ e-mail: melissa.angell@ride.ri.gov
