Special Education Advisory Panel / Special Education / Idaho State Department of Education (SDE)

Announcement: Open Meeting Notice

The Special Education Advisory Panel (SEAP) is announcing an open virtual meeting on Monday, February 8, 2021 from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm (MST).

This meeting is available for public comment and the agenda will be posted prior to the start of the meeting. Those interested in observing the meeting or participating in the open comment portion should contact Brenda Arnold at (208) 332-6896 prior to 5:00 pm MST Friday, February 5, 2021.

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) requires that every state establish an Special Education Advisory Panel (SEAP) that advises the SDE on the education of children with disabilities (ages 3 through 21).

The responsibilities of Idaho's SEAP, as defined in the IDEA Amendments of 2004, are as follows:

Advise the SDE of unmet needs in the education of children with disabilities
Comment publicly on rules or regulations proposed by the state regarding the education of children with disabilities
Provide advice to SDE staff in developing evaluations and reporting data to the Secretary of Education
Advise the SDE in developing corrective action plans to address findings identified in federal monitoring reports
Advise the SDE in developing and implementing policies relating to the organization of services for children with disabilities

Panel Members

The membership of the panel includes select organizations that are specifically focused on the needs of individuals with disabilities. Parents of children with disabilities (ages 3 through 21) are also vital members that represent 50 percent of the panel. The goal of the composition of the panel is to include all major stakeholders who can provide resources and support for individuals with disabilities.

If you would like to serve on SEAP, please complete and submit an application form. In Idaho, advisory panel members are appointed by the State Superintendent of Public Instruction (IDAPA 08.02.03.109.08). Panel members serve for a three year term.

Resource Files

Membership Information

Note: Meeting materials are available upon request. Please contact Brenda Arnold at barnold@sde.idaho.gov or (208) 332-6896 if you wish to receive a copy of the meeting materials for a specific SEAP meeting.

Meeting Minutes

- Meeting Schedule
- Agenda
- Agenda
- Minutes

- 2019-2020 Annual Report
- Meeting Schedule
- Agenda
- Agenda
- Minutes
- Agenda
- Minutes
- Agenda
- Minutes

- 2018-2019 Annual Report
- Meeting Schedule
- Agenda
- Meeting Minutes
- Agenda
- Meeting Minutes
- Agenda
- Meeting Minutes
- REL Northwest - Partnering with Education Stakeholders in Idaho
- REL Northwest - Idaho's Educator Landscape
- Meeting Minutes

- 2017-2018 Annual Report
- Meeting Minutes
- Meeting Minutes
- Minutes
- Inclusion for Better Education
- Minutes

Frequently Asked Questions

Examples of items commonly included on a SEAP agenda include:
- Approval of meeting minutes
- Public comment
- State and federal updates from the Director of Special Education
- Report on Results-Driven Accountability (RDA)
- Report on State Performance Plan (SPP)
- Group or sub-committee reports
- Action items for annual priorities

Some recommended activities include:
- Developing by-laws and operating procedures
- Establishing annual priorities
- Providing an orientation meeting for new members
- Developing an annual report
- Ongoing and annual review of any committee achievements

An annual report outlines advice to the Idaho State Department of Education of priority areas that were addressed by the panel during the previous year. It serves to inform state officials and the public of the activities conducted by the panel. It outlines those areas of need within the state that are viewed as priorities in the education of children with disabilities.

Training Resources

For training, please view the Idaho Training Clearinghouse.

Idaho State Department of Education