Education Committee David Kohler – Chair Anthony Cravalho – Co-chair Christie Reinhardt – Staff

"The State has established and maintains an advisory panel for the purpose of providing policy guidance with respect to special education and related services for children with disabilities in the State.” Sec. 612(a)(21) ▪ The Council is the Special Education Advisory Panel (SEAP), and delegates the day to day business of the SEAP to the Education Committee. ▪ The members are educators, administrators and agency representatives involved in the special education system. The majority must be parents. ▪ The Council also governs the Special Education Service Agency (SESA).

Members *Jill Burkert *Anthony Carvalho *Sandra DeHart *Don Enoch/Cassidy Jones *Angie Fraize *Jeanne Gerhardt-Cyrus *Heidi Haas *Mallory Hamilton *Margaret Kossler Clayton Holland Patrick Pillai Amy Westfall/Mary Elam *David Kohler - Chair *Anthony Carvalho – Co-Chair Christie Reinhardt - Staff *Council members Anne Applegate Sarah Emmal Krisiti Fuller Anji Gallanos Cindy Higgins Jimael Johnson Jim Kreatschman Ernie Manzie Starr Marsett Gennifer Moreau-Johnson Amber Parker Maria Pepperworth Adrainne Thomas Barbara Thompson Fred Villa Blayne White/Adele Daniels

Activities Since February HB 102/SB 103 "An Act relating to school districts; relating to school boards; relating to approval of educational programs at residential psychiatric treatment centers; providing for funding of educational services for students in residential psychiatric treatment centers; and providing for an effective date.“ Reviewed bill drafts Researched impacts in other states Drafted a letter and a position paper Collaborated with partners (CASE, DLC, SpEd Admin, parents, teachers…) Collected and gave written and oral testimony (kudos to Mallory!) Alerted partners and legislatures Defended our ethics Magic ensued

Activities Since February Began an investigation into the barriers to students with disabilities accessing the Alaska Performance Scholarship. Special presentation from the Northern Justice Project on a lawsuit over non-compliance with restraint and seclusion reporting requirements. Oral comments to the State Board of Education on HB 102/SB 103. Worked on Five Year Plan. Participated in the 2016 Alaska State Special Education Conference (ASSEC).

2016 Inclusive Practice Award Tuesday, February 9, 2016 The Inclusive Practice Award was established to recognize outstanding educators who work to ensure students with disabilities have the opportunity for an inclusive education with their peers as part of the general education curriculum. Nominations are made by parents, students, educators and administrators. The nominations are based on the following activities that assure a positive learning environment for all: Involving parents as equal partners in their child’s education Encouraging student’s self-determination Emphasizing inclusive practices amongst peers and others Providing leadership in sharing the values of inclusion Designing support services that enable access to the regular curriculum Modifying programs or curricula as needed

2016 Inclusive Practice Award  Chugiak Head Start Program, CCS Early Learning, Chugiak  Eagle Academy Charter School, Eagle River  Career and Work Readiness Program Martin Luther King, Jr. Career Center, Anchorage  Lake Hood SBBS Team, Lake Hood Elementary, Anchorage  Allison Little, Art teacher, Wasilla High School, Wasilla  Nikiski High School Life Skills Team, Nikiski  Northwood ABC Elementary School, Anchorage  Julie Plummer, Special Education Teacher, Adak School, Adak  Lucas Saltzman & Storme Fleming, Aquarian Charter School, Anchorage  Kimberly Smith, Special Education Teacher, Wonder Park Elementary School, Anchorage  Cindy Starr, Schoenbar Speech Language Pathologist, Pt. Higgins Elementary School and Ketchikan High School, Ketchikan  Kathy Stone, Hard of Hearing Program Teacher, Williwaw Elementary School, Anchorage

Nikiski High Life Skills Team!

Future Plans Follow up and monitor issues surrounding HB102/SB103 and potential future legislation. Continue to monitor and offer improvement solutions on restraint and seclusion policies, implementation and issues of non-compliance. Facilitate and partner to bring training to school principals and administrators on IDEA and discipline, in particular, Manifestation Determinitions. Continue to investigate barriers to the Alaska Performance Scholarship. Look for leadership and advocacy training for emerging Special Education advocates.

Questions?