PAAC on SEAC SEAC Provincial Conference May 2 nd, years of supporting SEACs across the Province: What we’ve learned as the Provincial Parent Association Advisory Committee

Who we are P rovincial P arent A ssociation A dvisory C ommittee on S pecial E ducation A dvisory C ommittees 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 Calendar Website November 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 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 Boards out of Respondents 24 Associations 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 Results Orientation 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 Background 2.Membership 3.SEAC Roles and Responsibilities 4.Information and Knowledge Transfer 5.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

Appendices 1. Regulation 464/97 2. PAAC on SEAC Survey Questions 3. PAAC on SEAC Survey Results 4. 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?