Parents, Guardians, Individuals with Disabilities Sought for Special Education Advisory Panel

January 12, 2020

The Virgin Islands Department of Education, State Office of Special Education (VIDE/SOSE) is seeking parents or guardians of children with disabilities and/or individuals with disabilities to serve a two-year term on the Virgin Islands Advisory Panel on Special Education (VIAPSE). 

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) requires that each state establish and maintain an advisory panel for the purpose of advising the state special education staff regarding the education of eligible children with disabilities. Federal regulations (34 C.F.R. §300.169) define responsibilities for each state panel as follows: 

• Advise the state on unmet needs in the education of children with disabilities, 
• Comment publicly on any rules and regulations proposed by the state regarding the education of children with disabilities; 
• Advise the state in developing evaluations and reporting on data as required by federal special education laws; 
• Advise the state in developing corrective action plans for the U.S. Department of Education; and 
• Advise the state in developing and implementing policies relating to the coordination of services for children with disabilities. 

Under 34 CFR §300.168, the advisory panel, whose members must be appointed by the Governor or any other individual under state law who is authorized to make such appointments, must be representative of the state population and must be composed of parents of children with disabilities (ages birth through 21) or individuals with disabilities, who make up the majority of the membership. 

Persons interested in serving on the advisory panel should email Rene Charleswell, PhD, at renee.charleswell@vide.vi or call 340-774-0100 Ext. 8800. 

 

Download PDF:  pdf DOE Special Ed Advisory Panel Recruitment for Parents (195 KB)