Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC)

MISSION:  We, as parents and educators, are dedicated to break through the boundaries of whatever the special need may be to ensure that each child reaches his or her own personal potential. 

The Roanoke County Public Schools Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC) works with the school board, administrators, parents, and teachers who are responsible for students receiving special education services, having been diagnosed with one or more of the following conditions:

• autism
• deaf-blindness
• developmental delay
• emotional disability
• hearing impairment
• intellectual disability
• multiple disabilities
• orthopedic impairment
• other health impairment
• severe disability
• specific learning disability
• speech/language impairment
• traumatic brain injury
• visual impairment

The SEAC, whose members are appointed by the school board, is comprised of:

• persons with disabilities
• parents/guardians of students with disabilities
• public/county human service agency representatives
• community/civic organization representatives
• business/industry representatives
• The Director of Special Education, Superintendent, and a representative from the school board serve as consultants to the committee.

All meetings are open to the public. The SEAC welcomes anyone interested in special education. There is designated time for public comment during the meeting. This is an opportunity to share successful educational experiences and express general concerns regarding educational issues for students with disabilities.

Specific functions of the Committee shall include the following:

1. Advise the local school division of needs in the education of children with disabilities;
2. Participate in the development of priorities and strategies for meeting the identified needs of children with disabilities; 
3. Submit periodic reports and recommendations regarding the education of children with disabilities to the division superintendent for transmission to the local school board;
4. Assist the local school division in interpreting plans to the community for meeting the special needs of children with disabilities for educational services;
5. Review the policies and procedures for the provision of special education and related services prior to submission to the local school board; and
6. Participate in the review of the local school division’s annual plan and application for federal funds for providing special education and related services to students with disabilities.

For complete Federal regulations, refer to 8 VAC 20-80-90E