Title 17. Education

Chapter 8. Education of Students with Exceptionalities

Part I. Educational Opportunities for Students with Exceptionalities

17:1944.1       Local special education advisory councils; creation; purpose

A. Not later than January 1, 2020, each local public school superintendent and the administrative head of each charter school or other public school shall create a special education advisory council to provide advice and feedback regarding special education policies, procedures, and resources. The council shall also engage in outreach activities to the community at large to increase the level of knowledge, support, and collaboration with respect to special education. 

B. (1) The number of council members and composition of the council shall be determined by the local public school superintendent or the administrative head of each charter school or other public school. However, the council’s membership shall be composed as follows: 

(a) Fifty percent of the membership shall be parents or legal guardians of students with an exceptionality, other than gifted and talented, who are enrolled in a school under the jurisdiction of the public school governing authority. 

(b) Twenty-five percent of the membership shall be teachers, principals, or paraprofessionals. 

(c) Twenty-five percent of the membership shall be other special education stakeholders. 

(2) The local public school superintendent or administrative head of the charter school or other public school shall designate the chairperson of the council and the chairperson shall call the council’s meetings, preside over the meetings, and establish the agendas for the meetings. 

(3)(a) Each local public school superintendent and administrative head of a charter school or other public school shall seek applications for council membership from parents of students with an exceptionality other than gifted and talented, teachers, principals, paraprofessionals, and other stakeholders. 

(b) In selecting council members, an effort shall be made to include parents of students in elementary, middle, and high school grades. 

C. Each special education advisory council shall meet at least three times a year and shall submit a written report to the local public school superintendent or the administrative head of the charter school or other public school in May of each year regarding its activities. 

D. There shall be no liability or cause of action against the public school district, public charter school or other public school, or any officer or employee thereof for any action taken by members of the council. 

Added by Acts 2019, No. 274, § 1, eff. June 11, 2019.