IDEA-B Advisory Panel
The 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. This includes advising the state on the education of students with disabilities who have been convicted as adults and are incarcerated in adult prisons.
Authority
The Oklahoma Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) Part B - State Advisory Panel of the State of Oklahoma is established in accordance with the IDEA 2004 SEC. 612 State Eligibility and Section 1412(a) (21) of the IDEA. The State Advisory Panel is also established in accordance with the Oklahoma Special Education Administrative Code.
Purpose of the Advisory Panel
The Oklahoma State Department of Education will establish and maintain an Advisory Panel to provide policy guidance with respect to special education and related services for children with disabilities eligible under IDEA in the State (34 CFR 300.167).
The Advisory Panel is “Advisory” to the Oklahoma State Department of Education and Office of Special Education Services. The Advisory Panel advises the State Superintendent of Public Instruction through the State Director of Special Education.
• Operating Guidelines (Revised December 2023)
State Advisory Panel Duties Under IDEA
In accordance with the federal regulations in IDEA, the Governor, or his/her designee, is required to appoint members of the Special Education Advisory Panel (SEAP). The following are Advisory Panel duties according to the IDEA.
(a) Advise the OSDE-SES of unmet needs within the State in the education of children and youth with disabilities.
(b) Comment on any rules or regulations proposed by the State regarding the education of special education students.
(c) Advise the Office of Special Education in developing evaluations and reporting such information as may assist the State in its data requirements under Section 618 of the IDEA.
(d) Advise the Office of Special Education in developing corrective action plans (CAPs) to address findings identified in federal monitoring reports under Part B of the IDEA.
(e) Advise the Office of Special Education in developing and implementing policies relating to the coordination of services for special education students.
(f) Provide the Advisory Council with the due process hearing (DPH) findings and decisions and make those findings and decisions available to the public.
(g) Waiver of non-supplant requirement. The State must consult with the Advisory Panel regarding provisions of Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE).
(h) Advise the Office of Special Education as it monitors special education programs in local education agencies (LEAs) and private schools.
Advisory Panel Membership
A majority of the members of the Advisory Panel shall be representative of Oklahoma’s population and will be composed of individuals involved in, or concerned with, the education of children and youth with disabilities.
The membership of the Advisory Panel must be consistent with the IDEA, 34 CFR 300.168.
(a) Parents of children with disabilities (ages birth through 22).
(b) Individuals with disabilities.
(c) Teachers.
(d) Representatives of institutions of higher education that prepare special education and related services personnel.
(e) State and local education officials, including officials who carry out activities under subtitle B of title VII of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 11431 et seq.).
(f) Administrators of programs for children with disabilities.
(g) Representatives of other State agencies involved in the financing or delivery of related services to children with disabilities.
(h) Representatives of private schools and public charter schools.
(i) Not less than one representative of a vocational, community, or business organization concerned with the provision of transition services to children with disabilities.
(j) A representative from the State child welfare agency responsible for foster care.
(k) Representatives from the State juvenile and adult corrections agencies.
(l) Others as appropriate as approved by the State Superintendent.
All members of the Advisory Panel shall be appointed by the State Superintendent of Public Instruction.
Advisory Panel Meetings - General Information
(a) The Advisory Panel shall meet at least four times during each school year.
(b) Each Advisory Panel meeting will include a “public comment” section on the agenda. A standing agenda item for public comment will always be included at, and announced prior to, each Advisory Panel meeting.
(c) Interpreters and other necessary services to accommodate people with disabilities shall be provided at meetings for Advisory Panel members.
(d) Official minutes are kept on all Advisory Panel meetings.
Advisory Panel Meetings - General Information
(a) Welcome and Introductions
(b) Agency, Division, and Special Education Services Updates
(c) Topical Presentations from Special Education Services Staff
(d) Priority Setting
(e) Public Comment
Meeting, Agenda, Minutes, and Handouts
• March 7, 2019
Agenda - Minutes - PowerPoint
• June 6, 2019
Agenda - Minutes - PowerPoint
• September 4, 2019
Agenda - Minutes - PowerPoint
• December 5, 2019
Agenda - Minutes - PowerPoint
• April 1, 2020
Agenda - Minutes - PowerPoint
• June 11, 2020
Agenda - Minutes - PowerPoint
• September 17, 2020
Agenda - Minutes - PowerPoint
• December 3, 2020
Agenda - Minutes - PowerPoint
• March 22, 2021
Agenda - Minutes - PowerPoint
• June 10, 2021
Agenda - Minutes - PowerPoint
• September 23, 2021
Agenda - Minutes
• December 3, 2021
Agenda - Minutes
• March 24, 2022
Agenda - Minutes - PowerPoint
• June 9, 2022
Agenda - Minutes
• December 8, 2022
Agenda - Minutes - PowerPoint
• March 23, 2023
Agenda - Minutes
• June 1, 2023
Agenda - Minutes
• February 9, 2024
Agenda - Minutes - PowerPoint
• April 5, 2024
Agenda - Minutes - PowerPoint
Annual Reports
The Advisory Panel Annual Report will be submitted to the State Superintendent of Public Instruction, and to interested stakeholders, by the Executive Committee chair by September first of each year.
