S.E.C.A.C (Special Education Citizens Advisory Committee)

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What is SECAC?

The Cecil County SECAC (Special Education Citizen’s Advisory Committee) is a group of parents, administrators, Arc and DDA personnel committed to improving Special Education in Cecil County.  

Our Mission:

• Serve as a liasion between students, parents, the community and the Office of Special Education.
• Promote a network of parents and children with special needs in Cecil County.
• Partner with other community agencies and professionals who represent children with disabilities.
• Support the Office of Special Education's annual review of programs and services during the budgetary process.
• Provide information forums to parents, caregivers, educators, students and professionals on issues related to Special Education.
• Assist parents/guardians/caregivers in becoming an educated, confident and comfortable participants in their child's education.

Why attend our meetings? or join the committee yourself?

• To find out what is new in Special Education in Maryland
• To have your concerns about Special Education heard
• To help generate ideas for change in Special Education in Cecil County

Accomplishments:

• Parent training on IEPs (Individual Education Plans) by Leslie Margolis of Maryland Disabilities Law Center.
• Hosted public Inclusion Forum with ARC Northern Chesapeake, Cecil County Public Schools and ACCESS
• Disability Awareness Training
• Testified at Public Forum for an Elected School Board
• Testified during Public Comment at Public Work Session for Cecil County Schools FY'04 and FY'05 Budgets at Board of Education
• Testified at public comment session for COMAR to require SECACs in all Maryland School Districts
• Facilitated donation of handicapped swing to Gilpin Manor Elementary School by North East United Methodist Church
• Mailed 2400 Parent Surveys to Cecil County homes in Dec 2003.

Projects:

SECACs across Maryland will be actively participating in explaining the regulations of the reauthorized IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act)  to parents.  

SECAC Inclusion Awards:

The Special Education Citizens Advisory Committee (SECAC) Inclusion Award was developed to recognize both Cecil County Public School students and employees who have, through facilitating, collaboration created an inclusive setting where staff, students and the community can better support the Cecil County Public Schools mission to provide an excellent pre-kindergarten through graduation learning experience that enables ALL students to demonstrate the skills, knowledge, and attitudes required for lifelong learning and productive citizenship in an ever-changing global society. 

If there is a CCPS employee or Student that you feel is deserving of this award, please nominate them by sending their name and reason for nomination to Karen Guilbault at fieldsoffaith@gmail.com

2009-2010 Award Recipients
2008-2009 Award Recipients
2007-2008 Award Recipients

Future Projects:

• Bring expects to the county to educate parents about IEPs, Extended School Year, Curriculum changes, the Budget Process and Inclusion
• More involvement with the school budget process
• Work with educators to improve the School Curriculum
  

For information about the Special Education Community Advisory Committee or to join the committee you may contact: