Arlington Special Education Advisory Committee (ASEAC)

ASEAC’s role and duties are mandated by the Regulations Governing Special Education Programs for Children with Disabilities in Virginia as defined by the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE). As described by the VDOE, Special Education Advisory Committees (SEACs) “are extensions of local school boards since members are appointed by them, and SEACs provide reports and recommendations to their school boards.” ASEAC provides an annual report to the School Board, but also submits comments and recommendations throughout the year as needed. The Regulations state that ASEAC’s official role is to:

1. Advise the local school division of needs in the education of children with disabilities;
2. Assist in the development of long-range plans designed to provide needed services for children with disabilities;
3. Participate in the development of priorities and strategies for meeting the identified needs of children with disabilities;
4. Submit periodic reports and recommendations to the school board;
5. Assist the school division in interpreting educational plans to the community for meeting the needs of children with disabilities;
6. Review the policies and procedures for the provision of special education and related services prior to submission to the school board; and participate in the review of the school division’s annual plan.

All ASEAC meetings are open to the public, parents, teachers, and community members are welcome to attend. Every month, the committee sets aside time to hear the concerns of parents of students with disabilities. If you wish to speak to the committee, or join in committee discussions, simply attend a meeting. You are encouraged to let one of the officers know ahead of time so they can set aside enough time on the agenda, but that is not required.

ASEAC also sponsors an annual forum which typically combines a public presentation on a topic of interest to families of students with disabilities, with an extensive parent comment session. ASEAC is very interested in working with other APS advisory committees on topics of common concern, such as transportation, reading or math instruction and interventions, or students who are identified as needing both special education and ESOL/HILT services.

Membership

ASEAC is always interested in recruiting new members, including parents and a teacher and a student representative. The committee tries to have a membership that reflects the diversity of our school community.

Working Groups

Much of the committee’s work is supported by working groups that focus on particular topics of concern, such as autism, dyslexia, or ADHD (the topics can vary with the interests of the committee members). ASEAC encourages all members to participate in and provide leadership for these working groups. Parents who are not committee members are also welcome to participate in these working groups. No application is needed to participate in working groups.

If you are interested in joining the committee or a working group, please feel free to discuss your interest with any of our officers or members.

If you would like to provide live public comments in person at an ASEAC meeting, please indicate your interest on the online registration form for that meeting. ASEAC kindly asks that you please sign up prior to the start of the meeting. Oral public comments are limited to three minutes each. If anyone is not able to speak in the time allotted for public comments, they will have an opportunity to provide public comments after the agenda is concluded and will be able to submit written comments which will be included in the minutes. After a public comment is submitted, ASEAC requests a response from APS staff by the next meeting.

ASEAC 2024-25 Committee Members

Contact: [email protected] 

• ASEAC Budget Response (April 2025)
• ASEAC Recommendation for Parental Notification (February 2025)
• Questions for SB members on APS budget proposals.docx
• Special Education Staff Recruitment and Retention Recommendations – October, 2024
• Discipline Disparities and Bullying Recommendations – May 2024
• Fall 2023 Recommendations
  • Recommendation #1. Increase hourly staffing during unstructured time
  • Recommendation #2. Open up classes currently available only to students with an IEP to those with a 504 and in the long term consider how these courses can be open to all students.
  • Recommendation #3: Explicitly indicate that students with disabilities are eligible for “rigorous courses” including new “intensified” courses at the middle school level.
• ASEAC Inclusion Recommendations – June 2023