The Special Education Advisory Panel (SEAP) is a panel that works to improve special education in Pennsylvania. The SEAP:

• Advises the Secretary of Education and the Department of Education on the unmet educational needs of students with disabilities, on corrective action plans, and on developing and implementing policies to improve coordination of services to these students
• Reviews and comments on Pennsylvania's Annual Program Plan, on proposed special education regulations, and on funding procedures
• Helps the Department of Education develop and report information that is required by law to the U.S. Commissioner of Education

The governor appoints the SEAP panel members, who serve a three-year term. The members represent a broad cross section of individuals involved in special education, including:

• Parents of children with disabilities
• Individuals with disabilities
• Teachers and education administrators
• University instructors who train special education teachers and related services personnel
• State and local education officials
• Representatives of private schools and public charter schools
• Representatives of vocational, community, or business organizations concerned with providing transition services to young adults with disabilities
• Representatives from the state juvenile and adult corrections agencies
• Representatives of the state agencies that finance or deliver related services to children with disabilities
• Representative from the State child welfare agency responsible for foster care
• Representatives of groups involved in or concerned with the education of children with disabilities

The Advisory Panel members meet several times a year. The SEAP by-laws, meeting schedule, agendas, and minutes of past meetings are available on this site. A special SEAP working group has been created to deal with autism issues. The SEAP Autism Task Force Workgroup (link to section under Autism) meetings are held separately.

An Advisory Panel Support Office provides logistical support for SEAP and several other state advisory panels. The office arranges meetings, distributes information, and coordinates communications among the panel members. For additional information on SEAP contact the support office at:

Pennsylvania Department of Education
333 Market Street
Harrisburg, PA 17126

Phone: 717-783-2311
TDD: 717-787-7367

Fax: 717-783-6139

Email: lrhine@pattan.net