Special Education

Special Education Committee

The goal of the Special Education Committee is to provide information to parents of students who are or may be eligible for special education services. The intent is for parents to become knowledgeable, active participants in the educational process.

In the 2008-2009 school year, the committee is meeting monthly to provide parent-to-parent support. These meetings start at 12:30 p.m. on the last Wednesday of the month (except when the date conflicts with a holiday or break) at Einstein Bros. Bagels at 64th Street and Greenway (in the Safeway Shopping Center). Meeting dates for the year are

September 24
October 22
November 26
December 17
January 28
February 25
March 25
April 29
May 13

For more information, contact committee chair Allison Cahill at aecahill@cox.net.

Additionally, UPC Special Education advisors will consult with parents to access appropriate information and resources that will assist them in meeting their child’s needs. They also will consult with and address individual parent's concerns about Special Education policy and procedures in an effort to improve communication between schools and parents. Assistant Superintendent for Instructional Support-Secondary Dr. John Weimer has provided an explanation of PVUSD's inclusionary practices.

The UPC Special Education Committee will offer opportunities for parents to become more effective partners in their child’s educational plan.

With the Reauthorization of the Individuals With Disabilities Education Act (I.D.E.A.) in 1997, parents became a crucial component of their children’s educational planning team. This committee was created to help parents of children receiving special education services be knowledgeable and informed in order to be successful at developing and maintaining a positive team relationship. This will enable parents to contribute as equal partners in their child’s special education needs.

Parents need

information to be equal partners in the decision-making process of their child’s educational team.
to know how to access information that will enable them to make decisions as part of the IEP team.
to know where to find support networks.

For additional information from the Arizona Department of Education, visit ADE's Exceptional Student Services department.

Other resources include

explanations and analysis of recent revisions to IDEA (now renamed IDEIA of 2004 for Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act)
answers to frequently asked questions about IDEA
the Arizona Attorney General's opinion on AIMS for special education students

UPC Special Education Information Packet Request (English)

UPC Special Education Information Packet Request (Español)