Parent Member Training
Have you ever considered becoming a parent member for the Committee on Preschool Special Education (CPSE) or Committee on Special Education (CSE) in your school district? Do you know what a parent member is and what role they play at a CPSE/CSE meeting?
What is a parent member?
A parent member of the CPSE/CSE is a parent of a child with a disability who lives in the school district or a neighboring school district. They attend the Committee meetings to support the parents/guardians and to help insure that the focus of the meeting is on the child. A parent member of the CPSE/CSE should not be confused with a Parent Advocate.
The role of the parent member at a Committee meeting is:
- support the parent(s) and explain the process as needed
- provide feedback from a parent's point of view
- seek clarification and explain to the parent as needed
- participate in decisions as an equal member of the Committee
The Syracuse University Parent Advocacy Center (SUPAC) in collaboration with the Mid-State Central Early Childhood Direction Center (ECDC) and the Mid-State Regional Special Education Technical Assistance Support Center (RSE-TASC) is now providing training on being a parent member.
Participants will learn the steps of the special education process, basic vocabulary, laws, and regulations pertaining to students with disabilities and understand a child's special education rights.
Participants will also learn:
- what to expect at a Committee meeting;
- to enhance their ability to communicate with team members and how to advocate for their own child; and
- tips and tools to become more involved in the planning of an Individualized Education Program (IEP) to insure it is truly individualized to fit a student's needs.
At the end of the training, participants receive a certificate of attendance which shows they have obtained training to become an effective parent member on the Committee.
Check back frequently for information on future scheduled trainings or contact SUPAC at 315-443-4336 or 1-877-824-9555 by phone or supac@syr.edu by email.