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Maine Advisory Council on the Education of Children with Disabilities

Vision

The vision of the Maine Advisory Counil on the Education of Children (MACECD) is for all children is excellence in education.  The Council embraces life's opportunities for all children.

Mission

The Mission of the Maine Advisory Counil on the Education of Children with Disabilities is to identify cirtical issues and advocate for educational excellence to ensure a quality of life for all children; and to advise the Maine Commissioner of Education, State Board of Education, State Legislature, U.S. Department of Education, and the public concerning the unmet needs of students with disabilities.

Functions and Responsibilities

MACECD serves as the advisory panel for the education of students with disabilities, ages birth through twenty, as referenced in the Individuals with Disablities Education Act (IDEA) 20 USC 1400 et seq.  (IDEA), as amended. [20 USC 1412(a)(21)(A-D) and 20 USC 1441 (a+b).  The advisory panel shall advise the Maine Department of Education (MDOE) after receiving input from the public, monthly meetings, and speakers requested by the committees to provide information on topics deemed within the Council's jurisdiction.  The said topics include:

• The unmet needs within the State in the education of children with disabilities;

• Development of evaluations and reports on data to the U.S. Secretary of Education under Section 618;

• Development of corrective action plans to address findings identified in Federal monitoring reports under this part;

• Development and implementation of policies relating to the coordination of services for children with disabilities;

• The educational needs of eligible students with disabilities in correctional facilities;

• The performance of the responsibilities for Part C of IDEA, particularly the identification of the sources of fiscal, as well as, other support, for services for early intervention programs, assignment of financial responsibility to the agency, and the promotion of the interagency agreements;

• The preparation of applications and amendments thereto, for both Part C and Part B; and

• The transition of toddlers with disabilities to preschool and other appropriate services.

About the Council

The Advisory Council is currently composed of thirty-eight members who are appointed by the Maine Commissioner of Education.  The membership meets the requirements of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) 20 USC 1400 et seq. (IDEA), as amended, [20 USC 1412(a)(21)(B) for Part B 3-20, and 20 USC 1441 (a) and (b) for Part C (0-2)] and fulfills the requirements under Part B (three to twenty years old) and Part C (birth to two years old).

The development of the Maine Advisory Council on the Education of Children with Disabilities is an ongoing process.  Members are sought from all counties in the state.  Staff from the Special Services Team of the Maine Department of Education are assigned to provide technical assistance to MACECD in order to enhance the Council's ability to execute its responsibilities.

Maine Advisory Council for the Education of Children with Disabilities (MACECD) provides policy guidance with respect to special education and related services for children with disabilities in Maine as defined by special education regulations and applicable state and federal law. The Council advises and assists the Department of Education (DOE) regarding the provision of appropriate services for children aged birth through twenty. The authority for the Council is mandated under the Individuals with Disabilities Act (20 U.S.C. 1400 et seq. as amended).

Useful Links:

MACECD Advisory Council By-laws

MACECD Annual Reports

MACECD Meeting Agendas

MACECD Meeting Calendar

MACECD Meeting Minutes