About Chatham SEPAG
Special Education Parent Advisory Group
Our Mission
The Chatham SEPAG is a solution-oriented parent advisory group that represents students and families who receive special education services through the School District of the Chathams (SDOC). SEPAG works to provide direct input to our district leaders regarding the policies, programs and services impacting the special education community. The group collaborates with district staff, administrators, Board of Education members and the local community to facilitate engagement and open, transparent communication in order to create the best possible outcomes for all learners.
Chatham SEPAG Officers
Bonni Press
Aimee Reali
Kathleen Ryan
2019-2020 Initiatives
Chatham SEPAG will continue to execute our Literacy Initiatives from last year by creating a joint task force on Dyslexia to work with the School District of the Chathams. The primary goal of this group is to build empathy and awareness through professional development and activities and events. Chatham SEPAG will also pursue our last recommendation regarding data collection and data-based decisions.
In addition, we will create a formal survey to give families an opportunity to provide input on their special education experience in Chatham schools.
2018-2019 Initiatives
After hearing concerns from many Chatham families about Dyslexia and language based learning differences, Chatham SEPAG decided to make Literacy our first initiative. Our research on best practices in literacy as well as the education practices of our neighboring towns and schools around the country revealed that our families’ concerns mirrored those problems families face nationwide: late diagnosis or no official diagnosis, remediation that is not “evidence-based” or considered best practices, and lack of transparent or legitimate progress-monitoring. While these complaints are not unique to Chatham, Chatham SEPAG found a few clear ways to improve these areas for students with language based learning disabilities in our town and made four recommendations to the district:
SDOC invested in three teachers to receive the proper certification to teach Wilson one on one ( we hope they continue this investment every year)
A liaison or point person from the Board
A partnering opportunity to work with the district to raise awareness and empathy around learning differences—especially in October.
Create a data team or hire a data consultant to perform an audit of the data being used and collected in making educational decisions for students.
State Mandate
Special Education Parent Advisory Groups are required for all school districts in New Jersey. The purpose of these groups is to provide opportunities for parents and community members to offer input to the district on specific issues. New Jersey Administrative Code 6A:14-1.2(h) states that:
Each Board of Education shall ensure that a special education parent advisory group is in place in the district to provide input to the district on issues concerning students with disabilities.
