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Advisory Boards and Councils

RIDE and other agencies serving students with disabilities are advised by several statewide boards and councils.

Special Education Advisory Committee (RISEAC)

Roles & Responsibilities

  • Advises the Commissioner for Elementary and Secondary Education on matters concerning the unmet special education needs of children with disabilities;
  • Comments publicly on any rules or regulations proposed by the State regarding the education of children with disabilities;
  • Advises the Rhode Island Department of Education (RIDE) in developing evaluations and reporting on data;
  • Advises RIDE in developing corrective action plans to address findings identified in Federal monitoring reports under Part B of the IDEA; and
  • Advises RIDE in developing and implementing policies relating to the coordination of services for children with disabilities.

Membership

Membership of the committee is composed of individuals involved in or concerned with the education of children with disabilities. Parents of children with disabilities maintain the majority of the Committee membership. The membership also includes individuals with disabilities, teachers, representatives of institutions of higher education, private schools, charter schools, state and local education officials, administrators of programs for children with disabilities, foster care and homelessness, vocational, community or business organizations, juvenile and adult corrections and State Child Serving Agencies. 

Please click here to access the 2021-2022 RISEAC meeting schedule.  The public and those individuals who may be interested in applying for membership are welcome to attend.  

2022-2023 Membership

RISEAC has started its 2022-2023 membership recruitment and is seeking parents, school personnel, agency representatives and individuals interested in the education of children with disabilities to serve on the Committee.  The Committee is seeking members who will bring a spirit of collaboration, sense of commitment and new ideas addressing the unmet needs of Rhode Island differently-abled students.  

Applications can be accessed below and may be returned to Kerri Sorensen (kerri.sorensen@ride.ri.gov) at the RIDE Office of Student, Community and Academic Supports.  

Be Informed!

  • Please contact Kerri Sorensen, Education Specialist, at kerri.sorensen@ride.ri.gov or at 401-222-8341 with any inquiries or questions regarding the committee 
  • RISEAC meeting agendas and minutes are posted on the SOS website: Rhode Island Secretary of State. Meetings are open to the public. Individuals who need accommodations to enable participation in a meeting are invited to submit such requests two weeks prior to the meeting date by contacting Karen. Lovett at karen.lovett@ride.ri.gov or at (401) 222-8333.

Vision Education Services Advisory Board (RIVESPAB)

Roles & Responsibilities
The RIVESP Advisory Board shall make recommendations regarding the following to the Rhode Island Vision Education & Services Program:

  • the needs of the blind and visually impaired children in the state of Rhode Island;
  • the educational and service policies required to meet the needs of the blind and visually impaired children served by the RIVESP;
  • policy guidance and suggestions for budget development;
  • methods which ensure that all students are taught by educators of the highest possible quality;
  • appropriate committees and or workgroups as needed, to provide guidance and feedback on the goals and outcomes of the RIVESPAB
  • the educational policies to meet the needs of the blind and visually impaired children and to advise on implementation of policies established by the board of regents, and the RIVESP ; and
  • make themselves available to corresponding agencies, including RIVESP, in order to provide a link between these agencies. 

The RIVESP Advisory Board is recruiting members.  Please complete the "Bio Form" and email the completed form to Karen.Lovett@ride.ri.gov by August 27, 2021 at 4:00 p.m. 

    Be Informed!

The next meeting of the RIVESP Advisory Board, scheduled for Wednesday, June 16, has been cancelled.  

Transition Council

The Vision of the Transition Council
To create a partnership among state agencies, parents, students with special needs and local education agencies. This partnership will serve to enable students and young adults with special needs to successfully transition to adult life in their community.

Membership
Membership of the Transition Council includes students, parents, representatives of local education agencies and the following state agencies:

  • RI Department of Education/Office of Student, Community & Academic Supports (Chair)
  • RI Department of Behavioral Health, Developmental Disabilities & Hospitals
  • RI Department of Human Services/Office of Rehabilitation Services
  • RI Office of Higher Education
  • RI Department of Children, Youth & Families
  • RI Department of Labor & Training
  • RI Department of Health

Be Informed!

  • The RI Transition Council meetings are open to the public. The agenda and minutes are posted with the RI Secretary of State.  Meetings are held from 2-3:00 pm via Zoom and/or at the West Bay Educational Collaborative, 144 Bignall St. Warwick, RI.
  • 2020-21 Meeting Dates
    September 23, 2020
    December 16, 2020
    March 24, 2021
    June 12, 2021

Get in Touch!
Jane Slade, Education Specialist/Secondary Transition 

RI Department of Elementary & Secondary Education
Office of Student, Community and Academic Supports
255 Westminster Street
Providence, RI 02903
(401) 222-8350
jane.slade@ride.ri.gov

Contact Information

Office of Student, Community and Academic Supports

Email Karen Lovett
Phone 401-222-8333