IDEA Advisory Committee

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IDEA Advisory Committee Position Statement on a Unified System of Education

The IDEA Advisory Committee is a committee that works to improve special education in North Dakota. The IDEA Advisory Committee advises the North Dakota Department of Public Instruction on the unmet educational needs of students with disabilities, on corrective action plans, and on developing and implementing policies to improve the coordination of services to these students, reviews and comments on North Dakota’s Annual Performance Report, on proposed special education regulations, and helps the North Dakota Department of Public Instruction develop and report information that is required by law to the U.S. Secretary of Education. 

Meetings are held from 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. The committee meets in September, December, and March. Every meeting has a public comment period.  Public comment may be received through written comments or by attending the meeting and speaking during the public comment period.  If you are interested in attending and/or providing public comment, please email Specially Designed Services with the following information (1) first and last name, (2) organization affiliation, and (3) public comment.

Purpose
  • Advise the NDDPI of unmet needs within the state in the education of children with disabilities;
  • Comment publicly on any rules or regulations proposed by the state regarding the education of children with disabilities;
  • Advise the NDDPI in developing evaluations and reporting on data to the Secretary of Education under Section 1418 of IDEA 20 U.S.C §1418;
  • Advise the NDDPI in developing corrective action plans to address findings identified in federal monitoring reports under Part B of IDEA; and;
  • Advise NDDPI in developing and implementing policies relating to the coordination of services for children with disabilities.
Advisory Committee Members

The membership of the advisory committee includes select organizations that are specifically focused on the needs of individuals with disabilities, parents of children with disabilities (ages birth through 26), and individuals with disabilities. Parents of children with disabilities and individuals with disabilities are vital members who represent a majority of the committee. The committee's composition aims to include all major stakeholders who can provide resources and support for individuals with disabilities. Members are appointed by the superintendent for three-year terms beginning in September of each year. Committee members must include individuals who represent the following areas: 

  • Parents of individuals with disabilities (ages birth through 26)
  • Individuals with disabilities
  • A teacher
  • An administrator of programs for children with disabilities.
  • A State or local education officials who carry out activities under subtitle B of Title VII of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act.
  • A representative of an institution of higher education that prepares special education and related services personnel.
  • A representative of other State agencies involved in financing or delivery of related services to children with disabilities.
  • A representative from a state child welfare agency responsible for foster care.
  • A representative of a vocational, community, or business organization concerned with the provision of transition services.
  • A representative from a state juvenile and adult corrections agency.
  • A representative of private and public charter schools.

An IDEA member may be compensated up to $250.00 per meeting if not already paid under another source.

If you would like to serve on the IDEA Advisory Council, please complete and submit an application form.

2025 IDEA Advisory Meeting Dates:
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2024-2025 Meeting Agendas and Minutes:
IDEA Advisory Documents:
Resources: