The Anne Arundel County Public School System believes working as partners, parents and professionals in the delivery of special education will result in excellent educational opportunities for all children. National studies affirm that the interest and involvement of parents in their children's education are the most important predictors of success for a child.

Special Education is defined by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and outlines the process of education for those children and youth with a disabling condition that impacts their ability to learn. Educational professionals bring expertise and experience to the process. However, only the parents and the family nurture an individual with a disability throughout the educational journey. Each component depends upon the other for success in achieving mutual goals.

Partners for Success

Partners for Success is a partnership between the Maryland State Department of Education and Anne Arundel County Public Schools. The Center provides families, professionals, and the community with information, training, and support.  The purpose of the Center is to provide the skills and knowledge that will enable families of children and youth with disabilities, ages 3 to 21, and professionals to function as partners in the educational decision making process and to assist families in accessing services for children.

Goals

• Providing support, information, and resources on disabilities and community services.
• Assisting families to resolve concerns and make informed decisions regarding their child's education. 
• Increasing parent involvement and collaborative partnerships between families and professionals.

 Resources Available 

• Information, brochures and referral services to answer your questions.
  • Partners for Success
  • Individualized Education Program: What Every Parent Should Know
  • Building IEPs With Maryland Families, "What a Great Idea!"
  • Understanding the Evaluation, Eligibility, and Individualized Education Program (IEP) Process in Maryland
  • Multi-media lending library - resources for you to borrow. (Please contact our office by phone or email to request materials)
  • Copy of Internet Library
  • Monthly Calendar of Events

 Resources Available 

Workshops

Effective Partnership in Special Education:  Advocating in Harmony – A workshop to assist parents in gaining skills needed to advocate for their child.

How to be an I.E.P. (Informed Effective Parent) Team Member - A workshop designed to help families attain the knowledge and skills for being an effective Individualized Education Program (IEP) team member.

• View Powerpoint (ppt)

• View Powerpoint - preschool version (ppt)

Individualized Education:  An Overview of the Special Education Process – A workshop designed to help families and educators understand the special education process.

Life Transition Series - A series of workshops that will assist families and educators with the process of transitioning from school into adult life.

Other Workshops - Seminars and in-services specially designed to meet the needs of families and educators.

AA-SECAC is a partnership between parents, families, community leaders, advocates, educators and administrators. The committee works to enhance services available to students with disabilities and to advocate for positive changes in special education in the Anne Arundel County Public Schools.

Active, involved parents and supporters of children receiving special education services comprise the Anne Arundel Special Education Citizens' Advisory Committee (AA-SECAC).

AA-SECAC meets monthly with the director and staff of the Division of Special Education and other Anne Arundel County Public Schools staff to share information and help provide direction for special education services.

Mission Statement

It is our mission to ensure the development of knowledge, attitudes and skills needed by educators, families, other professionals and community members to enable individuals with disabilities to have the maximum opportunity to become fully participating members of their home, school, work and community.

The goal of the committee is to facilitate communication and collaboration between parents and families, educators and administrators and community leaders in order to enhance services available for students with special needs and advocate for positive changes in special education services within the Anne Arundel County Public School System.

Goals

• To provide a voice for Anne Arundel County children receiving special education services and their families.
• To facilitate open communication among Anne Arundel County Public Schools staff members, parents, educators and the community at large.
• To provide guidance and perspective to AACPS on development curriculum and policy regarding services for special needs students.
• To network with other Special Education Citizens' Advisory Committees in neighboring Maryland counties and other key stakeholders.

Priority Issues:

• Secondary School Services
• Transition planning
• Vocational training
• IEP progress monitoring
• Continuum of programs
• Special Education Facilities Issues
• School/community Options for After school care, summer programs and Child Care
• Enhanced professional development/disability awareness for all staff
• Academic performance
• Drop out rate
• Superintendent’s strategic goals
• Identification of budget priorities with follow up efforts as necessary

Friends of Early Childhood Intervention

Support and networking among parents can be provided through the Friends of Early Childhood Intervention, an entity founded in 2008 to assist parents of children in the Birth to Five age range.  Meetings are held monthly.  For information:  E-mail Carolyn Fiume, chair, at Carolyn.P.Fiume@verizon.net or 410-695-2748