Minister's Advisory Council on Special Education: Appointment Process

• Questions and Answers
• Membership Categories and Dates for Reappointment
• Nomination for Membership form

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Questions and Answers

What is the Minister's Advisory Council on Special Education?

Since 1977 the Advisory Council on Special Education (and its precursor, the Advisory Committee on Special Education) have provided advice on matters concerning the development and delivery of programs and services for exceptional pupils in Ontario elementary and secondary schools.

The government has defined the mandate of the Council as follows:

The Council will advise the Minister of Education on any matter related to the establishment and provision of special education programs and special education services for exceptional pupils, including the identification and provision of early intervention programs for students with special needs.

In particular, the Council will:

1. respond to proposals or positions of the Ministry of Education or other ministries as submitted to the Council from time to time;
2. identify concerns in the delivery of special education programs and services for exceptional pupils and provide information, advice and recommendations for consideration;
3. submit an annual report that includes the following:
   1. the Council's priorities and a plan for achieving them;
   2. an analysis of the achievement of the previous year's priorities;
   3. recommendations to the Minister.
4. meet up to 3 times a year for a maximum of 4 ½ days per year.

How does the appointment process work?

Organizations with an interest in special education in Ontario are asked to identify individuals who would be willing to serve on the Minister's Advisory Council on Special Education. From those identified, the Minister appoints 20 voting members to the Council¹. Each member represents a community of interest, such as an exceptionality or a professional category. A list of the communities of interest represented on the Council and the expiry date of each appointment is included with this document.

What if several organizations serve the same exceptionality or professional group?

For most of the exceptionalities or professional categories there are a number of organizations which represent the interests of persons in the community. In identifying persons who are willing to serve as council members, please try to confer with other organizations which serve the same community of interest.

Organizations who are solicited for nominations receive the following: a letter of invitation to nominate, this Questions & Answers document, a list of Membership Categories and Expiry Dates, a list of associations who are constituents of the Council and a Nomination for Membership form.

Who may submit nominations?

Any individual or organization may submit one or more nominations. In making appointments, the Minister will consider the breadth of support for the nominated individual from within the community to be represented.

There may be individuals and organizations with an interest in submitting nominations who did not receive this package. We would appreciate your assistance in sharing this information with others.

Who may be nominated?

Candidates may be members of your association, of another association serving the same exceptionality or professional group, or they may be individuals who have wide ranging contacts with others within your community of interest and who can represent those interests on the Council. We particularly welcome the nomination of consumers² to represent the exceptionalities.

We have nominated candidates in the past, but they were not selected. Is it worthwhile to nominate the same candidate again?

Each year, nominations are sought anew. The final selection is decided by the Minister of Education. The fact that a candidate was not appointed in the past does not mean there is no likelihood of future selection. A range of nominations is desirable to provide the Minister with a number of qualified candidates from whom to make a selection.

What factors will be considered in making appointments?

In making appointments, the Minister will seek candidates with knowledge of special education. In addition, the Minister is seeking candidates with a wide range of background experience in order to maintain a balanced membership representing:

• all regions of the province;
• urban and rural perspectives;
• public and separate schools;
• elementary and secondary education;
• men and women; and
• cultural and linguistic minority groups.

Clearly, each representative will be selected with multiple criteria in mind.

How are the interests of Francophones and Roman Catholics served?

Two of the members of the Council, in addition to representing their exceptionality or profession, act as representatives of the Franco-Ontarian community. Also, two members of the Council, in addition to representing their exceptionality or profession, act as representatives of the Roman Catholic community.

How are the interests of students and Native people served?

One position on the Council is reserved for a representative of students and youth and one position is reserved for a representative of Ontario's Native community.

What is the term of the appointments?

Appointments to the Council will normally be for a three-year period. Members will be eligible for reappointment to a second three-year term, for a maximum of two terms or six consecutive years of service³. Each year approximately one third of the positions on Council expire.

What is the time commitment required of members?

Council meets three times each year with meetings in June, October and February. Meetings span two days commencing in the afternoon of one day and continuing through the afternoon of the next day. Council also has a number of active sub-committees. Any sub-committee meeting scheduled between regular Council meetings are held by teleconference. The Chair and selected members of the Council meet from time to time with the Minister, or senior government officials. In addition, Council members are frequently asked to assist in special work groups and consultations with the Ministry of Education or other Ministries.

Members are expected to liaise with all organizations within their community of interest. The commitment required to accomplish this responsibility will vary considerably among members depending on the number of organizations and the complexity of issues. Contact should be made prior to each regular meeting of the Council in order to determine issues which should be raised. Following each Council meeting, members should report on the meeting to the organizations in their community of interest.

Are expenses covered?

While there is no remuneration for Council members, reasonable expenses for travel, accommodation, meals and communication with constituencies are reimbursed in accordance with the Government of Ontario guidelines.

When can we submit nominations?

Membership for the various exceptionalities/categories expires according to a predefined schedule. (See the attached Membership Categories and Expiry Dates). At the end of November, a formal letter is sent out inviting the organizations for whose membership term is expiring to submit nominations for consideration. These nominations are forwarded to the Special Education Policy and Program Unit. However, individuals who are not represented by an organization, and are interested in becoming a member on the Council, can contact Mark Agius, Secretary to the Council, for information as to how to submit an application. He can be reached at 416-314-8757 or by e-mail at Mark.Agius@ontario.ca.

How do we submit nominations?

If you are interested in nominating one or more persons who would be willing to serve on the Council, please submit a completed copy of the nomination for membership form. Each submission should include a current resume or brief biographical sketch of the person being nominated which outlines their knowledge and experience relevant to the position they are seeking on the Council.

In order for a nomination to be considered, it must be signed by both the nominator and the nominee.

Nominations should be addressed to:

Mr. Mark Agius, Secretary,
Minister's Advisory Council on Special Education
Special Education Policy and Program Unit,
900 Bay St. 18th Floor
Toronto, Ontario
M7A 1L2

or faxed to us at (416) 314-0637

How do I get more information?

If you have questions concerning the Minister's Advisory Council on Special Education or the nomination process please call Mr. Mark Agius, Secretary to the Council, at (416) 314-8757, by fax at (416) 314-0637 or by e-mail at Mark.Agius@ontario.ca.

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Membership Categories and Expiry Dates

Exceptionalities / Community of Interest Represented	Expiry Dates
Exceptionalities
Learning Disabilities	March 31, 2009
Pervasive Developmental Disorders / Autism	March 31, 2010
Deaf / Hard of Hearing	March 31, 2011
Gifted	March 31, 2009
Developmental Disability	March 31, 2010
Blind/Low Vision	March 31, 2011
Physical Disability	March 31, 2011
Multiple Disabilities	March 31, 2010
Vice Chair / Emotional / Behaviour Disorder, and Roman Catholic Community	March 31, 2009
Educator Groups	Expiry Dates
Supervisory Officers	March 31, 2010
Trustees / French Language Community	March 31, 2011
Chair / Principals	March 31, 2011
Teachers / French Language Community	March 31, 2009
Teachers' Assistants	March 31, 2011
Professional Support	Expiry Dates
Medical Practitioners	March 31, 2010
Psychologists	March 31, 2011
Social Workers	March 31, 2010
Speech and Language Pathologists	March 31, 2009
Other	Expiry Dates
Student / Youth	March 31, 2010
Aboriginal Communities	March 31, 2010
Any concerns or questions can be addressed by contacting Mr. Mark Agius at (416) 314-8757. Download the following nomination form in Word or WordPerfect.

NOMINATION FOR MEMBERSHIP TO THE MINISTER'S ADVISORY COUNCIL ON SPECIAL EDUCATION
This nomination submitted by: (name, association, address and telephone)
Nominee: (Name, title, address, telephone of the person you are nominating)
For which seat on Council should this person be considered?
Organizational affiliations of the nominee relevant to this nomination:
Other information: (e.g. experience in special education, advocate, consumer, region of Ontario, school sector, English or French sector, cultural or linguistic minority) Please attach a current resume or brief biography of the nominee.
________________ Signature of Nominator	_________________ Signature of Nominee
The information on this form (and the attached resume or biography) is being collected under the authority of section 10(a) of the Education Act. This information will be used for the purpose of considering the nominee for appointment to the Minister's Advisory Council on Special Education. Biographical information appearing on this form may be published when and if the candidate is appointed. The nominee consents to such a disclosure and agrees that it is consistent with the purpose for which the information is being collected. Inquiries regarding this collection should be directed to Mr. Mark Agius, Secretary to the Council at (416) 314-8757.

Notes:

1. In addition, there are four non-voting members: one each from the Ministries of Health and Long Term Care; Children, Family and Community Services; Training, Colleges and Universities and The Children's Secretariat.
2. Persons with an identifiable exceptionality and who use, or once used, special education programs and services, or parents of such a pupil.
3. Special appointments of one and two years were made in 1997 to establish the rotation of members.