The Newton Special Education Parent Advisory Council (Newton SEPAC) is an all-volunteer group of parents of children with special needs in Newton, MA. As mandated by Massachusetts law, we provide feedback to the School Committee and school district on special education programs and policies, and participate in their planning and development.
Newton SEPAC also serves as a liaison between parents of students with special needs and school district administrators. We offer information to the community on a range of disabilities, resources, remediation approaches, and education issues. Topics presented at our monthly meetings include parents’ rights under special education laws and regulations, effective collaboration with teachers and administrators, and strategies for parenting and teaching children with a range of needs. Meetings are open to all parents, teachers, specialists, and others with an interest in education.
We run the Newton SEPAC online discussion group as a forum for parents to exchange information and share suggestions for community resources. For more information, contact us at info@newtonsepac.org or view our brochure.
About Us
The Newton Special Education Parent Advisory Council (Newton SEPAC) is an all-volunteer organization of parents of children with disabilities in the preschool, elementary school, middle school, high school, and in private schools who meet to learn more about special education programs, issues, policies, regulations, and resources. We run monthly informational meetings, maintain an online discussion group, and work with the school administration regarding our children’s education.
Liaisons to the SEPAC are in place for each Newton public school and for those attending private and out-of-district schools.
The formation of this SEPAC is mandated by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education:
603 CMR 28.07 (4) Parent Involvement
(4) Parent Advisory participation. Each school district shall create a district wide parent advisory council offering membership to all parents of eligible students and other interested parties. The parent advisory council duties shall include but not be limited to: advising the district on matters that pertain to the education and safety of students with disabilities; meeting regularly with school officials to participate in the planning , development, and evaluation of the school district’s special education programs. The parent advisory council shall establish by-laws regarding officers and operational procedures, and, in the course of its duties, the parent advisory council shall receive assistance from the district without charge, upon reasonable notice, and subject to the availability of staff and resources. The district shall conduct, in cooperation with the parent advisory council, at least one workshop annually within the school district on the rights of students and their parents and guardians under state and federal special education laws. (See MGL c71B, 1C and 3)
Newton SEPAC does not endorse candidates for elected positions.
Newton, MA SEPAC 