Family engagement and participation in decision-making is essential to school improvement and student achievement. Serving on Groups is a nationally recognized leadership tool that empowers family members to actively and fully participate in decision-making groups, such as their child’s IEP team, school advisory council or other government councils. Sections 1 and 2 explain types of decision-making groups and offer suggestions on how to effectively participate to make a difference on issues that are important to you.

Presenter:

Jan Serak is the Director of Serak Consulting Services, LLC, where she contracts with nonprofit organizations to provide Board training, interim nonprofit management, curriculum development, and other services. Prior to her retirement, she was the founder and CEO of WI FACETS. She was also a founder and the Parent Partner of the WI Special Education Mediation System. Jan has served on many Boards, including National PLACE, Autism Society of America, Autism Society of SE WI, and Autism Society of WI; the Center for Alternative Dispute Resolution in Special Education (CADRE). She also served on the WI State Superintendent’s Council on Exceptional Education, WI Governor’s Read to Lead Task Force, OSEP State Advisory Panel, Quality Education Coalition, and the National Center for Deaf-Blindness Advisory Board. Jan received her M.A. in Educational Psychology and Dispute Resolution from Marquette University. She is the parent of two adult sons, one of whom has autism.

Learning Objectives:

Learn about shared decision making, why it’s important, and how to fully participate in that process within a group.

Learn about tools for selecting groups that best fit their interests and time available.

Learn about the functions of 6 different types of groups and the roles of their members.