Description:

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 provides board training, interim nonprofit management, curriculum development, and related services to nonprofit organizations. Before retiring, she was the founder and CEO of WI FACETS and a founder and Parent Partner of the Wisconsin Special Education Mediation System. Jan has held extensive leadership and advisory roles with state and national organizations focused on education, disability advocacy, and dispute resolution, including the National PLACE, Autism Society, and the National Center for Deaf-Blindness. She earned a Master of Arts 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.