removal of the limitations, however, lies

with ensuring access for students with

disabilities to their nondisabled peers

within the general education classroom

and the provision of accommodations

and supports for the students to be suc-

cessful.

A stakeholder group was convened

facilitated by Chairman Chico to discuss

options regarding 226.730 and 226.731

ISAC representatives attended this

meeting and will continue to participate in

discussions.

One of the responsibilities of ISAC is to

review changes to the Illinois School

Code to determine how proposed

changes may affect students with

disabilities. Currently, the follow

changes are being considered by the

Illinois State Board of Education.

Proposed Amendments to Part 226

( S pecial Education )

Both Sections 226.730 and 226.731,

which address class size, including a

definition of "general education

classroom", are being proposed for

repeal. The proposed amendments

were shared with the Illinois State

Advisory Council ( ISAC ) on the Edu-

cation of Children with Disabilities, as

required under the law, on February 6,

2013. Although ISAC members ex-

pressed their opposition to the proposed

rule changes, they conducted extensive

discussions, particularly about the 70/30

ratio. The council members understand

that class size restrictions, especially

the 70/30 ratio, may hamper school

districts' ability to provide inclusive

opportunities for students with

disabilities. Their opposition to the

ISAC Provide’s Public Testimony Regarding Changes to Part 226 Rules

Proposed Amendments to Part 23 (Standards for

School Personnel Licensure

Proposed Amendments to Part

23 ( Standards for the School

Service Personnel Licensure )

P.A. 97-607, effective August

26, 2011, changes the current

system of teacher,

administrator and school

service personnel licensure set

forth in Article 21 of the School

Code to a licensure system

( A rticle 21B of the School

Code ) . References to certi-

fication and related terms are

being changed to align this

set of rules to the licensure

system, which became

effective July 1, 2013.

Additionally, national s

tandards referenced in Part

23 for school counselor,

school nurse, school

psychologist and school so-

cial worker are being updated

to reflect incorporation of the

most recent versions avail-

able. Part 23 was promul-

gated in 2002, so the stan-

dards set forth in its provi-

sions date from the 1990s.

ISAC

WINTER 2014

Illinois State Advisory Council on the

Education of Children with Disabilities

MEMBERS Dr. Elizabeth Conran (Chair)

Sharon Slover (Vice-Chair)

Stephen Breese

Heath Brosseau

Tiffany Cole

Greg Donovan

Joanna Graham

Kristine Hohulin

Ronald Kubalanza

Suzanne Lee

Kimberly McClellan

Ancel Montenelli

De. Jennifer Naddeo

Marjorie Olson

Mike Otte

Lauri Phillips

Dr. Elizabeth Purvis

Rick Ramirez

Diane Blair Sherlock

Carrie Snyder

Susy Woods

Proposed Amendments to Part 28 (Standards for Licensure in Spe-

cial Education )

P.A. 97-607, effective August 26, 2011, changes the current system

of teacher, administrator and school service personnel certification set

forth in Article 21 of the School Code to a licensure system ( Article

21B of the School code ) . References to certification and related

terms are being changed to align this set of rules to the licensure

system, which became effective July 1, 2013.

Illinois State Advisory Council Members Needed

Proposed Changes to Certification in Special Education

that govern special education. To this end, it is imperative for

ISAC to operate with a full Membership. The ISAC is seeking

individuals who are dedicated to making a difference in the lives

of children with disabilities. There are currently several open-

ings on the Council:

1 opening for a Parent of child with a disability

2 openings for individuals with a disabilities

1 opening for a student with a disability

1 opening for an LEA Superintendent

There are council vacancies for two adults and one student with

disabilities, one parent of a child with disabilities, and an LEA

Superintendent. If

you are interested in

nominating yourself

or someone you

know to join this

dedicated group in

order to support the

children of Illinois,

please visit:

www.appointments.illinois.gov.

As our very own Governor Quinn says on the IL state web-

site…The office of citizen is the highest office in the land.

One of the best ways to participate in our democracy is by

serving on a state board or commission. These groups over-

see and advise Illinois' elected officials, state agencies and

organizations on a wide range of issues that affect the public

welfare.

The Illinois State Advisory Council on the Education of Chil-

dren with Disabilities is statutorily created by

Section 14-3.01 of the School Code of Illinois. The mission

of the Council is to provide advice and policy guidance to the

Governor, General Assembly, and the State Board of

Education with respect to special education and related

services for children with disabilities. Members are

comprised of a broad representative ’ s of the State ’ s

population who represent children with disabilities.

ISAC plays a critical role in the education of children with

disabilities in the State of Illinois. Policy makers hear the

Council ’ s collective voice when critical decisions are made

relative to Legislation that effects special education. ISAC

members are influential in the Rule & Regulation processes

Page 2

Illinois State Advisory Council on the Education of Children with Disabilities

ISAC LEGISLATIVE BREAKFAST

Page 3

The Illinois State Advisory Council on the Education

of Children with Disabilities invites students receiving

special education services, their teachers, parents,

and all Illinois Legislators to our 8th Annual

Legislative Breakfast. This event provides a unique

opportunity for our elected officials to meet Illinois

students, family members, and educators so that

these legislators can better understand the

challenges to obtaining a free, appropriate public education in Illinois. The breakfast will be

prepared and served by Illinois Students who receive special education services in our great

state ’ s.

Where: Illinois State Capitol Rotunda

Springfield, IL

When: April 9, 2014

8:00 am to 11:00 am

Financial assistant is available to students on

an individual and limited basis. For further

information contact Sharon Slover at

Sharon.slover@menta.com ISAC MISSION

The role of the Illinois State Advisory Council on

the Education of Children with Disabilities is to

be a proactive body, advising the Governor,

Legislature and the State Board of Education on

current issues relating to the education of

children and youth with disabilities. It is also the

responsibility of this Council to encourage new

strategies and technologies, while advocating

high standards of excellence throughout Illinois.

Illinois State Advisory Council on the Education of Children with Disabilities

Teacher ’ s Assistant with

Southern Illinois University

Edwardsville Head Start

where she works with three and four year

olds. Ms. McClellen and he husband

have created an advocacy organization

( A SD Advocate ) to assist families with

the challenges of having a family member

who has neurological disabilities. Ms.

McClellan is a member of the Board of

Directors of Family Matters Parent

Training and Information Center and the

National Alliance on Mental Illness

Southwestern Illinois ( NAMI SWI ) ;

additionally she is a member of the

special education advisory committee of

the Illinois Educators Association ( IEA/

NEA ) .

Lauri Phillips moved to Oswego with hus-

band and children in order to find a better

learning environment for her children. She

earned a Bachelor ’ s degree in Business

Administration from the University of St.

Francis in Joliet and has been an staff

accountant for an engineering and test-

ing firm for the last 12 ½ years.

Ms. Phillips has volunteered with the

Windy City Chicagoland Apraxia Network

for the last four years where she helps

with their annual walk to raise funds for

The Childhood Apraxia of Speech Asso-

ciation of North America ( CASANA ) :

the only national nonprofit public charity

dedicated exclusively for children with

apraxia. Ms. Phillips has served as a

Community Outreach Coordinator for The

Apraxia Connection ( formerly: The

Windy City Chicagoland Apraxia

Network ) for the past two years. She

also volunteers as the parent coordinator

for the Kendall County Parent Awareness

Diane Blair-Sherlock is a mother of two

children with special needs and is an

attorney in private practice. In addition to

work and family, Ms. Blair-Sherlock is

active in the community and currently

serves on several commissions and on

the Board of two non -profit Charitable

Organizations.

Joanna Graham and her husband from

Macomb are the proud parents of two

elementary aged children; one of whom is

visually impaired. A former elementary

school teacher, Ms. Graham is an

Associate Faculty member in the Depart-

ment of Health Sciences at Western Illi-

nois University where for 16 years she

has educated aspiring physical education

and health teachers. A tireless advocate

for children with visual impairments, in

2012 Ms. Graham received the WIU

President's Award for Excellence in

Diversity Education for her service to the

visually impaired community.

Ms. Graham is involved with Macomb

Lions Club and the National Organization

of Albinism and Hypopigmentation; she

also coordinates activities for the visually

impaired community in the West Central

IL. Ms. Graham earned a BS and Med

from Pennsylvania State University.

Kimberly McClellan is a wife and mother

of seven children ages 3 to 14; four of

whom have special needs.

Ms. McClellen ’ s experiences as a par-

ent and teacher bring a unique

perspective to ISAC. Currently, she is

Support Group of Everyone Reading IL,

which is a nonprofit dyslexia

organization.

Greg Donathan is a Deputy Director at

the Department of Children and Family

Services, overseeing the offices of

Education and Transition Services,

Policy, Advocacy, and Federal Grants

and Contracts. Greg holds a Master of

Social Work from the University of Illinois

at Chicago and is a Licensed Clinical

Social Worker. Greg worked for

McFarland Mental Health Center for 6

years as a Social Worker, Clinical

Director and served as the Treatment

Services Administrator for 3 years where

he oversaw the delivery of social work,

psychology, activity therapy and recovery

services for the 110 bed hospital serving

both forensic and civil patients. Prior to

his work at McFarland, Greg was em-

ployed by DCFS for 6 years, beginning

with the Department in the Director ’ s

Office and last serving as a Child

Protection Specialist in the Springfield

Field Office. Greg has at different times

in his career provided private practice

services to adults, youth and families as

well as divorce mediation services. Greg

resides in Springfield with his wife and

four children.

NEW MEMBERS TO ISAC

Illinois State Advisory Council on the Education of Children with Disabilities