Minister's Advisory Council on Special Education: Appointment Process

Since 1977 the Advisory Council on Special Education (and its precursor, the Advisory Committee on Special Education) have provided advice to the Minister 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.

Individuals with an interest in special education in Ontario may apply to serve on the Minister's Advisory Council on Special Education, whether or not they are affiliated with an organization.

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 below.

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.

Individuals with an interest in special education in Ontario may apply to serve on the Minister's Advisory Council on Special Education, whether or not they are affiliated with an organization.

In making appointments, the Minister will consider the breadth of support for the nominated individual from within the community to be represented.

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 applications from consumers2 who represent the exceptionalities.

Each year, the Public Appointments Secretariat accepts new applications for the Council.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 applications is desirable to provide the Minister with a number of qualified candidates in each community from whom to make a selection.

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 experiences 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Membership for the various exceptionalities/categories expires according to a predefined schedule. (See the Membership Categories and Expiry Dates below). At the end of November, a formal letter is sent out inviting the organizations whose membership term is expiring to submit applications for consideration.

All applications must go through the Public Appointments Secretariat. For more information, to apply online or to download an application form, please visit: http://www.pas.gov.on.ca/scripts/en/appl_how.asp

All applications must go through the Public Appointments Secretariat. For more information, to apply online or to download an application form, please visit: http://www.pas.gov.on.ca/scripts/en/appl_how.asp

You can either apply online or mail/fax your completed application form to:

Public Appointments Secretariat
Room 2440, Whitney Block
99 Wellesley St. West
Toronto, ON M7A 1W4
Fax: 416-327-2633

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