About the Texas Special Education Continuing Advisory Committee

What is the CAC?
The Texas Special Education Continuing Advisory Committee (CAC) is established as a result of federal regulation and state law for the purpose of providing policy guidance with respect to special education and related services for children with disabilities in Texas.

Who serves on the CAC and how did they get appointed?
The CAC consists of 17 members, appointed by the Governor, from around the state representing parents, general and special educators, consumers, and teacher educators. A majority of the members of the CAC must be individuals with disabilities or parents of children with disabilities. Members of the committee are appointed for staggered terms of four years with the terms of eight or nine members expiring on February 1 of each odd-numbered year.

CAC Membership Listing
CAC Appointment Process at the Office of the Governor

What does the CAC do?
The CAC provides policy guidance with respect to special education and related services for children with disabilities in Texas. Specifically:

• advises the Texas Education Agency (TEA) of unmet needs within the state in the education of children with disabilities;
• comments publicly on any rules or regulations proposed by the state regarding the education of children with disabilities;
• advises the TEA in developing evaluations and reporting on data to the Secretary of Education under Section 1418 of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) 20 U.S.C. §1418;
• advises the TEA in developing corrective action plans to address findings identified in federal monitoring reports under Part B of IDEA;
• advises the TEA in developing and implementing policies relating to the coordination of services for children with disabilities.

Additional information on what the CAC does can be found in the CAC Bylaws.

When does the CAC meet?
The CAC meets approximately four times each year in Austin, Texas. The public is welcome to attend meetings. The next CAC meeting's date and locatiion can be found on the CAC home page.

If I have more questions about the CAC, whom should I contact?
For further information, please feel free to contact the e-mail address below.

Special Education Main Page

Texas Education Agency | Division of IDEA Coordination
1701 North Congress Avenue | Austin, Texas 78701-1494
Telephone: 512.463.9414 | Fax: 512.463.9560

Last Reviewed: November 5, 2008 | Created: December 17, 1997

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