What is a Special Education Parent Advisory Group (SEPAG)?
All 600 school districts in NJ have what’s called a SEPAG. This stands for Special Education Parent Advisory Group. We are a state mandated, parent driven group in charge of providing input to the local school system.
Simply put, we’re a group created for parents, by parents. We focus on building strong connections and keeping open communication with our district leaders, all with the goal of improving the policies and practices that shape our kids’ everyday experiences.
There’s a wealth of information, resources, and support systems available for Special Education families, yet many of them are underutilized or not clearly communicated early on, leading to important need‑to‑know information being overlooked as time goes on. The most important piece of information that is passed down from the school district is your basic rights,
P.R.I.S.E [Parent's Rights in Special Education].
Our SEPAG focuses on encouraging and empowering families to understand their rights and responsibilities in Special Education, so conversations with the school — and figuring out the right supports and services for your child — become a smoother and more transparent process. Beyond our state‑mandated role, we’re also Special Education parents ourselves, here to support other families through the everyday challenges and milestones they experience both in the classroom and in the real world.
*New Jersey Administrative Code (N.J.A.C.):6A:14-1.2(h) states:
Each district board of education shall ensure that a special education parent advisory group is in place in the district to provide input to the district on issues concerning students with disabilities.
