The Princeton Special Education Parent Advisory Group (SEPAG) provides opportunities for parents, guardians, students, PPS staff and community members to offer input to the school district on critical issues relating to students with disabilities. 

• All school districts in New Jersey are required to “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” (NJ Administrative Code 6A:14 -1.2h).  The Princeton SEPAG fulfills that mandate.

•  The Princeton SEPAG is a district-wide organization serving all classified students in the Princeton Public School District, from preschool through high school.  We aim to represent the interests of the nearly 1 in 5 students who receive special education services in the district. All families of students receiving special education services are automatically members of the SEPAG, as well as the general education PTO of their student’s school. 

• Parents and guardians are the core members of the Princeton SEPAG. Membership is open to any resident or staff member of the Princeton Public School District with an interest in special education, intentionally broadened to represent: 

  • families with IEPs and/or 504 plans

  • families with students who are placed out-of-district in other schools

  • families who are in the process of having their child receive programming, supports and services

  • and families who suspect their child(ren) may need support in the future.

Our Mission

The mission of the Princeton SEPAG is to Engage, Educate and Empower our community of families and educators.  

Our purpose is to provide input to the district on system-level issues to improve the policies, programs and services for classified students.  To that end, the Princeton SEPAG works to:

• collaborate with the Princeton Public School District by providing input on system-level issues affecting special education students with disabilities* for the purpose of enhancing the policies, programs and services for these students;

• participate in the development of priorities and strategies for meeting the identified needs of children with disabilities;

• foster an inclusive network of parents and guardians to share information, offer support, and solicit input on issues affecting students with disabilities;

• conduct outreach to increase the involvement of families of children with disabilities in making recommendations on special education policy; and

• provide informational programs throughout the school year covering broad topics of general interest to the Princeton SEPAG’s members.

*Princeton SEPAG uses the definitions of terms set forth in the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and its implementing regulations as well as the definitions set forth in NJ Law and Regulation.

Leadership 

The Princeton SEPAG Executive Board is made up of volunteers who represent the SEPAG at each PTO Council (PTOC) meeting and at Board of Education committee meetings; meet with District leadership each month; and organize events centered around topics of interest to SEPAG members.  Each school in the district has at least one parent serving as a School Liaison to help facilitate communication and partnership between schools and families and serve as a point person for special education related matters for their school.  Our Executive Board also includes a liaison representing families of students in out-of-district placements. 

Volunteers Welcome!

We welcome volunteers to help support our various initiatives. If you are interested in being a liaison or helping with (or leading) a project that will serve our community, please contact us.