The West Virginia Advisory Council for the Education of Exceptional Children (WVACEEC) is mandated by WV state Code §18-20-6 and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) §300.136 as the state advisory panel. It is charged with advising decision-makers regarding the needs of exceptional children which includes students with disabilities and students identified as gifted. The mission adopted by the Council is to influence the State Board of Education, public policymakers, and West Virginia’s citizens in ways that continuously improve educational outcomes for children with exceptionalities.
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FAQs
Participation in the WVACEEC meetings offers the opportunity to raise questions, voice concerns, and provide direct input to school leaders who help influence policy and program decisions. As well, parents gain greater insight into the education of students with exceptionalities. The great benefit of engaging in the WVACEEC’s work is that parents are not just addressing the needs of their individual students but participating in the big picture that impacts a larger number of students with exceptionalities.
Parents come together for many reasons—support, friendship, event planning, advocacy, information, and active response. While each of these purposes is important, the WVACEEC is NOT:
- an advocacy group, which focuses on upholding rights for individual students and advocating for change from outside the system;
- a limited effort focused on a single issue or immediate concern; or
- a Special Education PTO or PTA, which might plan carnivals, classroom activities, fundraisers, or other events.
Meeting Schedule
The public is encouraged to attend all WVACEEC meetings. Meetings are in-person and live-streamed. During meetings, parents, educators, and community members can hear what counties are doing to improve outcomes for students with exceptionalities, and time is also allotted for participants to address the council regarding ideas that pertain to all students or large groups of students with exceptionalities. (Individual student concerns should be addressed at the school district level.)
For additional information, contact Dawn-Embrey-King (dembreyking@k12.wv.us) or Melanie Hesse (mhesse@k12.wv.us).
WVACEEC 2024-2025 Schedule
| Date | Location |
| Wednesday, September 4 | Virtual- Members Only Meeting 10:00-11:00 am |
| Thursday and Friday, October 17-18 | Elkins and Marlington |
| Thursday and Friday, November 14-15 | Parkersburg and Glenville |
| December and January | No Meetings |
| Thursday, February 13 | Virtual Resource Fair |
| Thursday and Friday, March 13-14 | Madison and Logan |
| Thursday and Friday, April 3-4 | Wheeling and Weirton |
Council Staff
Dawn Embrey-King
Executive Director
dembreyking@k12.wv.us
304-796-1992
Marshall University Graduate College
100 Angus E. Peyton Dr.
South Charleston, WV 25303
Becky Sloan
Adm. Assistant
bsloan@marshall.edu
304-796-1992
Marshall University Graduate College
100 Angus E. Peyton Dr.
South Charleston, WV 25303
Council Members
Erica Sauer
Hancock Co.
Special Education Director
Rhonda Hayes
Boone Co.
Parent, Legal Aid of WV
Cara Price
Upshur Co.
Individual with a Disability
Parent Supports
West Virginia Parent Training & Information
99 Edmiston Way – Suite 101-102 | Buckhannon, WV 26201
Phone: (304) 472-5697 | Fax: (304) 472-3548 | Toll Free: (800) 281-1436
http://www.wvpti-inc.org/
West Virginia Autism Training Center at Marshall University
Old Main 316
1 John Marshall Drive
Huntington, West Virginia 25755
304-696-2332
West Virginia Behavior/Mental Health Technical Assistance Center
Marshall University
1 John Marshall Drive
Huntington, West Virginia 25755
304-696-2332
Disability Right WV
1207 Quarrier St Suite 400,
Charleston, WV 25301
(800) 950-5250
WV Developmental Disabilities Council
110 Stockton Street
Charleston, WV 25387
304-558-0416
WV ABLE
1-800-439-1653,
team@stableaccount.com
https://wvable.com
WV Family Engagement Center (WVFEC)
304-296-9021
https://www.theedventuregroup.org/wvfec
Parent Survey
WVDE IDEA Parent Involvement Survey
The WVDE is required to report (as a part of the WV State Performance Plan – SPP and Annual Performance Report – APR) to the US Department of Education the percent of parents with a child receiving special education services who feel that schools facilitated parent involvement as a means of improving services and results for children with disabilities. The WVDE uses an independent vendor to conduct a statewide parent involvement survey. The goal of the survey is to gain an understanding of how well schools work with parents as a means of improving services and results for children with disabilities.
The counties are divided into 3 groups. Each group of counties’ parents is mailed a survey once every three years. The surveys can be completed online or returned using an enclosed self-addressed stamped envelope. All responses are confidential.
2020-21
2023-24
- Barbour
- Brooke
- Cabell
- Clay
- Greenbrier
- Hancock
- Harrison
- Jackson
- Logan
- Monongalia
- Morgan
- Monroe
- Nicholas
- Pendleton
- Putnam
- Raleigh
- WVSDB
- Ritchie
2021-22
2024-25
- Berkeley
- Calhoun
- Doddridge
- Fayette
- Gilmer
- Hampshire
- Jefferson
- Lewis
- Lincoln
- Marion
- Marshall
- Mason
- McDowell
- Mineral
- Pleasants
- Pocahontas
- Tucker
- Webster
- Wetzel
- Wood
2022-23
2025-26
- Boone
- Braxton
- Grant
- Hardy
- Kanawha
- Mercer
- Mingo
- Ohio
- OIEP
- Preston
- Randolph
- Roane
- Summers
- Taylor
- Tyler
- Upshur
- Wayne
- Wirt
- Wyoming
It is important that all parents of students who have an IEP complete the survey. The WVDE reviews the input from parents to improve our work. Everyone’s input counts.
For more information about the WVDE IDEA Parent Involvement Survey, please contact the West Virginia Parent Training and Information (WVPTI) at 304-472-5697 or use this email wvpti@aol.com.