BOARD/COMMISSION:  Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Advisory Committee

The Committee shall consist of 10-15 members including: Three to four parents of children who are DHH; four teachers of students who are DHH; two related service staff persons employed to work with students who are DHH; one representative of an institute of higher education that prepares to work with students who are DHH; one to two special education directors, coordinators, or supervisor; two people from another state agency that has a mission that includes services to children birth-21 who are DHH. The committee shall be geographically representative of the state and try to include at least two members who are DHH.

The purpose of the deaf and hard-of-hearing advisory committee is two fold: A) identify and prepare a legislative report on the aggregate, data-based education outcomes for children with the primary disability classification of deaf and hard of hearing, consistent with the commissioner's child count reporting practices, the commissioner's state and local outcome data reporting system by district and region, and the school performance report cards under section; and describe the implementation of a data-based plan for improving the education outcomes of deaf and hard of hearing children that is premised on evidenced-based best practices, and provide a cost estimate for ongoing implementation of the plan. B) provide general advice and counsel to the MN Department of Education regarding general procedures for assuring the needs of students who are DHH are addressed within the context of the entire special education program rules, priorities, procedures, and funding.