At a State level, the Council served for a number of years as the Advisory Council for Exceptional Children with a primary mandate to advise the State Board of Education of the educational needs of exceptional children. Delaware Senate Bill 353, passed in 1977, gave the Council its present name and expanded its responsibilities to cover the human service needs (including education) of exceptional citizens of all ages.

At a federal level, the Council serves as the State Advisory Panel for the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and its amendments.

1. Delaware Code: Title 14, Chapter 31, Sub. Sec. 3111
   “…the Governor shall appoint an advisory council to act in an advisory capacity to the State Board of Education and other state agencies on the needs of exceptional citizens. The General Assembly shall provide for the maintenance of the council…”
2. Federal Statute: Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and its amendments
   The State Advisory Panel will:

• Advise(s) the state educational agency of unmet needs within the state in the education of children with disabilities;
• Comment(s) publicly on any rules or regulations proposed for issuance by the state regarding the education of children with disabilities and the procedures for distribution of funds under this part; and
• Assist(s) the state in developing and reporting such data and evaluations as may assist the Secretary under Section 618