parent advisory council (PAC)

1.  Q:  What is a Parent Advisory Council (PAC)?

       A:   A PAC is a standing committee or council of individuals interested in improving special education services in their district.
     

2.  Q:  What is the purpose?
     
     A:  The purpose of the PAC is to improve special education services through collaboration between district personnel and parents.
      

3.  Q:  What about membership?

       A:  The number of members, roles, positions, titles, etc. is determined at the local level.  The PAC should include administrators, staff and parents of students with disabilities and without disabilities.

The focus must be on family involvement in special education so it might be best to have a majority or more of parents of special education students as members, but no predetermined numbers have been established.  The selection process may be crucial to PAC success.   

4.  Q:  Is a district required to have a PAC?

     A:  Although there are no state or federal requirements for districts to form a PAC, DESE/DSE encourages the formation of PACs for improved services to students with disabilities.

5.  Q:  What are the advantages to having a PAC?

       A:  An active and effective special education parent advisory council (PAC) can be a true asset to a school district, by providing parent involvement and input on special education issues.  The district may be able to recruit members who very much wish to offer help and advice.  Also, such an advisory council can be formed around programs for which the school district needs specific and technical expertise in order to meet the needs of children with disabilities.  And finally, a special education advisory council can extend district connections and support into a broader segment of the community.
   

6.  Q:  How can we create a successful Special Education Parent Advisory Council?

       A:  Before creating an advisory council, consider the following issues:

1. What is the purpose of the council? What do the parents want it to accomplish?

2. What will the council expect the individual members to do in order to achieve its purpose?

3. To whom will this council report?

4. Who will  have the authority to select its members?

5. Who will provide the staff support to orient, educate, and work with the members of the council?

6. How much time will this take?

7. Whose responsibility is it?

8. How will the council recruit members?

9. How large should the council be in order to carry out its purpose?  Will it need subcommittees?

10. What is the nature of the relationship between the school district, the board of education, and the parent advisory council?

11. What are the financial costs for the council on an annual basis (e.g., travel, meals, materials, staff support)?

12. To what extent are the school district administrators and the local school board in favor of the council?

13. Will the council members need liability insurance?

  Determining clarity in purpose, role, and scope is key to a successful PAC.

 It is also important to communicate the mission of the school district and its commitment to the PAC.  Leadership, support, and expectations of all will help to form a cohesive group.         

7.  Q:  What are the duties of PAC members?

       A:  After answering some of the questions posed above, the local PAC will need to establish clear assignments and duties.  One excellent method for determining district strengths and concerns is to do a survey or needs assessment of the district.  One example of a district "Needs Assessment" is posted at:

  http://www.parentsinc.org/spedpac/assessment.html

The results of a needs assessment will help to determine appropriate activities.  Districts may need to include orientation and/or continuing education programs for members and other parents/staff.

8.  Q:  What are some activities the PAC should consider?

       A:  

• Provide advice to the local district on special education services; coordinate district-wide school, family, and community partnerships in support of special education. 
• Determine areas of focus, develop long-range plans of action and identify potential funding sources.
• Assist in developing parent-teacher support groups.
• Devise ways to use mediation effectively.
• Track participation of parents of special education students in all district parent councils, committees, etc.
• Provide training for parents and teachers on special education and the IEP process, communication and decision-making skills, and related disability issues.

9.  Q: What are some ideas on how to get started?  

       A:  1.  Identify the existing parent groups within the districts, such as PTAs, PTOs, parent support groups, etc.
             2.  Use an existing group as a jumping off point.
             3.  Include your meeting announcement flyers in the grade card mailings.
             4.  Invite parents whose children have 504 plans also.
             5.  Does your district have a Web Page?  If so, the PAC may want to post meeting announcements, minutes, upcoming training and events on the district web page.

10.  Q:  What resources are available?

          A:  CISE
             The Center for Innovations in Special Education (CISE) has a free resource library of materials that may be of interest to Parent Advisory Councils.  Materials include books, videotapes, training curriculum, manuals and address parent issues, disability awareness, instructional strategies, leadership, and much more.  Materials can be borrowed for up to four weeks.  The borrower is responsible for the return postage.  Visit the CISE on-line catalog to search and order resources: http://www.cise.missouri.edu/library/

Center for Innovations in Education (CISE)
205 London Hall
Columbia, MO  65211
(573) 884-7275
mocise@missouri.edu
www.cise.missouri.edu 

Statewide professional development and resource center serving educators, students, families, and the general public for 30 years.

            MPACT
            Missouri Parents Act (MPACT) is a statewide parent training and information center serving all disabilities.  MPACT offers information on-line, through the toll free phone line, 1-800-743-7634, as well as training sessions throughout the state for parents and agencies.

http://www.ptimpact.com/

11.  Q:  Why should a district establish a PAC?

       A:  Overall, increased parent involvement leads to quicker, more successful programs for the child, less stress for both parents and staff, and reduction in costs that might be spent through excessive trial and error.  A special education advisory council can become the focal point for building widespread parent involvement.  What is it that these PACs do to make them shine?  Usually they view themselves as an advisory council and information resource.  They collect information for parents, create resource libraries, and serve as a community liaison for disability awareness and inclusion.  PACs advise, teach, and support their communities.  

Successful PACs become a valuable resource to their community and school districts.  Whether it is conducting a needs assessment to share with the school committee or by supporting parents and keeping them informed, the PAC can make a difference.