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 What is a PAC?
What are the main functions and
responsibilities of a PAC?
What are Michigan's rules for
PACs?
Where do PACs get their funding
to operate?
Can a foster parent serve on a
parent advisory committee?
What can my local PAC do for me
and my child?
What is a PAC?
The Parent Advisory Committee (PAC) is a committee of parents
who have children in special education programs or receive services within their
local Intermediate School District (ISD). Each local school district
designates one or two parents to represent them in this committee. All
attempts are made to assure that all types of impairments are represented.
These committees exist according to Michigan Special Education Rule
340.1838.
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What are the main functions and
responsibilities of a PAC?
The Parent Advisory Committee provides input in the
development of the ISD Plan for Special Education Services. The ISD Plan
describes how special education services will be delivered and how the rights of
parents and students will be ensured. The ISD Plan is a very important document.
It must be approved by the Michigan State Board of Education before the ISD can
receive funds for special education. The Parent Advisory Committee may file
formal objections to the Plan if members feel that the Plan violates provisions
of special education law - this example is from Monroe
ISD's PAC Website.
The minimal responsibilities of the PAC are identified
in the Administrative Rules for Special Education. They include:
The ISD Plan, or any plan modification, must be
developed in cooperation with local school districts and the PAC.
All plans must be reviewed with representatives of
each local school district and the PAC, in whole or in part, at least
quarterly.
The chairperson of the PAC must sign the ISD Plan, or
any plan modification, signifying the committee was involved in the
development of the plan.
If the PAC determines the plan, or any part of it is
not acceptable, the PAC may file an objection to the plan in whole or
in part.
If an objection is filed against the ISD Plan by
another party, the PAC may file a response to the objection. - this
example is from Oakland
ISD's PAC Website.
PAC members serve as support persons to parents helping
them through the special education process. They are a valuable resource
to parents, providing them with information regarding:
Special Education Law
Parental Rights
Programs/Services available from Schools
Programs/Services available from Agencies
PAC members may serve as liaisons between the ISD, parents
and their local school districts. This helps all parties involved to
collaborate in the best interest of children with disabilities.
The PAC actively promotes the welfare of individuals
with disabilities through parent and public outreach and education.
A major function of the PAC is to review the ISD Plan.
This Plan is a written document describing how special education services
in our county will be implemented to meet the needs of our children.
Changes that occur in the Plan may very well affect your child; they
certainly affect someone’s child. It is important for parents to have an
active part in developing and reviewing the Plan - this example is from
Van Buren PAC Website.
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What are Michigan's rules for
PACs?
R 340.1838 Parent advisory committee
Rule 138.(1) A parent advisory committee shall be appointed by
each intermediate school district board.
(a) The committee and its officers shall consist only of parents
of handicapped persons with at least 1 parent from each constituent local school
district.
(b) Each constituent local board of education shall nominate at
least 1 parent.
(c) The intermediate school district board of education may
nominate additional members not to exceed 33 1/3% of the total parent advisory
committee membership.
(2) The intermediate board of education shall make every attempt
to assure that all types of impairments and all identifiable organizations of
parents of handicapped persons within the intermediate school district are
represented on the committee.
(3) The intermediate board of education may recommend
operational procedures for committee review and adoption.
(4) The intermediate school district shall secure or allocate
fiscal and staff resources to the committee to make it efficient and effective
in operation.
(5) The parent advisory committee shall have responsibility for
determining the organizational structure of the committee, including all of the
following:
Officers and their responsibilities
Meeting times
Notice of meeting times
Voting procedures
Terms of office
Related matters.
(6) The parent advisory committee shall participate in the
development of the district's plan for the delivery of special education
programs and services as required by R 340.1833.
(7) The parent advisory committee may provide advisory input on
any matters which the committee deems appropriate to the improvement of special
education services within the intermediate school district.
Each PAC creates their own bylaws.
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Where do PACs get their funding
to operate?
Their local Intermediate School District. According to R
340.1838 (4), "the intermediate school district shall secure
or allocate fiscal and staff resources to the committee to make it efficient and
effective in operation."
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Can a foster parent serve on a
parent advisory committee?
The answer is NO. The rule being interpreted is R 340.1838
(1) (a). "Parent" means the mother, father, or legally designated guardian
of the handicapped person. A foster family is licensed by the Department
of Social Services and the foster parents are responsible to care for those
persons placed in the foster family home. The foster parent is not
included within the definition of "parent" in special education rules, because
that person has not been designated as the legal guardian by the
court.
The intent of the rule is to have an advisory committee composed
of parents of handicapped students with "parent" meaning the student's natural
mother or father or the the student's legal guardian. A foster parent or
other responsible adult caring for the student is not the student's "parent" and
consequently, may not serve on the ISD parent advisory committee.
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What can my local PAC do for me
and my child?
The PAC works to achieve the following goals:
- Represent the needs of individuals with disabilities.
- Be open to hear the concerns of parents.
- Promote the welfare of persons with handicaps through
public education.
- Provides input in the development of the ISD
Plan for Special Education Services.
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