PARENT ADVISORY COUNCIL (PAC)

This webpage has been dedicated to all children with disabilities and their families. It is our hope that parents will explore our site, attend our meetings and become better informed about the educational environment in and around Williamstown-Lanesborough Public Schools. It is our responsibility to leave this world and our children in a better way, our PAC can offer guidance to help meet the full potential of our children. Parents need to know that by learning the laws and regulations that dictate special education, you can become a true partner in your child’s education while also acting as your child’s best advocate. Good advocacy will lead our children down the pathway to success. Remember, knowledge is power and PAC can help you gain the knowledge you need! Come to a meeting and find out for yourself what we are all about.

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MASSACHUSETTS STATUTE:

From Chapter 71B: Section 3. Identification of school age children with a disability; diagnosis of disability; proposal of program; evaluations and assessments of child and program

The school committee of any city, town, or school district shall establish a parent advisory council on special education. Membership shall be offered to all parents of children with disabilities and other interested parties. The parent advisory council duties shall include but not be limited to: advising the school committee on matters that pertain to the education and safety of students with disabilities; meeting regularly with school officials to participate in the planning, development, and evaluation of the school committee’s special education programs. The parent advisory council shall establish by laws regarding officers and operational procedures. In the course of its duties under this section, the parent advisory council shall receive assistance from the school committee without charge, upon reasonable notice, and subject to the availability of staff and resources.

Chapter 71B: Section 1C. Workshops on rights of students and their parents under special education laws of the commonwealth and the federal government

Section 1C. Each school district shall conduct, in cooperation with the local parent advisory council, at least one workshop annually within the school district on the rights of students and their parents and guardians under the special education laws of the commonwealth and the federal government and shall make written materials explaining such rights available upon request.

MASSACHUSETTS REGULATION:

603 CMR 28:07(4)

Each school district shall create a district wide parent advisory council offering membership to all parents of eligible students and other interested parties. The parent advisory council duties shall include but not be limited to: advising the district on matters that pertain to the education and safety of students with disabilities; meeting regularly with school officials to participate in the planning, development, and evaluation of the school district’s special education programs. The parent advisory council shall establish by-laws regarding officers and operational procedures, and, in the course of its duties, the parent advisory council shall receive assistance from the district without charge, upon reasonable notice, and subject to the availability of staff and resources.

603 CMR 28:03 (1)(a)(iv)

The district shall conduct, in cooperation with the parent advisory council, at least one workshop annually within the school district on the rights of students and their parents and guardians under state and federal special education laws.

Guidelines are available through the Massachusetts Department of Elementary & Secondary Education:http://www.doe.mass.edu/sped/pac/ and additional helpful information can be found at http://fcsn.org/masspac/

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