Training for Parent Advisory Council (PAC)

Brief summary

Provide migrant students appropriate services and support that prepares them to have success in school. Provide opportunities for migrant students to complete their high school and beyond plan and to have a successful life. Give parents the ability to intervene in the needs of their children such as social, emotional and educational needs. Ensure that migrant students continue their education. Re-enforce and create effective relationships at state, regional and local levels to support migrant students.

Identify children between the ages of 3-21 that qualify for the Migrant Education Program. Identify the needs of migrant students between the ages of Provide services for the students according to the needs identified. Ensure that migrant students have the same opportunity to complete the same academic standards that is requried of all students. Ensure that academic and health data is transferred with sufficient time to the new school. Ensure that the services and activities provided under the program are evaluated.

Obstacles that affect academic learning Helping to minimize barriers to ensure academic success  Barriers in learning a new language  Differences in educational plans, methods of instruction and graduation requirements in different high schools  Changing homes  Inconsistencies in grade level assignments  Poverty  Differences in cultural and social expectations  Health problems in children  Problems in locating local health services

Why is the opinion of parents important? The parents help develop programs to satisfy the needs of their children and all the migrant students in their district. The involvement of parents is a vital component to the success of students. The migrant education program requires that all districts that participate in the program include migrant parents in the best possible manner.

Why is it important to include the suggestions from parents? The parents should be involved in the development of policy in the school (including the school improvement plans) The parents share the responsibility of high achievement integrated in the pacts/contract between the school and parents. The schools have the capacity to include the parents in the following: professional development/training and partnering between the oragnizations and businesses in the community.

Parent Advisory Council

The main function of the Parent Advisory Council is to work with the district in the planning and implementation of programs and projects. The evaluation of the program in comparision with state goals. Consider the topics that affect the migrant student. Create the agendas for the general PAC.

How is the PAC organized in your district? Activity: Create a diagram starting with the School Board of the school district

Questions for you to consider: How frequently should the Parent Advisory Council (PAC) meet? Where does the PAC meet? How many times have you attended the meetings? What do you understand about the financial process? What additional information do you need to know, to offer better recommendations to your district?

General meetings that help inform migrant parents about the items identified in the application.

How many times per year should a PAC meet? The state recommends a minimum of three times a year. What is the best way to assure that the PAC stay focused on the state goals? Adopt PAC rules/by laws so all members of PAC stay focused on the goals of the state program.

Is there a difference between a general meeting and a PAC meeting? Yes. A PAC meeting should focus on the state program goals and the local services that are being delivered to migrant students.

Can the migrant PAC combine with other programs that require the consultation of parents whose children are receiving services through those programs? Yes. The migrant program permits the combination with other programs for consultation of parents with the expectation that the PAC representatives have children served by these programs and the agenda topics reflect the combined programs.

Can a meeting with general topics be counted as a PAC meeting? Only if the meeting has topics specific to the Migrant Education Program (education for Migrant students), can it be counted as a PAC meeting.

Where can I find samples of bylaws for the PAC The migrant program has developed a Parent Advisory Council Manual that can be found at (Parent Page).

Of Migrant Education Program

What strategies or support services are being implemented at local level?

Academic guidance (implementing the graduation plan, credit accrual, access to academic services). Non-academic orientation (personal goal setting, personal problem solving and individual support). Support during the transition from high school to higher education (university) or the work place. Medical or dental support

Support of participation in leadership programs. Offer nutrition services Offer transportation services for school programs. Support access to social services.

What steps are being taken to evaluate implementation of program based on the district application? Have discussion at your table.

Migrant Education Program funds can not do it alone! Migrant students have the right to basic education and access to other programs (i.e. Bilingual, Title I, etc.) State Programs (Bilingual, LAP) Migrant Education Program Other Federal Programs (Title I, Title II, III, etc.) Special Education Basic Education

Helen Malagon, State Director Lupe Ledesma, Program Supervisor Sylvia Reyna, Program Supervisor Tel. (360)