• Migrant Parent Advisory Council

     

    As part of the support system for migrant children developed by the national migrant program, each state is required to fund and support both LOCAL parent advisory council (PACs) and a STATE parent advisory council (SPAC).

    The local/regional PACs are made up of groups parents whose children qualify as migrant students, as well as other parents or community members who are involved in the migrant community, who meet regularly to advocate for and support migrant parents and families in their communities.

    The local PACs are supported by local migrant program staff and use a council structure including voting for president, vice-president, and secretary and a formal cycle of shared leadership that allows parents opportunities to lead and learn together.

    The STATE parent advisory council (SPAC) works directly with the Title 1-C director at the Oregon Department of Education. Each regional PAC sends one member to represent them at the state level, bringing feedback and news from their region to the department of education, and taking news from the department of education back to the parents in their region.

    The basic requirements for parent involvement are outline below: (Section 1118 of ESEA)

    Parental involvement is an integral part of all Title I programs, including the MEP. Research shows that parents play a significant role in the academic achievement of their children. Therefore, it is important for parents and schools to develop partnerships and build ongoing dialogues to improve student achievement. Title I supports parental involvement by enlisting individual parents to help their children do well in school. In order to receive MEP funds, SEAs, and the local operating agencies must implement programs, activities, and procedures that effectively involve migrant parents. An SEA must:

    1) develop its comprehensive State plan in consultation with parents;

    2) consult with parent advisory councils (PACs) regarding programs that are one school year in duration; and

    3) plan and operate the MEP in a manner that provides for the same parental involvement as is required in section 1118.