5/2/2012 SEPAC Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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I . REQUIREMENTS FOP PACS IN MASSACHUSETTS LAW A. Requirements in State General Laws, requires a school district to Statute and Regulation establish a PAC, and assigns both an ad- visory and a participatory function to the Special education parent advisory coun- PAC. cils (PACs) have tremendous potential to The following is the excerpt from Section have a positive impact on special educa- 3 of Chapter 71B that pertains to PACs: tion programs in a school district. PACs can provide invaluable activities for The school committee of any parents, and add an important voice to a city, town, or school district shall school district's dialogue and decision- establish a parent advisory council making. on special education. Membership First, for background, it is helpful to shall be offered to all parents of understand the recent history of laws children with disabilities and other relating to special education. There have interested parties. The parent ad- been many changes since the early days visory council duties shall include of Chapter 766 1, the state's 1972 special but not be limited to: advising the education legislation, and it is worthwhile school committee on matters that to review changes in state and federal pertain to the education and safety law to gain context and perspective. of students with disabilities, meet- ing regularly with school officials to Second, it is important to understand the participate in the planning, context in which laws and regulations development, and evaluation of the work together. In Massachusetts, for school committee's special educa- instance, the State Legislature enacts tion programs. The parent advisory council shall establish bylaws state laws or statutes, and then state agencies are charged with .developing regarding officers and operational procedures. In the course of its regulations that assist everyone in implementing the law. In this case, the duties under this section, the par- Legislature passed the law, and then the ent advisory council shall receive assistance from the school com- Massachusetts Board of Elementary and Secondary Education promulgated ac- mittee without charge, upon companying regulations. reasonable notice, and subject to the availability of staff and UThe State Statute resources. ..." The Massachusetts special education law, The State Regulation Chapter 71B of the Massachusetts There is an accompanying state regula- ' Chapter 766 - 1972 Massachusetts law (also known as tion that reiterates the language of the 7113) guaranteeing all children a free, appropriate public statute. See 603 CMR 28.07 4 . education in the least restrictive environment. 2 Chapter 71B - Massachusetts special education law, Additionally, 603 CMR 26.03(1)(a)(4) also known as Chapter 766, provides further guidance to PACs on http://www.mass.gov/legis/laws/mgl/gl-7lb-toc.htm their role with districts in providing 2