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of parents or guardians or students and <br /> school districts in the special education <br /> process, the PAC can invite speakers and e <br /> sponsor events and trainings aimed at <br /> other key topics in the area of special <br /> education. lobr` ■- <br /> -• ■ • <br /> D. Communicating with Non- • � ■ <br /> English-Speaking Parents <br /> • r r -. r r. <br /> As the diversity of the school population _ <br /> in many districts increases, PACs have ®• ■ <br /> had to grow more proactive about at_ - ■ - <br /> ® <br /> tempting to reach out to and involve <br /> parents who do not speak English. r ■ • -® . <br /> Outreach will be more successful if the � ' r - - • - <br /> PACs understand the value systems, es- <br /> pecially regarding involvement in schools <br /> and special education, of the diverse <br /> groups they are trying to reach. Efforts to ® r <br /> reach out and involve parents who do not <br /> speak English and who are from diverse <br /> cultures, will benefit not only the PAC <br /> members but will also impact the work of - ■ - . • <br /> the PAC and the advice it is able to give ® _ <br /> the district. • -. �- � ■ <br /> For a list of websites offering detailed _ <br /> - r - • r <br /> strategies on partnering with diverse <br /> families see Appendix C. ■ -® ■ - . • . <br /> E. Assisting the District in - � -■ � �,_ <br /> Conducting the Required °F <br /> Annual Training -mation for parents. Often, this training is <br /> held at the same PAC meeting at the <br /> Every school district in Massachusetts same time each year- which can help <br /> shall conduct, in cooperation with the ensure that people are aware of it and <br /> parent advisory council, at least one can plan accordingly. <br /> workshop annually within the school dis- <br /> trict on the rights of students and their Clearly, the intent of the regulation is for <br /> parents and guardians under state and the district to work with the PAC to <br /> federal special education laws," according organize this training and for the two <br /> to state special education regulation 603 parties to collaborate on its planning and <br /> CMR 28.03(1)(a)(4). In many districts, implementation. If the district is planning <br /> this training has become an important ahead, this training with the PAC should <br /> event that people associate with the PAC, fit into its overall professional develop- <br /> and that reinforces the image of the PAC ment plan for the school year. <br /> as a source of valuable, helpful infor- <br /> 11 <br />