The Exceptional Student Education Department (ESE) Announces the Creation of the

ESE Parent Advisory Council (PAC) 

During the 2001-2002 school year the ESE Department formed an ESE Parent Advisory Council.  The ESE Parent Advisory Council is a group of ESE parents called together to work collaboratively with the ESE Department regarding topics of concern for parents with children in special programs.  The Advisory Council has meets quarterly.  The Council is charged with the following responsibilities: 

¨      Support and expand the District’s vision for inclusion

¨      Provide input in ESE strategic planning and policy development

¨      Assisting in identifying appropriate training needs (for parents, students and educators)

¨      Act as an information sharing entity to keep parents informed of training opportunities and important community events

¨      Providing the  parent perspective to ESE programs

¨      Providing families with information and guidance on how to access educational and community services

¨      Assure that parents of children with disabilities receive training and information to help improve results for their children.

¨      Emphasizing and strengthening family roles and responsibilities in the educational process

¨      Enhancing partnerships between schools and community support services

¨      Strengthening home-school relationships by facilitating positive pro-active communication between families and educators

¨      Design, administer and analyze a district-wide parent/student/family survey to identify parent’s needs

¨      Empower parents to become positive, informed advocated for their child(ren)

¨      Develop a cadre of parents that could serve as a resource and mentors to parents starting the ESE journey.

¨      Review, discuss and present educational legislative concerns to local Legislators.   

The ESE Parent Advisory Council completed the development of a Parent Survey that was distributed in January 2002.  Final results of the survey data were distributed to the Parent Advisory Council at the February 2003 meeting.  Results of the survey have been used to assist the Exceptional Student Education Department with strategic planning. a follow-up survey will be sent to parents in March 2005.   All Advisory Council meetings are held in the Music Room (#305) at Bessey Creek Elementary School on Matheson Avenue in Palm City at 6:30 p.m.  For more information about the ESE Parent Advisory Council please contact Donna Hosang, ESE Parent Liaison, 772-219-1200 extension 30476 or hosangd@martin.k12.fl.us.