“These materials have been reprinted from the Leadership Manual 2004 published by the BC Confederation of Parent Advisory Councils.”
No part of this manual may be reproduced for commercial purposes. © 2004 BC Confederation of Parent Advisory Councils

Advisory Role Under the School Act

Under the School Act, PACs and DPACs have an advisory role in schools and districts:

• A PAC, through its elected officers, may advise the school board, principal, and staff on any matter relating to the school, other than matters assigned to the school planning council. [School Act, section 8(4)]

• A PAC, through its three elected representatives on the school planning council, participates in preparing an annual school plan to improve student achievement in the school. [School Act, sections 8.1 and 8.3]

• A DPAC may advise the school board on any matter relating to education in the school district. [School Act, section 8.5(1)]

Activities of PACs and DPACs to Support Their Advisory Role

PACs and DPACs are involved in many kinds of activities to support their advisory role under the School Act, including

• promoting parent involvement in schools

• communicating with parents about the school and district

• providing parent education and professional development

• providing a forum for discussion of educational issues

• assisting parents and students in obtaining information and communicating with the school and district

• advocating for students and parents, and supporting local advocacy projects

• organizing activities and events for students and parents

• providing financial support for the goals of the council, as identified by the members.

Comprehensive List of PAC and DPAC Purposes

Following is a list of purposes of PACs and DPACs, reflecting the full range of activities PACs and DPACs are typically involved in. This list is not necessarily in order of priority. Through discussion, councils will decide for themselves which purposes are most important to them. This list is often used as a starting point for developing a PAC or DPAC constitution or mission statement.

Purposes of PACs

1. To promote the education and welfare of students

2. To encourage parent involvement in the school

3. To advise the school board, principal, and staff on any matter relating to the school, other than matters assigned to the school planning council

4. To participate in the work of the school planning council through the PAC’s elected representatives

5. To promote the interests of public education

6. To provide leadership

7. To contribute to a sense of community within the school and between the school, home, and neighbourhood

8. To provide parent education and professional development, and a forum for discussion of educational issues

9. To assist parents in obtaining information and communicating with the principal and staff about their child's progress or other concerns

10. To assist the principal and staff in ensuring the highest safety standards are maintained in the school and neighbourhood

11. To organize and support activities for students and parents

12. To provide financial support for the goals of this council, as determined by the membership

13. To advise and participate in the activities of the district parent advisory council and the BC Confederation of Parent Advisory Councils

Purposes of DPACs

1. To be the collective voice of parents in the school district

2. To advise the school board on any matter relating to education in the district, including the district’s Accountability Contract

3. To communicate with parents and parent advisory councils on educational matters

4. To promote the interests of public education

5. To provide parent education and professional development, and a forum for discussion of educational issues

6. To assist parents in forming a parent advisory council in every school

7. To assist members in obtaining information and communicating with district personnel

8. To provide and support a local advocacy project

9. To communicate with other organizations in the community and province on educational matters of common interest

10. To advise and participate in the activities of the BC Confederation of Parent Advisory Councils

The PAC Network in BC Public Education