As a parent, you know how valuable it is to be involved in your children’s education. Parent/family involvement can happen in a number of ways: from helping with homework, to going to school events, to participating in development of an Individual Education Plan (IEP) or Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) for your child, to serving on advisory groups and sitting on committees. Here, you can learn more about different opportunities to participate.
- Parent Exploring Opportunities Form If you’re thinking of joining a committee or board, this form can help organize your thoughts and goals.
Be Involved- Early Childhood
Great Start Collaboratives serve as the local infrastructure for governance, planning, investment, advocacy, and innovation for the Great Start system. Great Start Parent Coalitions are another piece to the local infrastructure and the statewide system. The membership of the Great Start Parent Coalitions is open to anyone serving in the parenting role for a child under the age of 12 years, and who is interested in helping to assure that all children enter kindergarten safe, healthy, and ready to succeed in school and in life.
Local Interagency Coordinating Councils (LICCs) are local planning and advisory bodies for the Early On system, established through the 56 ISDs in Michigan.
- LICC One Page Summary
- LICC Parent Handbook
- For more information, contact your local Early On Coordinator
- Supporting Families of Young Children in Leadership Roles (video) Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center
Be Involved- Local Schools
Parent Teacher Association or Parent Teacher Student Association (PTA or PTSA) or Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) – Contact your local school
School Improvement Plan/Team (SIT) – Contact your local school
Be Involved- Intermediate School District
Each Intermediate School District (ISD) in Michigan is required to appoint a Parent Advisory Committee (PAC), composed of representatives (parents who have children who receive special education supports and services) from each of its constituent districts.
- MARSE Rule 340.1838
- Contact your local ISD for information on the PAC in your area.
- Key Questions for Parent Leaders to Ask PACER
- Guidelines for Exploring Interagency Opportunities PACER
Be Involved- Statewide Councils and Committees
Michigan Interagency Coordinating Council (MICC) strengthens and supports Michigan families of children ages birth to five with special needs by advising and assisting the Michigan Department of Education in the evaluation and continuous improvement of the Early On system.
Michigan’s Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC) meets monthly during the school year to learn about, discuss, and offer advice to the state education agency and the State Board of Education on issues affecting students with IEPs. The mission of the SEAC is to support opportunities for all students in Michigan, especially those with IEPs, by gathering, sharing, and disseminating information to the public; advising the State Board of Education; and working with the Office of Special Education.
- SEAC Membership Fact Sheet Family Matters
- نشرة حقائق عضوية اللجنة الاستشارية لتعليم ذوي الاحتياجات الخاصة (العربية)
- Hoja informativa: Membresía al comité asesor de educación especial (español)
The Michigan Developmental Disabilities Council (DD Council) works to support people with developmental disabilities to achieve life dreams. The 21-member Council is appointed by the Governor, and supported by a Lansing-based staff. Meetings of the Council are public – anyone may attend.
- DD Council Fact Sheet Michigan Developmental Disabilities Council
