District-Wide Parent & Family Advisory Committees

District-Wise Parent/Family Advisory Committees are a volunteer body of parents who represent a specific community within PPS. These committees are not appointed by the board, but serve as an advisory council for the Superintendent, Board of Education, and the District. These committees are distinct from Board Committees and Board-Related Committees. There are currently three Advisory Committees: the Special Education Advisory Council, the English Language Learner Advisory Council, and the Talented & Gifted Advisory Council. The following is information on each council.

The Special Education Advisory Council (SPEAC)

Council Charge

The SPEAC is a body to represent the parents of special education students. The council is required to meet with the Board of Education regularly. The main duties of the advisory council include:

• Advise the district on planning, development, and evaluation of the disability programs
• Connect parents, guardians, and school administration on issues and questions around special education
• Share information concerning special education issues that impact all families in PPS
• Provide a forum for parents and guardians and other interested citizens to maintain a dialogue with PPS on concerns and issues relating to the education, health, and safety of all students enrolled in special education programs.
• To provide and promote information and educational opportunities for the community on topics related to special education services.
• Serve as an advisory group that addresses system-level challenges affecting students with disabilities and their families.

Those who wish to gain more information on the council must complete this Special Education Family Liaison Form.

Council Membership

Those who wish to join SPEAC must complete this Google Form.

The English Language Learner (ELL) Advisory Council

Council Charge

The ELL Advisory Council is a group of parents and community stakeholders who meet "to evaluate the services in place for Emergent Bilingual students (EBs) at Portland Public Schools." According to the PPS website, the ELL Advisory Council must "...work directly with ESL Department administrators and teachers to examine District policies and procedures, develop and sustain communication channels, and make recommendations on how to best help EBs and their families engage with the school system."

Council Meetings

The ELL Advisory Meeting meets quarterly. The meetings are open to the public and all EB parents. A light meal and childcare will be provided. In order to RSVP, you must contact Francisco Garcia:
Phone: 503-916-3097 E-mail: fgarcia@pps.net

The Talented & Gifted Advisory Council (TAGAC)

Council Charge

The TAG Advisory Council is a volunteer body that reviews all aspects of the Talented and Gifted Program, and makes recommendations "to the TAG Administrator, the Superintendent and the School Board, with respect to services for talented and gifted students in Portland Public Schools", as well as students' educational experiences and needs within PPS schools. TAGAC meets regularly with the TAG department for updates and discussion, to hear from parents, and to problem-solve. A report of the Council's activities shall be provided to all three bodies annually. Some areas of the council's consideration include:

• Consistent identification and services for English Language Learner (ELL) students
• Consistent identification and services for twice-exceptional (2E) students
• Appropriate and consistent rate and level of opportunities in all elementary schools
• Accelerated learning opportunities in all middle and high schools
• Predictable, automatic TAG services

Council Members

According to the current TAGAC Bylaws, The Council is required to have approximately 12 to 18 members. Membership should take into consideration gender, race, ethnicity, culture, and socioeconomic status. It should also include "parents or guardians of elementary school children, middle school children, and high school children, with additional consideration of geographic representation." 6 spaces must be reserved for underrepresented racial groups. The TAG administrator and the Chair of the council may appoint members of the council. In order to apply to the council, you must email emailtagac@gmail.com.

Council Meetings

Meetings are held monthly during the school year. See the current schedule on the sidebar of the TAGAC Page on the PPS website. This sidebar also includes links to the running agenda, bylaws, meeting minutes, and archived materials.