Parent Committees: SSC & DPAC

SSC develops, annually reviews, and updates the Single Plan for Student Achievement (SPSA) for programs funded through the Consolidated Application Reporting System.

The SSC must recommend the SPSA to the local governing board for approval. Thus the role of the SSC is crucial to the success of the categorical programs a school may have.

The SSC must meet the composition requirements specified in EC 52852 unless granted a waiver from the State Board of Education (SBE).

SSC works at a school site level and works hand-in-hand with DPAC at the district level. 

1. the principal; teachers selected by teachers at the school, and

2. other school personnel selected by other school personnel at the school,

3. parents of students attending the school and/or community members selected by such parents, and

4. in secondary schools, students selected by students attending the school.

At the elementary level, the SSC shall be constituted to ensure parity between:

1. the principal, classroom teachers, and other school personnel; and

2. parents; or community members selected by parents.

At the secondary level, the SSC shall be constituted to ensure parity between:

1. the principal, classroom teachers, other school personnel, and

2. equal numbers of parents or community members selected by parents and students.

At both the elementary and secondary levels, classroom teachers shall comprise the majority of persons represented under subdivision (a) of this section.

At the discretion of the local governing board, the middle school may, but is not required to, include student representation on the SSC. If a middle school SSC includes students, the SSC must meet the composition requirements of secondary schools.

SSC membership may be determined by ballot or may be decided in an open meeting by voice vote. To broaden the support for the SSC membership selection process, and to avoid controversy over the selection of SSC members, board policy, or SSC bylaws may specify:

• The means of selecting members and officers

• Terms of office for members and officers

• The notice of elections for each peer group

• The responsibilities of the SSC and time commitment involved

• A policy of nondiscrimination, as may occur by limiting membership to a select group

Many schools elect members for a two-year term, with elections for half the members held in even years and half in odd years. This practice ensures that the SSC will not be composed entirely of new members each year. Some schools assure additional continuity by electing non-voting alternate members, who are seated as voting members by the SSC in the event of a midterm vacancy on the school site council.

In order to conduct business effectively, the SSC may include officers with stated responsibilities and authority, including:

• A chairperson to organize, convene, and lead meetings of the SSC

• A vice chairperson to serve in the absence of the chairperson

• A secretary to record actions taken at SSC meetings and keep SSC records

• A parliamentarian to resolve questions of procedure, often with the help of Robert’s Rules of Order or similar guide

• Other officers as necessary to perform stated duties in support of the work of the SSC

SSC members that are interested in taking their school-level involvement to the district-level may participate in the District Parent Advisory Committee. 

DPAC duties include:

• Provides input on various subjects when there is a need for district-level input, especially on issues relating to the needs of low-income and/or underperforming student groups
• Provides leadership to promote parent involvement at their school site
• Provides input into and feedback on the Title I budget

DPAC works at the district level and works hand-in-hand with SSC at the school level.