Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Logo
English Learner Education

English Learner (EL) Parent Advisory Councils

A school district or charter school operating a language acquisition program for ELs serving 100 or more ELs or in which ELs comprise at least five percent of the district's or charter school's student population, whichever is less, are required to establish an ELPAC. Additionally, ELPACs are also required in each school designated as "underperforming" or "chronically underperforming" and operating a program for ELs. ELPACs are intended by law to advise school districts and schools regarding matters that impact ELs, such as providing advice on English learner education programs, meeting regularly with school officials about educational opportunities for ELs, and providing input on school or district improvement plans as they relate to ELs.

The information below guides districts and schools in establishing and supporting effective principles for promoting and strengthening school-family partnerships, and offers recommendations for developing and supporting successful ELPACs.

  • ELPAC Information for Parents

  • Guidance for English Learner Parent Advisory Councils

ELPAC Leadership Convening

On February 9th and 10th, 2021, the Office of Language Acquisition held an English Learners Parent Advisory Council (ELPAC) Leadership Convening. Hundreds of educators and parents participated via Zoom, where attendees were able to choose to hear presentations and breakout sessions interpreted into one of seven languages. The Convening was very successful, and we look forward to continuing these events in the future. You can find the Convening materials below.

Online ELPAC Training Modules

ELPACs benefit when multiple stakeholders — including district and school leaders, program administrators, program coordinators, teachers, and other school staff — collaborate to support and build positive relationships with parents and families.

The online training sessions below provide guidance for multiple stakeholders to develop and sustain effective ELPACs that promote the academic success of all ELs and former ELs.

These trainings are based on the DESE Guidance for English Learner Parent Advisory Councils (August 2018) and the ELPAC Information for Parents document. They include two modules for districts and schools and three for EL parents/guardians. The parent/guardian modules are available in English, Spanish, and Portuguese:

ELPACs in Districts and Schools: Training for Educators

ELPACs for Parents: (English)

ELPACS Para Os Pais (Portugues)

ELPAC Para Padres (Español)

Recursos:

  • Preguntas frecuentes sobre los ELPAC de padres y tutores
  • Paquete de recursos de liderazgo para padres:
    • 01 Información de ejemplo de una reunión del comité de planificación de un ELPAC
    • 02 Folleto de ejemplo para convocar a los padres a hacerse miembros de un ELPAC
    • 03 Agenda de ejemplo de una reunión de un ELPAC
    • 04 Lista de cosas para hacer por ítem para reuniones del ELPAC
    • 05 Lista gráfica de cosas para hacer para reuniones del ELPAC
    • 06 Lista detallada de cosas para hacer para reuniones del ELPAC
    • 07 Recomendaciones para reuniones del ELPAC
    • 08 Guía para interpretación
    • 09 Plantilla de estatutos de MATSOL
    • 010 Guía para reuniones de ELPAC en línea

Last Updated: April 30, 2021

 
Contact Us

Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
135 Santilli Highway, Everett, MA 02149

Voice: (781) 338-3000
TTY: (800) 439-2370

Directions

Disclaimer: A reference in this website to any specific commercial products, processes, or services, or the use of any trade, firm, or corporation name is for the information and convenience of the public and does not constitute endorsement or recommendation by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.