District Advisory Councils

The Family of Schools District Advisory Councils (DAC's) are mandated to help shape an education system that is focused on and meets the needs of learners by advising the Minister of Education and Lifelong Learning on education matters.

District Advisory Councils Role

• Advise the Minister on education issues
• Identify education priorities within their own district
• Engage school communities in discussions
• Foster collaboration among school councils, home and school associations and the community

The councils will consider a balance between local issues brought forward by council members and topics on which the Minister is seeking advice. Priorities identified and discussed previously at DAC's include:

• Early interventions for students
• Mental health & Student Well-Being Teams 
• Healthy school food for all Island students
• Homework guidelines
• Staffing models and meeting school needs
• Class size and composition
• Common assessments
• Psych Ed assessments
• Late french immersion
• Flexible learning
• Equity in education
• Traffic safety 

District Advisory Councils Membership

• One parent from each school council/home and school association in the family of schools
• Two students from high schools within the family of schools
• A regional director of the P.E.I. Home and School Federation for each family of schools

Members can be elected or appointed, and it is up to each DAC to determine its own process. 

• Parent terms are two (2) years, with the option to renew once for a maximum of four (4) years of service. 
• Student terms are 1 year, with the option to renew once for a maximum of two (2) years of service.

• Representatives are encouraged to bring any information forward to the council meetings that may be of interest to other parents, teachers and students. Agendas are based on action items carried forward as well as any new business any member would like added. 
• Often guests attend to provide information to members about priorities, programs and services offered by the Department of Education and Lifelong Learning or Public Schools Branch.
• At the end of the meetings, representatives are encouraged to go back to their school community and gather information on the priorities for their school and areas that might be discussed at the next meeting.

Transparency and Accountability

• Key themes from council meetings and reports will be posted in the RESOURCES section of this site by the family of school. (Please note: This is not a comprehensive record. A summary of the discussion is provided to each DAC for consideration before posting online).