Overview

As a parent or guardian, you can get involved in your child’s education in many ways, including through the:

  • school council at you or child’s school
  • parent involvement committee (PIC) of your school board

Both encourage parent involvement in support of student achievement, equity and well-being.

School councils focus on an individual school. Learn more about school councils.

PICs provide advice at the board level.

Note: On this page, parent(s) also means guardian(s) as defined in regulation.

About parent involvement committees (PICs)

A PIC is an important advisory group that connects parents with their school board’s director of education and trustees. Every school board must have a PIC.

PIC builds parent engagement and supports student success and well-being by:

  • advising their school board on how to communicate with and involve parents
  • developing strategies and initiatives to engage parents effectively
  • helping parents support their children’s learning at home and at school
  • sharing information with the school councils and supporting their work

Each PIC can tailor its approach to the specific needs of its school board, community and members.

Attend a PIC meeting

Everyone is welcome to attend PIC meetings and learn how they work.

PICs meet at least 4 times a year. Check your board’s website to find meeting details and minutes of past meetings.

Membership and eligibility

Parents lead PICs and most PIC members are parents.

Parent members serve for a 1 or 2-year term. 

To be a parent member, your child must attend a school in the PIC's school board.

Other members include:

  • the director of education 
  • a trustee
  • up to 3 community members
  • a principal or school staff (based on PIC needs)

Read the regulation that outlines a PIC’s composition, function and mandate.

How to join a parent involvement committee

Contact your school board if you would like to join your local PIC.

Tips for running effective committees

Running meetings

Use these tips to hold effective PIC meetings:

  • plan meeting dates for the entire school year in advance
  • choose a central location for in-person attendees and offer remote or hybrid options
  • create and share an agenda before each meeting
  • record minutes and keep financial records
  • inform participants of operational procedures at first meeting of the year
  • make sure meetings are accessible
  • give all members a change to participate

Best practices

Effective parent involvement committees:

  • prioritize parent engagement to improve student achievement, equity and well-being
  • focus on the needs and interests of all students
  • maintain high ethical standards 
  • represent the diversity of the board
  • help school councils engage parents and create a welcoming environment
  • recognize the diversity of the parents within their school community
  • promote effective, accessible and ongoing communication among all partners in education partners including:
    • parents and guardians
    • caregivers
    • students
    • educators
    • school boards
    • government
    • the community
  • build a positive relationship with the director of education and trustees
  • tell parents how the committee is considering their advice and ideas
  • plan engaging meetings using the expertise of committee members
  • understand roles and responsibilities
  • use a clear and consistent process for decision making and conflict resolution
  • know our parent resources (such as the parent guide to our school system) 
  • are aware of our funding for parent engagement through their school board

Handbook for committees

We consulted PIC members from across the province to develop this handbook. It helps PICs understand their: 

  • purpose and mandate
  • roles and responsibilities
  • composition
  • function
  • operating procedures

The handbook also has tips, information and resources.

About the handbook

Read the handbook for parent involvement committee members.

This handbook reflects regulations for PICs that have not changed substantially since its publication. Most of the handbook’s content is accurate and valuable for PICs. Please note that:

  • a small number of hyperlinks are no longer active
  • the Parent Engagement Office is now called the Inclusive Education and Parent Engagement Unit
  • you should contact your school board about Parent Reaching Out Grants

Please email information.met@ontario.ca if you need help accessing information with broken links in this guide.

Alternative formats

Please contact information.met@ontario.ca if you need this information in an alternative format. We will:

  • acknowledge your request within 3 business days
  • provide you with the content within 15 business days