About PIAC

Education is a partnership involving students, parents, teachers, principals, staff, trustees, school boards, government, and the community. The Parent Involvement Advisory Committee (PIAC) is committed to strengthening this partnership and is committed to assisting parents, and school councils.

PIAC Vacancies

  • Trustee Gill (Ward 1) – 1 position
  • Trustee Lulka (Ward 5) – 2 positions
  • Trustee Tonks (Ward 6) – 1 position
  • Trustee Donaldson (Ward 9) – 1 position
  • Trustee Moise (Ward 10) – 1 position
  • Trustee Li (Ward 13) – 1 position
  • Trustee Story (Ward 15) – 1 position
  • Trustee Smith (Ward 17) – 2 positions
  • Trustee Patel (Ward 19) – 1 position

All parents of TDSB students are welcome to run for election as a PIAC Representative in their Ward. Contact your Trustee to find out about Ward elections. For more information: mail info@torontopiac.com. ​​

Vision

Supporting parents as partners in education.

Mission

To aid access to information and resources for parents, especially that of the Toronto District School Board (TDSB) and Ontario Ministry of Education, in support of more effective parent engagement in their child’s learning to improve student achievement and well-being, and enhance accountability of the education system.

Membership

PIAC Members are elected parent volunteers who form an Advisory Committee of the TDSB. Each TDSB Ward has two PIAC Members.

View the current PIAC Membership List (PDF, 79 KB)

Ward Co-Representatives are advocates who
  • provide information and advice on parent engagement to the TDSB; 
  • communicate with and support school councils of schools; and 
  • undertake activities to help parents of pupils of the board support their children's learning at home and at school.

Historical Perspective

In 2010, Parent Involvement Committees (PICs) within school boards such as the TDSB were formally established under the Ontario Education Act R.S.O 1990 “to support, encourage and enhance parent engagement in order to improve student achievement and well-being” [R.330/10, s.27 (1)]. Ontario Regulation 612/00 outlines how PICs are to be structured and operated.

Governance

PIAC is governed by a series of bylaws based on guidelines set out in the Ontario Education Act R.S.O 1990, Regulation 612/00 .

Member Roles and Responsibilities

PIAC’s mission as described above is fulfilled through the following roles and responsibilities: 
  • Acquire the skills and knowledge needed to fulfill PIAC's mission;
  • Communicate information from the Ontario Ministry of Education and/or the TDSB, to school councils and parents of TDSB students;
  • Share best practices with school councils and support partnerships between school councils to share effective practices with each other;
  • Identify and reduce barriers to parent engagement;
  • Develop strategies and initiatives that effectively communicate and engage parents in improving student achievement and well-being; and
  • Recommend how funding for parent involvement, provided under the Education Act as described in Ontario Education Act R.S.O 1990, Regulation 612/00, is to be used.

PIAC Working Groups

All PIAC non-governance Working Groups are open to the public, allowing parents and community members to contribute to the work of PIAC. PIAC values the hard work and input of parents and community members. Working Groups are a great way to get to know the education system and support parent engagement. PIAC Working Groups meet virtually. If you would like more information on the PIAC Working Groups or are interested in participating, please contact info@torontopiac.com