board of education homework help

board of education homework help

The Role of the Board of Education in Supporting Student Success: A Comprehensive Guide for Parents and Educators

1. Introduction to the Board of Education

In years past, Boards of Education were often known as “Boards of Directors” or as “Directors of Education”; and it often served as a governing body for schools, rather than as “education experts” as we see today. Thus, though the titles may have changed, the purpose remains the same. So, as we begin this Guide, let us first look at what a Board is, and their primary role. What is a Board of Education? A Board of Education is a legally created body that has been given the responsibility of governing the local school district and its programs. A Board of Education must vote to take action, and no single member of the Board has authority to take any action. The role of the Board of Education is to: Represent citizens with the goal of supporting student achievement. Act in the public good. – Fiduciary: Boards are the governing body of the school district. We establish and oversee the operating policies of the district. We have the responsibility to see that the district is well managed, but leave the day-to-day operation of the schools to the professional educators, primarily the Superintendent of schools. – Vision: We establish a vision for the educational program. We are the leaders of the district in determining what the educational programs should be and should look like for our students. – Point of Contact: We serve as a communication link between the school system and the community.

The Board of Education is a vital part of our educational system. Many times, while we hear much about schools, educational programs, and curriculum, we do not hear as much about the Board of Education. Although this is often the case, Boards of Education play a critical role in the overall educational system and safety of our schools for both students and staff. This handbook is an effort of the Pennsylvania School Board Association to help parents and districts understand the role of the Board of Education. It is our hope that this publication can assist both parents and educators in understanding the role and purpose of their local Board of Education. This 2nd edition of “The Role of the Board of Directors in Supporting Student Success” offers additional guides on right from thought Boards of Education can assist you (the parent, the public) by supporting student achievement.

2. Functions and Responsibilities of the Board of Education

Good work by the Board of Education has the ability to impact decisions that will impact the lives of children from pre-k to 12, as well as children with disabilities who continue in school (the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act has increased the age for transition services). In fact, from the moment a student enters school at age 5 until they step across the stage at graduation, roughly 97% of those decisions that impact them will be made by someone who reports directly or indirectly to the Board. These individuals will advise the board, advocate to the board, implement the policies made by the board, and enforce or monitor to ensure that the policies of the board are in action. To fully understand the impact and responsibilities of the Board of Education, one must understand the parameters through which the board operates. One of the main functions of a board of education is governance—specifically, policy governance. Both governance and the concept of policy governance have significant impacts on the board’s roles as decision makers.

Identifying the appropriate responsibilities for the Board of Education to have vested in them is an important part of this process. In the context of student success, the primary responsibility of the Board of Education is to be stewards of children and to ensure that resources (including financial, human, and physical) are effectively allocated to serve the well-being of all children. In reality, this includes all children, including those attending public schools, non-public schools, and homeschooled children. Their work should be student-centered and data-informed, working towards the greater purpose identified in the mission statement. The Virginia School Board Association suggests that the primary purpose and goal of a school board is to provide all students the opportunity for a quality education by setting direction, maximizing resources, and governing effectively.

3. Collaboration Between the Board of Education and Schools

Some people think that Boards of Education run schools the same way a city council runs a town. However, maintaining a school system that meets the diverse needs of the student population means aligning the goals set down in Board policies with the practical day-to-day operations of the schools—an active collaborative process with administrators, teachers, parents, and even the students themselves. This section of the handbook introduces the discussion of school governance. Part Four, “Developing and Policy,” will provide more practical details on how the Board and school staff are supposed to achieve these various goals. The Board of Education is responsible for designing policies that establish an expectation of success. It is the schools’ position to design programs to make success happen. Given another way, the Board is responsible for dreaming about what schools should be. Schools are responsible for actualizing that dream. Following this dialogue through the sections in the handbook will show how the Board and schools should “collaborate” together for success.

Too often, assumptions are made of an “us” and a “them.” The “us” represents the Board of Education. The “them” is the teachers, the administration, or your child. No entity of the school, from the Board of Education to your child, is capable of complete success without working together. The Board is responsible for defining the overall goals that we expect to see achieved by the schools. The schools are responsible for instituting the practical programs that achieve those goals. When things are thought out and communicated smoothly, what happens at school will be very close to the expectations of parents, the community, and the Board of Education. This means success for a school, for a child, and for the community.

4. Parental Involvement and Advocacy in Board of Education Matters

– Run for election to your local board of education. Some of the most articulate and adamant advocates for children with psychosis and autism are those parents themselves. A board of education works best when the diversity of needs and demands of the entire student population is translated into policies that hold district campuses to standards of care and efficiency for all. Outfit yourselves so that the challenges of early intervention need not stand in the way of getting to the robust independent success of living free.

The presence of involved parents and community members as part of the governing process of a school board creates a dynamic board focus that is vital to answering the question, “What could our schools be doing for each and every child if our schools are doing work that works?” The coalition of your interests in the school board in providing special education and special alternative education programs for all students for as short a time as possible necessary to achieve success is a voice that the superintendent needs to hear. Whether you are in agreement with the general philosophy and approach of the school board or not, parental involvement is one of the most valuable tools a community has, but only if it is used wisely! Some of the ways you can be a part of the decision-making processes as a parent and community member include:

One of the built-in checks and balances of the democratic process in a locally elected, non-appointed, non-functional school board of education is the potential for high levels of parental involvement and advocacy. Understanding how you can and should influence the policy making of your local school board is crucial to making the process more productive for everyone.

5. Ensuring Equity and Inclusivity in Education Policies

B. The board is also responsible for ensuring students are held to high standards and that we are an anti-bias, anti-racist organization focused on providing a culturally responsive education for all students.

A. The Board of Education sets the values and priorities for our school district.

Why does the Board of Education have anything to do with equity?

B. Equity and inclusivity in education policies and practices do not end with student success, certainly not with academic success. The cumulative educational disparities, for example, experienced by African American and LatinX students is not about student effort, student capacity or student culture. The results of these mismatches are unequal access to post-secondary institutions and careers and they should concern all of us.

A. One of the five conditions of collective impact is setting priorities in the work you do. A results and outcome statement is a statement of our community value and commitment. It provides a pathway for support for the School District as well as clear and communicated expectations.

Why are equity and inclusivity in policies important to ensuring student success?

1. Inclusivity in education notes the importance of including all students in educational opportunities and practices. This goes beyond student success to ensure all students are included.

What is inclusivity in education?

1. Equity in education ensures that all students have the opportunity to reach their full potential by accounting for differences in advantage. Education policy and practice must strive to set up conditions of support such that all students can thrive.

Ensuring educational policy is equitable and inclusive is a core responsibility of the Board of Education. What is equity in education?