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School Councils & Policy Making . – An Overview – Yukon School Councils Fall 2013 Conference Prepared by Yukon Education – Policy, Planning & Evaluation. Policy Making – An Overview . Introduction Legislation, Regulation and Policy Policy Development in Yukon Education
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School Councils & Policy Making – An Overview – Yukon School Councils Fall 2013 Conference Prepared by Yukon Education – Policy, Planning & Evaluation
Policy Making – An Overview • Introduction • Legislation, Regulation and Policy • Policy Development in Yukon Education • School Council Policies – jurisdiction • School Council Policies – examples • What Makes a Good Policy • When to Make a Policy…or Not • Effective Policy Development • Q&A
Legislation, Regulation & Policy • Legislation / Acts / Statutes – sets fundamental framework & major policy decisions; made by elected officials. Education Act • Regulations – subordinate to legislation; delegation of law-making authority; subordinate to main principles of Act, provides more detail but not major policy decisions. Act is paramount. School Council Election Regulations • Rules & Bylaws – procedural aspects within powers of legislation or regulation Education Appeal Tribunal • Policy – expresses govt. direction on the management of public affairs; guidance in applying legislation. Not binding legal effect or enforceable under law but binding given govt. direction and authority. More flexible; some discretion in application. School Growth Planning Policy
What is Policy? • Refers to plans, positions and guidelines of government which influence decisions by government • Many forms and levels: • Broad policy stating govt.-wide direction • Specific policy for a particular sector or issue-area • Operational policy guiding decision on programs • Examples – • Corporate Health & Safety (Yukon govt. wide) • School Growth Planning Policy (dept. wide) • FH Collins Attendance Policy (school council)
Policy Development – Yukon Education • Formal Process in “Policy Development Process Policy” • Deputy Minister Approval • Annual Work Plan – Policy Priorities (2013-2014) • School Council Input on Policy Development: • Policy Advisory Committee • AYSCBC Role • Yukon Education Website • Examples - School Growth Planning Policy, Research in Schools Policy
School Council Policies - Jurisdiction Within the framework of policies issued by Yukon Education under the Education Act: • School Boards have the authority to establish policies for the administration, management and operation of their schools (CFSY) s. 116(1) • School Councils may establish policies on any matter within their jurisdiction. s. 113(2)(e) • School Councils and School Board may establish, modify and approve school rules and other related School Council responsibilities in cooperation with school administration. S. 39(1)
School Council Policies - Jurisdiction • Education Act section 113(1) requires that a School Council shall: • (d) establish a procedure for resolving disputes between schools, parents and teachers (in consultation with the superintendent, school administration and teachers) • (i) establish and attendance policy for students who are enrolled in its school.
School Council Policies- Examples • F. H. Collins Secondary School – Conduct Policy, Student Attendance • Ecole Whitehorse Elementary – Dispute Resolution Policy • Del Van Gorder – Substitute Teacher Code of Conduct • Porter Creek Secondary School – General Discipline Policy • Others?
Good Policy Making Effective School Council Policies: • Are precise • Reflect the overall values of the school & community • Clearly define the school system’s goals & objectives • Are flexible and able to effectively respond to operational issues as they arise • Create a shared understanding by clearly defining expectations, roles and responsibilities • Envision and measure clear outcomes • Are written in plain language and easily understood • Are regularly reviewed and communicated Taken from AYSCBC Resource “Resource Document for Policy Development and Review for School Councils”
When to Make a Policy…or Not • Critical – understanding the problem that needs to be addressed • Defining the Problem or Issue (what) • Analyzing the issue, obtaining different perspectives • Situating the problem within a context (why) • Understanding frequency and scope • Support and Resources
Where To Start? • Education Act and Regulations • Yukon Education Website – Policies • School Websites – School Council Policies • Dept. Support – Policy, Planning & Evaluation Superintendents, Public Schools
Effective Policy Development High Level Attributes: • Leadership Direction & Support • Issue Identification • Issue Research & Analysis • Generation of Options & Solutions • Consultation • Performance Monitoring
Communicating Policy • Importance of communicating policies when developed and updated. • Know your audience – plain language • Wide-circulation to students, staff and parents • School websites, student and staff handbooks • Visible and available in the school
Policy Making Resources: • AYSCBC Resource Document • Manitoba Auditor General – Guide to Policy Development http://www.oag.mb.ca/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/PolicyDevelopmentGuide.pdf • Yukon Education Website • Yukon Education – Policy, Planning and Evaluation Branch