1 / 54

Mary Stires Director of School Support Stanislaus County Office of Education

School Site Council Roles, Responsibilities and the Single Plan For Student Achievement California Association of Compensatory Education Conference March 12, 2011. Mary Stires Director of School Support Stanislaus County Office of Education. Why do schools have School Site Councils?

whill
Download Presentation

Mary Stires Director of School Support Stanislaus County Office of Education

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript

  1. School Site CouncilRoles, Responsibilitiesand the Single Plan For Student AchievementCalifornia Association of Compensatory Education ConferenceMarch 12, 2011 Mary Stires Director of School Support Stanislaus County Office of Education

  2. Why do schools have School Site Councils? Who is on the School Site Council? How are School Site Council members selected? What are the roles and responsibilities of School Site Council members? What is the Single Plan for Student Achievement? This Workshop Will Answer:

  3. Why do schools have School Site Councils? The California Legislature believes that those who are most affected by the operation of the school should have a major role in the decisions regarding how a school functions.

  4. Why do schools have School Site Councils? Education should be a joint effort of those with most direct & on-going contact with students. Parents Teachers Administrators Other School Staff

  5. Why do schools have School Site Councils? All with the common goal: Success of All Students

  6. Why do schools have School Site Councils? Legislation requires schools to have a School Site Council to develop a plan (Single Plan for Student Achievement) for programs that are funded through the Consolidated Application. Economic Impact Aid (E.I.A) Title I

  7. Who is on the School Site Council?

  8. Elementary Composition Parent or community membership is equal to school staff membership. Classroom teachers must be in the majority of the staff side. “Other School Personnel” includes: other administrative positions, other non-classroom teacher positions, all site classified personnel and/or community members. Smallest council is composed of 10 members.

  9. Other Elementary Council Sizes

  10. Secondary Composition Parents or community members and students equally share ½ of the council. Classroom teachers must be in the majority of the staff side. “Other School Personnel” includes: other administrative positions, other non-classroom teacher positions, and all site classified personnel. Smallest council is composed of 12 members.

  11. Other Secondary Council Sizes

  12. Other Composition Issues • “A schoolsite council at the middle school level may, but is not required to, include pupil representation.” Ed. Code 33133(c) • This permits local boards of education to choose whether a middle school follows the elementary or secondary composition requirements.

  13. How are School Site Councilmembers selected?

  14. Definitions • “The council shall be composed of the principal and representatives of: • teachers selected by teachers at the school; • other school personnel selected by other school personnel at the school; • parents of pupils attending the school selected by such parents; and • in secondary schools, pupils selected by pupils attending the school.” • Community members may serve on the SSC if they are selected by parents.

  15. Check Bylaws First Schools are encouraged to have procedures for the selection/election of members written into the SSC’s bylaws.

  16. The Principal • The law is very clear that the principal is an active member of the schoolsite council. He/she has no veto power over the council. • SSC attendance and responsibilities CANNOT be assigned to a vice principal or other designee. • In addition, the principal may not veto a decision of the council or make plan or budget changes without SSC approval.

  17. Selection/Election of TeachersTeacher Means Classroom Teacher! • Option 1:BEST BET – A Ballot • Notify teachers of the nomination process. • Allow teachers to nominate self/other teachers. • Place name(s) on a ballot. • Provide an opportunity for a “write-in” candidate. • Establish a process to assure that all teachers receive a ballot. • Utilize teachers or an election committee to count ballots. • Maintain ballots for 3 years.

  18. Selection/Election of Teachers • Option 2:Selection at a Staff Meeting • Include selection of SSC representatives on the staff meeting agenda. • Maintain minutes of the staff meeting. • Provide a sign-in sheet for classroom teachers. • Take nominations from the floor. • Conduct a voice/hand vote. • Enter into the SSC minutes: • the staff agenda, minutes of staff meeting, sign-in sheets, and the results of the vote.

  19. Definition of “Other School Personnel” • INCLUDES: • Classified personnel (e.g., clerical, instructional, custodial and food services staff). • Administrative personnel (e.g., vice principals, certificated administrative assistants). • Certificated support staff-not assigned as a classroom teacher of record (e.g., counselors, resource teachers). • Be sure to include itinerant staff (e.g., translators, nurse, psychologist).

  20. Selection/Election of “Other School Personnel” • Tends to be one of the major non-compliant findings because not all members of this group are provided an opportunity to nominate and vote! • BEST BET: BALLOT! • Establish a list of all eligible “others.” • Send notification to all “others” of the nomination process. Take nominations. • Develop a ballot. • Allow for a “write-in” candidate. • Verify that all “others” received a ballot. • Have “others” or an election committee count the ballots. • Maintain ballots for 3 years.

  21. Selection/Election of Parents • The term “parent” includes a guardian. • A “parent” CAN be an employee in the district, but CANNOT be employed at the school in any capacity (e.g., noon-duty, recreational assistant, substitute). • A community member may serve in the “parent” position as long as the person has been selected by parents of children in the school. • Goal: It is the hope of the legislature that the schoolsite council reflect the school community, including all socioeconomic, ethnic and program groups.

  22. Selecting/Electing Parents (cont’d) • Notify parents of the nomination process (e.g., bulletin, handbook, PTA bulletin). Translate if necessary. • Take nominations. Allow for self-nomination or the nomination of a peer. • BEST BET: Establish a ballot. Have each nominee write a brief position paper about their school involvement or other related experience. • Include a space for a “write-in” candidate. • Send ballot home. Can be included in newsletters, bulletins, or sent home with children. Reminder: Be sure every parent has an opportunity to vote. Best to provide a return envelope. • Have parent volunteers or an election committee (i.e., PTA or remaining SSC members) count the ballots.

  23. Selecting/Electing Students • Two ways to select/elect students: • Option 1 - BEST PRACTICE: Students can “run” for the office of “SSC member” using the same process any other elected student body office (e.g., student body president, secretary). • Option 2: The school’s student body bylaws can be modified to change the current job responsibilities of elected student body officers to include SSC responsibilities.

  24. What if a member moves or is not able to complete their term?

  25. Vacancies in SSC Positions • Vacancies can be filled by: • An election by the appropriate representative group; • An appointment by the remaining members of the peer group (only peer group members appoint); or • The seating of a previously elected alternate to fill the remainder of the term.

  26. What is the role of SchoolSite Council Members?

  27. Overall Responsibility of the SSC Serves as the school community representative body for determining the focus of the school’s academic instructional program and all related categorical resources.

  28. SSC Responsibilities • Analyzing and evaluating the academic achievement of all students in the school; • Obtaining recommendations from schoolsite advisory, standing, and special committees regarding the focus of the school’s Single Plan for Student Achievement (SPSA); • Developing and approving the SPSA and all proposed expenditures in accordance with all state and federal laws and regulations; • Recommending the SPSA including related budget expenditures to the local governing board;

  29. SSC Responsibilities • Providing ongoing monitoring of the implementation of the SPSA and budgets/expenditures; • Revising the SPSA, including expenditures, timelines, and evaluation criteria, as needed; • Participating in all local, state, and federal reviews of the school’s program for compliance and quality;

  30. SSC Responsibilities • Conducting an annual evaluation of the effectiveness of the school’s progress toward meeting the SPSA goals to raise student achievement for all students; • Encouraging broad representation of parents, community members, teachers and students, if appropriate, including all socioeconomic, ethnic, and programmatic groups represented in the school in leadership roles and in the activities of the schoolsite council; and • Carrying out all other duties assigned to the council by the district governing board and by state or federal law.

  31. A SSC is not: • A school management committee • A political organization • A grievance committee • A personnel committee • A fund-raising organization • An extension of the Parent Club • A social group

  32. Effective Schoolsite Councils... • Focus on improving student achievement for all students; • Maintain a high degree of collaboration; • Provide opportunities for shared leadership; • Demonstrate good problem solving skills; • Allow for all members and the public to freely express their opinions and points of view; • Recognize and respect the individuality and creativity each member brings to the team;

  33. Effective Schoolsite Councils... • Come prepared with their materials and good ideas; • Communicate with the larger school community about their progress; • Encourage the use of good listening skills; • Seek out information from broader school community; and • Utilize a procedural guide (e.g., Roberts’ Rules of Order ) to assure that meetings are properly managed.

  34. What is the Single Plan For Student Achievement?

  35. Why does a school have a SPSA? A single school plan is required by state law

  36. What is the purpose of the SPSA? California Department of Education has described the SPSA as: • “Game Plan” or “road map” for raising student performance • Condition of funding • Accountability for your tax dollars CDE 2007 Co-op Director’s Conference

  37. What are the requirements of the SPSA? There are 8 requirements established by the state legislature for the SPSA

  38. What are the requirements of the SPSA? • Must be developed and approved by School Site Council.

  39. What are the requirements of the SPSA? 2.Must be developed with review, certification and advice of and applicable school advisory committee.

  40. What are the requirements of the SPSA? 3.Must include all state & federal categorical programs in one plan

  41. What are the requirements of the SPSA? 4.Must be aligned with school/district goals for improving student achievement.

  42. What are the requirements of the SPSA? 5.Must be based on state data, including the Academic Performance Index (API) and California English Language Development Test (CELDT), may include district assessments.

  43. What are the requirements of the SPSA? 6.Must address how categorical funds will be used to improve the academic performance of all students.

  44. What are the requirements of the SPSA? 7.Must be reviewed and updated annually by the School Site Council.

  45. What are the requirements of the SPSA? 8. Must be reviewed and approved by district governing board when changes are made.

  46. What is in the SPSA? • School goals based on API, AYP, and CELDT results • Strategies aligned with school goals • Proposed expenditures, showing how funds are used to meet school goals • Specific content required by state and federal categorical programs • Means of evaluating effectiveness of SPSA strategies CDE 2007 Co-op Director’s Conference

  47. How is the SPSA developed? • Measure effectiveness of current improvement strategies • Seek input from school community • Develop or revise performance goals • Revise improvement strategies and expenditures • Local governing board approval • Monitor implementation CDE 2007 Co-op Director’s Conference

  48. Who is involved in the development of the SPSA? State law, establishes the following roles in developing a school plan: • SSC develops, approves, and recommends the SPSA Plan to the local board • Existing school advisory committees give input • Local board approves the SPSA (or disapproves it for stated reasons) • School & district administration supports planning and implements approved SPSA CDE 2007 Co-op Director’s Conference

  49. CE 2007 Co-op Director’s Conference

  50. How is the SPSA monitored? • It is the responsibility of the School Site Council to monitor the plan • Advisory committees may assist • State data is released annually • School should have on-going data to review

More Related