School Community Councils A New Framework for Achievement and Public Engagement Craig Melvin 106-2242 Cornwall Street Regina, Saskatchewan S4P 2K9 306

School Community Councils

A New Framework for Achievement and Public Engagement

Craig Melvin106-2242 Cornwall Street

Regina, SaskatchewanS4P 2K9

306 789-5184306 529-3742

[email protected]

The Changing Landscape of Rural Education

Eleventh National Congress on Rural Education

March 26 - 28, 2006



March 26 - 28, 2006

To provide:

Understanding of the background and framework

Knowledge of the purpose, role and responsibilities

Awareness of the implementation timetable and

related initiatives

Purpose



March 26 - 28, 2006

Craig Melvin, ChairShirley GangeGary Shaddock

Purpose

To recommend a framework for local accountabilityand community involvement in schools .

Framework criteria:1. Common and province-wide yet flexible.2. Focus on enhancing learning outcomes and

supporting the learning program and supports for learning.

3. Ensure Board of Education accountability.

Local Accountability

and Partnerships

Panel



March 26 - 28, 2006

Local Accountability and Partnerships PanelFinal Report Submitted to The Minister of LearningMay 2005

Policy Directions for School Community CouncilsProvincial Response to the Local Accountability and PartnershipsPanel Final ReportNovember 2005

http://www.sasked.gov.sk.ca/branches/comm/minister/speeches/LAPP.shtml

Local Accountability

and Partnerships

Panel



March 26 - 28, 2006

The School Community Council is an integral,purposeful and valued component of schooldivision governance.• Created through an election process.• Integrated into Board of Education and school-

level decision making processes.• Work jointly and cooperatively with the community

and school staff.• Guided by common standards included in

legislation. Boards of Education address flexibility through governing policy and operating procedure.

Vision



March 26 - 28, 2006

Vision The School Community Council is inclusive of thecommunity and representative of the students in theschool.• Membership includes elected Representative

Parent and Community Members, student and First Nations representatives, and Permanent Members including the Principal or delegate(s), a teacher and appointed advisory representatives to support implementation of SchoolPLUS.

• Parents representative of the student body.• Nomination and election at Annual Meeting.• Representative Member staggered two-year terms

with annual elections.• Involvement is voluntary.



March 26 - 28, 2006

Vision The School Community Council roles are clear andwell understood.• The purpose of School Community Councils is “to

develop shared responsibility for the learning success and well-being for all children and youth and encourage and facilitate parent and community engagement”.

• Understands community; Advises the school, Board and others; Develops and Recommends the Learning Improvement Plan; Approves fees, fundraising and student code of conduct; Takes Action on its initiatives, Reports to community; and, Develops its Capacity.

• Develops and submits for approval a Constitution to the Board.



March 26 - 28, 2006

Vision The School Community Councils’ responsibilitiesaddress key matters that make a difference instudent learning and well-being.• Focuses its attention on the areas of the Learning

Improvement Plan where the parent/community perspective and efforts are most appropriate and needed.

• Monitors its activities to support continuous improvement in the areas of student learning and well-being.



March 26 - 28, 2006

Vision The School Community Council aligns its work withProvincial Continuous Improvement Framework andSchool Division Continuous Improvement Plan. • Work aligns with the provincial overarching

accountability framework and focuses on related division goals and initiatives.

• Work aligns with provincial and division learning and well-being outcomes for students.



March 26 - 28, 2006

Vision The School Community Council is accountable,transparent and responsive in its relationship withparents and the school community.• Actively engages parents and community members

in matters of concern related to public education.• Reflects the nature of community in which it is

situated by collecting and sharing appropriate information with others.

• Regularly reports on its activities to parents, the school, and the community.



March 26 - 28, 2006

Key Understandings

Parent and community engagement is valued One common entity at each school Focus on what matters in student learning and

well-being Boards of Education are responsible and

accountable for success



March 26 - 28, 2006

Questions and Discussion

What do you like about the vision for School Community Councils?

What concerns or questions do you have about the vision for School Community Councils?



March 26 - 28, 2006

Digging Deeper Role of School Community Councils

Guiding Principles

Constitutions

Learning Improvement Plan

Road Ahead



March 26 - 28, 2006

Role

Understand

Understand parent, student and public economic,social and health conditions and needs and theiraspirations for child and youth learning and well-beingand to become knowledgeable about resources andsupports for the school, parents and community.



March 26 - 28, 2006

Role

UnderstandDevelop and Recommend

Develop and recommend a Learning Improvement Plan, jointly and in cooperation with the Principal and staff of the school, for approval to the Board of Education.



March 26 - 28, 2006

Role

UnderstandDevelop and RecommendAdvise and Approve

Provide advice and represent the parents andcommunity to:• the Board of Education on policies, programs and

educational service delivery decisions, including grade discontinuance, school closure, religious observances and language of instruction;

• the school on its programs and operations;• other organizations, agencies and governments on

the learning and well-being needs of children and youth; and,

Approve fundraising activities, school fees and theStudent Code of Conduct.



March 26 - 28, 2006

Role

UnderstandDevelop and RecommendAdvise and ApproveTake Action

Take action to engage parents and community, to develop shared responsibility for child and youth learning and well-being, and to fulfil initiatives assigned it within the Learning Improvement Plan.



March 26 - 28, 2006

Role

UnderstandDevelop and RecommendAdvise and ApproveTake ActionReport

Report annually to the parents and community on its plans, initiatives and outcomes and on the expenditure of funds related to the operation of the School Community Council.



March 26 - 28, 2006

Role

UnderstandDevelop and RecommendAdvise and ApproveTake ActionReportDevelop Capacity

Participate in opportunities to develop the capacity of the School Community Council to fulfil these responsibilities.



March 26 - 28, 2006

Guiding Principles

Representative Inclusive Respectful Trustworthy Responsive Effective Committed



March 26 - 28, 2006

School Community

Council Constitution

School Community Council Constitutions address:

Vision Guiding Principles Structure and Officers Schedule of Meetings Means of Public Consultation and Communication Code of Conduct Decision-Making Processes Complaints and Concerns Procedures Evaluating Council Operations



March 26 - 28, 2006

Learning Improvement

Plan Development

1. Reviewing the School Community Profile2. Establishing Beliefs and Creating a Vision3. Reassessing Needs Based on the Vision4. Developing Objectives5. Creating an Action Plan6. Identifying Program Supports7. Recommending the Plan to the Board for Approval8. Monitoring/Evaluating and Communicating Accomplishments to the School Community



March 26 - 28, 2006

Road Ahead 2005-06 School Year Legislative framework established School Division policy and procedure developed

2006-07 School Year Election and orientation of all School Community

Councils

2007-08 School Year Council Constitutions developed Learning Improvement Plan developed

2009-10 School Year Provincial evaluation of progress



March 26 - 28, 2006

Discussion As we look ahead to establishing School CommunityCouncils:

What are we now doing to engage parents and community in support of student learning and well-being that we would want to continue?

How might we take advantage of School Community Councils to enhance parent and community engagement in support of student learning and well-being?



March 26 - 28, 2006

Thank you for your interest

and participation!

Craig Melvin

106-2242 Cornwall StreetRegina,Sask.S4P 2K9

306 789-5184306 [email protected]

Final questions and observations…

Adjourn

Documents

School Community Councils A New Framework for Achievement and Public Engagement Craig Melvin 106-2242 Cornwall Street Regina, Saskatchewan S4P 2K9 306