Transcript Facts About the Educational Finance System

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
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This Workshop Will Answer:
• 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?
2
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.
3
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
4
Why do schools have School Site Councils?
All with the common goal:
Success of All Students
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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
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Who is on the School
Site Council?
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Elementary Composition
•
Elementary SSC
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 nonclassroom teacher positions,
all site classified personnel
and/or community members.
•
Smallest council is composed
of 10 members.
Principal
(1)
Parent or
Community
Member
(5)
Classroom
Teachers (3)
Other Site
Personnel
(1)
Principal (1)
Classroom Teachers (3)
Other (1)
Parent or Community Member
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Other Elementary
Council Sizes
COUNCIL
SIZE
PARENTS
PRINCIPAL
OTHER
STAFF
CLASSROOM
TEACHERS
10
12
14
14
16
16
5
6
7
7
8
8
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
2
2
1
3
4
5
4
5
6
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Secondary Composition
Secondary SSC
•
•
•
•
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.
Principal
(1)
Students (3)
Parent or
Community
Member
(3)
Other Site
Personnel
(1)
Classroom
Teachers (4)
Principal (1)
Classroom Teachers (4)
Other (1)
Parent or Community Member (3)
Students (3)
Smallest council is composed of
12 members.
10
Other Secondary
Council Sizes
COUNCIL PARENTS STUDENTS
SIZE
PRINCIPAL OTHER CLASSROOM
STAFF
TEACHERS
12
3
3
1
1
4
12
3
3
1
2
3
16
4
4
1
2
5
16
4
4
1
1
6
20
5
5
1
2
7
20
5
5
1
1
8
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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.
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How are School Site Council
members selected?
13
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.
14
Check Bylaws First
Schools are encouraged to
have procedures for the
selection/election of
members written into the
SSC’s bylaws.
15
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.
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Selection/Election of Teachers
Teacher 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.
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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.
18
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).
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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.
20
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.
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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.
22
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.
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What if a member moves
or is not able to complete
their term?
24
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.
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What is the role of School
Site Council Members?
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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.
27
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;
28
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;
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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.
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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
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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;
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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.
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What is the Single Plan For
Student Achievement?
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Why does a school have a
SPSA?
A single school plan
is
required
by
state law
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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
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What are the requirements
of the SPSA?
There are 8 requirements
established by the state legislature
for the SPSA
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What are the requirements
of the SPSA?
1. Must be developed and approved
by School Site Council.
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What are the requirements
of the SPSA?
2.
Must be developed with review,
certification and advice of and
applicable school advisory
committee.
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What are the requirements
of the SPSA?
3.
Must include all state & federal
categorical programs in one plan
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What are the requirements
of the SPSA?
4.
Must be aligned with
school/district goals for improving
student achievement.
41
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.
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What are the requirements
of the SPSA?
6.
Must address how categorical
funds will be used to improve the
academic performance of all
students.
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What are the requirements
of the SPSA?
7.
Must be reviewed and updated
annually by the School Site
Council.
44
What are the requirements
of the SPSA?
8.
Must be reviewed and approved by
district governing board when
changes are made.
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What is in the SPSA?
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
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
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How is the SPSA
developed?
1. Measure effectiveness of current
improvement strategies
2. Seek input from school community
3. Develop or revise performance goals
4. Revise improvement strategies and
expenditures
5. Local governing board approval
6. Monitor implementation
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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
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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
50
How is the SPSA
revised?
• It is the responsibility of the School
Site Council.
• Advisory committees may assist
• Districts may have established a
revision process
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Questions to ask when
revising the SPSA?
• Are the school goals based on tested
student performance?
• Is the plan an educationally sound
means of reaching school goals?
• Was the plan implemented in a timely
and effective manner?
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In Closing….
“Alone we can do so little;
together we can do so much.”
Helen Keller
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Resources
• Stanislaus County Office of
Education
– Mary Stires,
Director of School Support
[email protected]
209-238-1313
• California Department of Education
– http://www.cde.ca.gov/nclb/sr/le/singleplan.asp
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