School Site Councils

1. School Site Councils Focus on School Improvement and Student Achievement 1

2. The Subjects of this Workshop are: • Overview of the Roles/Responsibilities of the SSC • Historical Perspective—A Theme of Collaboration • Orientation/Elections • Council Composition (definitions) • Duties of Officers/members • Tools for a Successful SSC • Areas Outside the Scope of the SSC • Conducting the Meeting • Linking Student Achievement and Expenditures • Actions Required of the SSC • Show Me the Money

3. Overview of the Roles/Responsibilities of the SSC Develop a comprehensive Single Plan for Student Achievement Ensure that the school is continually engaged in identifying and implementing curriculum and instructional practices Develop a budget aligned to consolidated application funds and other categorical funds requiring decisions from the School Site Council 3

4. Overview of the Roles/Responsibilities of the SSC • Recommend Single Plan for Student Achievement to local School Board • Recommend plan for targeting use of other categorical or supplemental funds to local School Board • Continuous planning, monitoring, and review of effectiveness • Annual review and revision of plan 4

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6. Overview of the Roles/Responsibilities of the SSC The SPSA must be developed with the advice, review and certification of any applicable school advisory committees: English Learner Advisory Committee State Compensatory Education Advisory Committee Special Education Advisory Committee Gifted and Talented Education Advisory Committee All required advisory committees have a responsibility to advise the school on the special needs of students and on ways the school may meet those needs 6

7. Overview of the Roles/Responsibilities of the SSC • Review district policies • Develop training program for SSC members • Review meeting and operating procedures • Develop annual meeting calendar • Review bylaws annually 7

8. Roles and Responsibilities of the SSC Legislative role—SSC writes plan/budget Executive role—principal/school staff implement school plan Judicial role—local governing board makes and interprets policy and approves plan Advisory committees—advise the SSC 8

9. Roles and Responsibilities of the SSC Function The SSC is not to be viewed as an advisory body whose advice may be accepted or rejected Instead, the actions of the SSC constitute the first step in a formal process for developing improvement strategies and for allocating resources to support these efforts 9

10. Federal and State Improvement Efforts What’s Driving Improved Student Academic Achievement? • Federal • Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) in Elementary Secondary Education Act (ESEA)/No Child Left Behind (NCLB) State • Public School Accountability Act (PSAA) • Assessment, Standards, Rewards and Sanctions • Intermediate Intervention/Underperforming School Program (II/USP) • High Priority School Grant Program (HPSGP) • Quality Education Investment Act (QEIA) 10

11. Historical Perspective—A Theme of Collaboration 11

12. School Site Councils—After 2001 Consolidated Application School Site Council Single Plan for Student Achievement (SPSA) Revise SPSA for ESEA/NCLB Program Improvement Approve Plan for High Priority Schools Grant Program School and Library Improvement Program EIA-English Learners Program EIA-Compensatory Education Quality Education Investment Act (QEIA) Revise SPSA for QEIA SB 1133 Revise SPSA for SAIT Title I Title III 12

13. Managing Complex Change Change Vision Skills Incentives Resources Action Plan Confusion Skills Incentives Resources Action Plan Anxiety Vision Incentives Resources Action Plan Action Plan Gradual Change Vision Skills Resources Frustration Vision Skills Incentives Action Plan Vision Skills Incentives Resources False Start 13

14. Orientation/Elections 14

15. Selection/Election of Teachers 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 5 years Source: California Institute for School Improvement (CISI) 15

16. The Principal The law is very clear that the principal is an active, voting member of the council SSC attendance and responsibilities CANNOTbe assigned to a vice principal or other designee He/she has no administrative authority over the council* In addition, the principal may not veto a decision of the council or make plan or budget changes without SSC approval Source: California Institute for School Improvement (CISI) *Source other than CISI 16

17. 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) Itinerant staff (e.g., translators, nurse, psychologist) Source: California Institute for School Improvement (CISI) 17

18. Election of Parents School Site Council should reflect the school community, including all socio-economic, ethnic and program groups. Source: California Institute for School Improvement (CISI) 18

19. Selection/Election of Parents The term “parent” includes a guardian A “parent” CAN be an employee in the district, but CANNOTbe 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 School Site Council reflect the school community, including all socioeconomic, ethnic, racial groups Make attempts to assure that parents of students participating in various programs are included* Source: California Institute for School Improvement (CISI) *Source other than CISI 19

20. Sample Election Process Each “group” utilizes an election committee Notify group of election process Allow group to nominate self/others Place name on ballot Provide opportunity for “write-in” candidate Establish process to assure that everyone in that “group” receives a ballot Election Committee counts the ballots Maintain ballots for 5 years 20

21. CouncilCompositionSEE BULLETIN 4148: Advisory committees and School Site Councils 21

22. Composition of the SSCElementary Any school which has two or more grades in the K-6 grade span: 10 member minimum One half staff and one half parents/community members Staff includes: principal, majority of classroom teachers, other staff 22

23. Principal (1) Parents/ Community (5) Teachers (3) Other (1) Elementary Configuration 23

24. Other Elementary School Site Council Sizes Source: California Institute for School Improvement (CISI) 24

25. Composition of the SSCSecondary Any school which has two or more grades in the 7-12 grade span: 12 member minimum, if all categories are to be represented One half staff and one half parents/community and students elected by their peers Staff includes: principal, majority of classroom teachers, other staff 25

26. Secondary Configuration Principal (1) 1/2 Parents/ Community (3) Teachers (4) 1/2 Students (3) Other (1) 26

27. Other Secondary School Site Council Sizes Source: California Institute for School Improvement (CISI) 27

28. Middle Schools “A School Site Council at the middle school level may, but is not required to, include pupil representation.” [EC, Section 33133(c)] This permits local Boards of Education to choose whether a middle school follows the elementary or secondary composition requirements Source: California Institute for School Improvement (CISI) 28

29. School Site Council Composition Exceptions: SPAN • Span schools will form their councils based on the District’s classification of their school (elementary, middle, or high school). Special Education Centers • Special education schools and centers with secondary students may use the same composition as elementary schools, or they may choose to follow the same composition as comprehensive high schools. Middle Schools • Middle schools may, but are not required to, include student representatives. (Education Code Section 33133-c) 29

30. School Site Council Composition Exceptions (continued) Continuation Schools In continuation schools, the membership of the SSC shall be no fewer then eight members and shall be constituted to ensure parity. Half the membership shall be (a) the principal, two teachers, and one other school personnel (staff side): and half shall be (b) two parents or community members elected by parents and two students representatives elected by the entire student body. 30

31. Parent/Community Eligibility • Parent is defined as the parent or guardian of a student at a school, unless that parent is a paid employee of the school district at that site • Community is defined as any person having an interest in the local school process and is elected by parents to take one of their slots 31

32. School Site Council Composition Other staff may include: • Assistant Principals • School Nurse • Counselors • Clerical Staff • Paraprofessionals • Custodial Staff • Food Service Staff • *Resource Teachers • Coordinators • *Instructional Coaches • *Library Media Teachers • Community Representatives • *Non-classroom teachers refers to those full-time employees whose classroom teaching assignment, if any, is fewer than three (3) periods per day in secondary, or less than half-time in elementary. 32

33. The School Principal • Is a voting member of the council. • Provides information and leadership. • Is responsible for staff and student elections of the SSC. • Is responsible for the proper functioning and implementation of the SSC. • Is responsible for any program and/or fiscal implications due to non-compliance with federal/state policies, rules, and regulations. • Directs staff to implement the approved Student Plan for Student Achievement (SPSA) and monitors in conjunction with SSC. Note: The principal may not delegate any of these responsibilities. (Refer to LAUSD Bulletin 4148) 33

34. Duties of Officers/Members 34

35. Duties of Officers/Members The council shall elect officers, including: Chairperson to organize, convene, and lead meetings of the council Vice-Chairperson to serve in the absence of the chairperson *Secretary to record events and actions taken at council meetings Parliamentarian to resolve questions of procedure, often with the help of “Robert’s Rules of Order” or similar guide Other officers as needed to perform stated duties in support of the work of the council * The principal may assign someone to take notes (in their absence); however that person may not vote or participate in the discussions unless it is to make a comment on an agenda item just as any other member of the public. 35

36. Roles and Responsibilities of SSC Members • Regularly attend SSC meetings • Become knowledgeable of state and local educational issues related to assessment, curriculum and instruction • Communicate SSC business internally and externally • May appoint committees to perform tasks to assist the council in developing, monitoring, or evaluating the SPSA 36

37. Roles and Responsibilities of SSC Members (cont.) • Review district policies • Develop training program for SSC members • Review meeting and operating procedures • Develop annual meeting calendar • Review bylaws annually 37

38. Tools for a Successful SSC • Member roster and phone numbers/email addresses • Copy of School Site Plan • Copy of most recent Categorical Program Monitoring (CPM) or Western Association of Schools and Colleges(WASC) • Copy of School Site Council budget • List of all revenue sources and expenditures • Student achievement data (STAR, API scores, Reading and Math benchmark assessment result, CELDT result, attendance rates, suspension rates, etc.). 38

39. Tools for a Successful SSC • Knowledge of the implementation of the various components of the SPSA. • Information regarding the effectiveness of the strategies contained within the SPSA and an understanding of the SSC’s ability to make modifications as needed. • Local board policies. • State and federal requirements. • The core instructional program. • The SPSA Budget including proposed expenditures. 39

40. Tools for a Successful SSC Access to state content/performance standards, state frameworks, CDE publications: It’s Elementary; Taking Center Stage; Aiming High Student achievement data District assessments State assessments API and AYP results Attendance Grades 40

41. Areas Outside the Scope of School Site Councils A school management committee A policy-making body A political organization A personnel committee A grievance committee A fund-raising organization An extension of the PTSA A social group 41

42. Conducting the School Site Council Meeting 42

43. MeetingRequirements Be open to the public Allow the public to address the council on any matter within the jurisdiction of the council Post a meeting notice 72 hours in advance, specifying date, time and location, and agenda describing each item of business Make any meeting materials available to the public upon request 43

44. Conducting the Meeting Create a sign-in sheet for all who attend. The sign-in sheet should designate the various constituencies (admin, teacher, classified, parent/community) Provide copies of agenda and all materials to SSC members and the public 44 Source: California Institute for School Improvement (CISI)

45. Conducting the Meeting • Notify alternates for members that they may not vote and are not counted toward a quorum, unless the voting member is no longer able to serve on the SSC • Follow the posted agenda 45

46. Conducting the Meeting Use an agreed upon procedure (e.g., Roberts’ Rules of Order-10th edition) for conducting business Provide opportunities for discussion of items on agenda Maintain minutes, agendas and sign-ins of the meeting for 5 years Source: California Institute for School Improvement (CISI) 46

47. Conducting the Meeting(Greene Act) The council cannot act on any item that was not included on the posted agenda Exception: If an action is needed and was not known at the time the agenda was posted, the SSC may, by unanimous vote, add the item on the agenda for action Questions and brief statements for clarification may be made as long as there is no impact on students or staff If these procedures are violated, upon demand of any person, the council must reconsider the item at it’s next meeting after allowing for public comment on the item Source: California Institute for School Improvement (CISI) 47

48. Bylaws Are not required by law; however, are recommended for all committees and councils per Bulletin 4148. Can serve as a guide for the council’s actions Should be reviewed annually by a Bylaws subcommittee acting on behalf of the SSC The Bylaws subcommittee should bring the recommended changes to the SSC Source: California Institute for School Improvement (CISI) 48

49. Content of Bylaws Name of Organization: Role of the Council: Purpose & roles of council (job description) Members: Size of council, procedures, for election of members, terms of office, filling vacancies, termination & transfer of membership. Officers: Methods for officer nomination, voting, election, filling officer vacancies, terms of office and duties 49

50. Content of Bylaws (cont’d) Committees—Description of standing or special committee Meetings—Description of date, time & place of meetings Conduct of the Meeting/Parliamentary Authority—Describes the procedures for conducting the meeting Amendment of Bylaws—Describe the procedures for amending the bylaws 50