Overview
What is School Based Decision Making
School based decision making is a process/tool used by groups and includes all of these elements:
- commonly held, student-centered vision.
- climate of trust.
- respect for diverse ideas and interests.
- An open dialogue and debate.
- A shared leadership, accountability, authority and responsibility.
- An actively involved, broad-based representation of employees, parents, students and the community.
What is the purpose?
The goal of school based decision making is to ensure there is the staff, parent and community involvement needed to accomplish the district mission through its Strategic Plan. The mission is “To provide a quality education that prepares all children for a successful future.” All Jeffco schools are evaluating how they use the school based decision-making process to ensure they are achieving accreditation expectations.
What kinds of decisions are made through this process?
In the life of a school, hundreds of decisions are made each day. Some decisions, such as emergencies, must be made immediately by the principal. Other decisions may involve only the staff. An example might be how to use staff development days. Still other decisions involve staff and parents working in a collaborative group.
Decisions that may involve parents in the school based decision-making process fall into a number of categories including, but not limited to, the following examples:
- Instructional: Learning resources; student awards & recognition; enrichment activities.
- Resources: Budget development and evaluation; grant writing; employee recognition; recruiting, selecting, recognizing and using volunteers and community resources.
- Governance and management: Discipline plan; attendance policy; community relations and communications; special events; scheduling; school-based fees; school safety issues.
What types of decisions are not made through this process?
The district is bound by employee contracts, Board of Education policies, and federal, state and local laws. These factors place restrictions on the decision-making authority of staff and parent groups. Some examples include hiring and firing of employees, employee evaluations and student discipline.
How can I get involved in school based decision making at my school?
- Talk to your principal or parent group leaders to learn what groups (accountability, school improvement committee, etc.) are using a school based decision making process.
- Attend a meeting and determine whether the group interests you.
- Find out how to become a member of the group and talk to the principal or chair about joining.
Do I have to be elected to participate in the process?
Use of the school based decision making process varies from school to school, and committees that use this process have a variety of names, rules and/or bylaws. What is important is that the committee follows the decision making standards in the way it operates.
Some schools use school based decision making in a committee that has written bylaws that outline how voting members are selected. Other schools have appointed members. Check with your principal and/or parent leaders to learn how the process works in your school. Coordinating Committee
The Coordinating Committee is composed of representatives of the community, Jeffco PTA , Accountability, district Cabinet, and the employee associations - Classified School Employees Association, Jefferson County Administrators Association and Jefferson County Education Association.
Process Review Procedure
Per the negotiated agreement between Jefferson County Education Association and the district, the Coordinating Committee hears appeals. The agreement states, "When presented with an appeal, the Coordinating Committee, using the standards set for all schools/sites, will determine if the appeal is a school based decision making issue. It is not the purpose of the coordinating committee to review site decisions, but to assist in assuring a school based process has taken place. The Coordinating Committee members may be expected to gather appropriate data prior to convening meetings. Coordinating Committee meetings will be convened to review appeals, to collect information from all parties and to respond with suggestions for process improvement." A process review form is accessible at http://jeffcoweb.jeffco.k12.co.us/cdm
School based Decision Making is governed by 10 standards of operation:
- The participants are broadly representative of the school community.
- The process operates with written rules that are widely understood.
- The roles of the various decision-making groups are understood within the CDM process.
- The CDM process has a shared vision that focuses on improvement of student learning.
- The CDM process determines what decisions are made and how they are made.
- Meetings are open and at convenient times.
- The CDM process is communicated internally and externally.
- The process is evaluated to determine its effectiveness.
- Training is provided for all participants.
- Assistance is utilized when needed.
Resources
- A training video for school based decision making is available through Communications Services, 303-982-6808.
- The school based decision making web site is http://jeffcoweb.jeffco.k12.co.us/cdm.
Our Mission
To provide a quality education that prepares all children for a successful future.
Jeffco Public Schools Strategic Plan Objective 6
Ensure staff, community and parent/family involvement focuses on increased student achievement.
2006-2007 Strategic Plan Indicators
- 6.1 School community members report that schools provide a welcoming environment for all members of the community.
- 6.2 Effectively engage all members of the school community in decision making in their schools across the district.
- 6.3 Effectively engage all parents in opportunities to support students with academic achievement.
- 6.4 Cultivate high quality partnerships that support learning for all students.
2006-2007 Measurable Targets
- 100 percent of schools will continue to annually evaluate, review, and communicate their decision making process to assure that it is welcoming, inclusive, and aligns with the decision making standards, state law, and district policy.
- 100% of schools will inform parents twice a year of how to access the school decision making processes.
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