School Organization and Funding

Purpose of Schools?  Depends on philosophy Essentialist: Acquire basic skills & knowledge needed to function in today’s world Perennialist: Train the intellect & moral development Progressivist: Acquire ability to function in real world & develop problem-solving skills Postmodernist: Critically examine today’s institutions & elevate the status of marginalized people Existentialist: Discover one’s self and purpose, including talents and interests

Organization of Schools  Junior high or middle school Created to meet the unique needs of adolescents Middle School (created in 1950)  Organizes teachers and students into interdisciplinary needs.  Attempts to create and maintain long term teacher-student relationships with attention to emotional development  Interactive teaching strategies  Eliminates activities that emphasize developmental differences, such as competitive sports

Organization of Schools, cont’d.  High School Comprehensive model  Offer diverse academic courses and facilities for students Critiques  Tracking  Size  Departmentalization  Academic rigor

Alternative School Structures  Career technical schools Focus on developing job skills  Magnet schools Specialized purpose/no geographic boundaries  Charter schools Schools that are formed by special agreements and focus on meeting the needs of a community  School within a school Larger schools are broken down into smaller schools internally  Year round school School calendar is arranged to avoid 3month breaks in students’ educations  Alternative school days School day is arranged in a non-traditional time period  3 year/5 year high schools High school plans differ from the traditional 4 year plan

Effective Schools  Optimal school and class size  Clear school mission and strong leadership  Safe and orderly environment  High parental involvement  Academic focus  High collective efficacy  Interactive instruction  Frequent monitoring of student progress

State Constitution State CourtsGovernorState Legislature State Board of Education Chief State School Officer Regional Offices of Education Local School Districts District School Board District Superintendent District Office Principals & Schools

Structure in Illinois (state level)  Legislation – Illinois State Code  State Board of Education  State Superintendent  Regional Office of Education

Common District Structure  School Board Elected Represent local control  District Office Superintendent  School Administration Principal, Assistant Principals, Deans, etc.  School Faculty Teachers Other certified staff (speech pathologists, guidance counselors, etc.)  School Staff Custodians Administrative assistants

School Choice  Vouchers  Tax Credits  Open Districts

School Equity  Factors involved Funding Facilities Faculty Other  Measurement?