1. Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007 An Evidence-Based Approach to the Practice of Educational Leadership First Edition Ronald W. Rebore Angela L. E. Walmsley Saint Louis University This multimedia product and its contents are protected under copyright law. The following are prohibited by law: Any public performance or display, including transmission of any image over a network; Preparation of any derivative work, including the extraction, in whole or part, of any images; Any rental, lease, or lending of this program.

2. Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007 Chapter 1:Evidence-Based Leadership in School District Governance

3. Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007 Instructional Objectives To learn how to create a culture of evidence in a school district that will enhance the capacity of the governance function to meet the vision and mission of the district To provide information that can be used to engage stakeholders in discourse, which will strengthen the governance function

4. Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007 Instructional Objectives To explain how the governance function operates in public school district from an evidence-based perspective To exemplify how the evidence-based approach to decision making ensures the accountability of boards of education. To explain how the evidence-based approach can enhance school board operations

5. Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007 Instructional Objectives To demonstrate how the evidence-based approach creates positive board-staff relations To explain how the evidence-based approach facilitates the development of board of education policies

6. Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007 Introduction The system of education in the United States is designed to safeguard freedom and to guarantee the economic and social welfare of citizens. This system also transmits the culture of U.S. society to children and young people, preserving our cultural heritage.

7. Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007 Introduction While education is considered a state function, other governmental authorities include: –Congress: funds to districts for special services and programs –U.S. Office of Education: educational matters –Supreme Court: decisions affecting education

8. Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007 Introduction The state legislatures are responsible for the creation and governance of public schools and delegates authority to: –Local boards of education –State departments of education –Commissioner or state superintendent

9. Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007 Introduction While school board members are locally elected, the members represent the state, as education is a state function. The board is responsible for creating policies dealing with: –Human resources –Curriculum –Student services –Budgets –School facilities

10. Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007 Evidence-Based Decision Making in Governance Evidence-based decision making must be the basis of governance as board action usually involves policy change. Change, although potentially producing an improvement, is disruptive and can result in dissatisfaction of stakeholders.

11. Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007 Evidence-Based Decision Making in Governance The board of education should provide all those who will be affected by the change with the opportunity to voice their concerns at board meetings, town hall meetings, and focus groups. It is always advantageous for members of the school district community to participate in the data gathering process which may lead to change.

12. Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007 Evidence-Based Decision Making in Governance The board should provide all members of the school community with detailed information about the need for change, the timeline for change, aspects of what will be changes, cost of change, and who will be responsible for initiating the change. The board should initiate change when it is least disruptive to the educational process

13. Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007 Evidence-Based Decision Making in Governance Someone should be designated by the board of education to communicate with members of the school district regarding questions or concerns.

14. Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007 Evidence-Based Decision Making in Governance Exhibit 1.1: Board of Education Policy on Evidence-Based Decision Making The Board of Education recognized that fulfilling its responsibility to provide a quality education for the students of the district depends on the full and effective utilization of both quantitative and qualitative data in formulating policies and making decisions.

15. Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007 Evidence-Based Decision Making in Governance Exhibit 1.1: Board of Education Policy on Evidence-Based Decision Making cont. In order to facilitate this responsibility, the board of education mandates the ongoing collection and analysis of both qualitative and quantitative data by the administration in the following areas:

16. Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007 Evidence-Based Decision Making in Governance Exhibit 1.1: Board of Education Policy on Evidence-Based Decision Making cont....academic program development, curricular planning, student learning, student services, human resources administration, performance evaluation, faculty and staff compensation, financial planning, facilities planning, government compliance, and risk management.

17. Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007 Evidence-Based Decision Making in Governance Exhibit 1.1: Board of Education Policy on Evidence-Based Decision Making cont. As the chief executive officer of the board of education and the educational leader of the school district, the superintendent of schools is directly responsible for the collection and analysis of data. He or she must involve all members of the professional school community in fulfilling this responsibility.

18. Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007 Evidence-Based Decision Making in Governance Exhibit 1.1: Board of Education Policy on Evidence-Based Decision Making cont. The board of education expects to receive a schedule for the collection and analysis of data from the superintendent of schools by July1 of each year. Further, the superintendent of school is also expected to formulate a schedule setting forth when data and analysis will be presented to the board.

19. Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007 Evidence-Based Decision Making in Governance This policy requires the collection and analysis of data as integral administrative functions and holds the board accountable for the manner of decision making. The use of data in decision making is a quality control mechanism preventing members of the board from making decisions on personal whims.

20. Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007 Evidence-Based Decision Making as Accountability Boards of education are corporate entities and decisions can only be made in a legally constitute session. Two aspects to the decision-making process: –Logical steps to ensure the best solution has been reached –Considerations that should be addressed when problems are confronted

21. Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007 Evidence-Based Decision Making as Accountability The following framework can be useful in organizing problem resources and in the issue solving process: –Identify all aspects of the issue or problem –Identify what is known, what needs to be known, and how it can become known –Identify what quantitative and/or qualitative data is needed

22. Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007 Evidence-Based Decision Making as Accountability –Specifically identify who will have the responsibility of obtaining the data about the issue or problems –Formulate a series of potential solutions to the issue or problem –Select the most reasonable solution –Implement the decision –At a later time, evaluate the effectiveness of the decision

23. Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007 The School Board Meeting in an Evidence-Driven School District The board of education has two specific roles: –The creation of policies –The evaluation of every function of the school district The superintendent and staff are responsible for implementing these two complementary roles.

24. Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007 The School Board Meeting in an Evidence-Driven School District It is impossible for the board to create effective policies if there is not sufficient data about the district’s functions and performance. Board meetings are public meetings, with some items handled in executive sessions. The minutes are public documents.

25. Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007 The School Board Meeting in an Evidence-Driven School District Exhibit 1.2: A Board of Education Meeting Agenda Call to Order Scheduling Visitors’ Presentation Approval of the Agenda Approval of the Minutes Approval of the Warrants

26. Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007 The School Board Meeting in an Evidence-Driven School District Exhibit 1.2: A Board of Education Meeting Agenda cont. Unfinished Business New Business Superintendent’s Report Adjournment

27. Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007 School Board Operations in an Evidence-Driven School District Specific parliamentary procedures must be adopted or adapted to the needs of the board. These procedures should handle issues efficiently and facilitate business without confusing members. In these procedures lies the structure of debate and decision to allow for opposing viewpoints in the meeting.

28. Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007 School Board Operations in an Evidence-Driven School District The delineation of duties is necessary for accountability in evidence-based operations. Exhibit 1.3: Officers of the Board of Education –President or Chairperson –Treasurer –Secretary

29. Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007 School Board Operations in an Evidence-Driven School District Boards commonly hire consultants, falling in two broad categories: –Providing ongoing services –Providing occasional services when a specific problem occurs Every school district needs an attorney and a C.P.A., employed on a continual basis.

30. Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007 School Board Operations in an Evidence-Driven School District The following procedure should be used to hire other professionals: The superintendent advertises that portfolios are being accepted. The superintendent compares credentials and experience. The superintendent contacts references.

31. Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007 School Board Operations in an Evidence-Driven School District The superintendent compares fee structures. The superintendent presents a summary and recommendation to the board. The board of education contracts for the service.

32. Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007 School Board Operations in an Evidence-Driven School District Community advisory committees can save administration time and money and maintain good public relations. Successful use lies in the following principles: – Make the charge to the committee specific and establish guidelines the committee can use to formulate the desired report –The committee should work in cooperation with the superintendent

33. Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007 School Board Operations in an Evidence-Driven School District Boards of education demand accountability from teachers, administrators, and staff. Developing a performance-evaluation procedure helps a board assess failures, success, and examine ethical standards ensuring accountability.

34. Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007 School Board Operations in an Evidence-Driven School District To develop a performance-evaluation procedure, the board should do the following: –Establish goals and objectives for itself –Select an assessment technique and instrument –Carefully review the evidence generated by the assessment technique –Formulate new goals for the next year

35. Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007 The Effect of Evidence-Based Governance on Board-Staff Relations As elected public officials, board members will find themselves faced with political pressures. Employees will personally contact the members concerning policy and problems within the district.

36. Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007 The Effect of Evidence-Based Governance on Board-Staff Relations It is important to develop a clear understanding of roles and responsibilities of the board and superintendent in staff relations. The evidence-based decision-making model requires a consistent response to staff-board relations, referring the staff member to his or her immediate supervisor.

37. Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007 Evidence-Based Governance and School Board-Policy Development In formulating and adopting policy statements, the board must consider the following factors: –The Federal Constitution, federal laws, and federal court decisions –Local traditions and opinions on educational goals –State departments of education regulations –State constitutions, laws, and court decisions

38. Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007 Evidence-Based Governance and School Board-Policy Development Policies constitute the evidence that is endemic to all governance and administrative decisions. Policies are a guarantee that the board and administration will be consistent in making decisions. Policies provide staff with the philosophy and mission of the district.

39. Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007 Evidence-Based Governance and School Board-Policy Development Policies should not be confused with administrative rules and regulations, which apply policy to practice. Policies should be written in broad terms and should be brief, concise, and written to deal with situations occurring frequently. Policies constitute the evidential authority that supports programs and activities.

40. Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007 Evidence-Based Governance and School Board-Policy Development Policies should be incorporated into a manual which is updated regularly. Exhibit 1.4: Steps in Developing a School Board Manual –Identify and code all existing policy decisions –Separate board policies from administrative rules, regulations, and procedures –Identify and eliminate board policies that are obsolete or contrary to law –Identify and update contradicting or ambigous policies

41. Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007 Evidence-Based Governance and School Board-Policy Development A board may use the following formats to formulate policy: –Resolution style –Setting forth rationale and establishing broad goals –Identifying who is responsible for implementing the policy –Incorporating administrative rules and regulations

42. Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007 Discussion Questions and Statements 1.Explain the role of the various states in relation to education and contrast this role with the role of the federal government. 2.Utilizing an evidence-based approach, how can a board of education minimize unwanted reactions to change because of the creation or modification of policy? 3.What are the essential elements that should be included in a board of education policy on evidence- based decision making? 4.Utilizing an evidence-based approach, identify the steps in a process for solving problems and addressing issues?

43. Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007 Discussion Questions and Statements 5. What are two traditional roles of the board of education in school district governance? 6. In an evidence-based governance model, describe the elements of an agenda that should be followed at a board of education meeting. 7. Describe the roles of the various officers of a board of education. 8. What is the process that should be followed by a board of education utilizing an evidence-based approach in order to secure professional services?

44. Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007 Discussion Questions and Statements 9. Outline the performance-based evaluation process that a board of education should establish for itself. 10. What effect does an evidence-based approach to school district governance have on board-staff relations? 11. In an evidence-based approach to school district governance, why is it necessary to have a school district policy manual?