DECISION MAKING
PARTICIPATION AND LEADERSHIP
- PTA/PTO membership, participation, leadership, representation
- Advisory councils, school improvement teams
- Title I councils, school-site management teams, other committees
- Independent school advisory groups
SAMPLE PRACTICES
- Active PTA/PTO or other parent organizations, advisory councils, or committees (e.g., curriculum, safety, personnel) for parent leadership and participation
- Action Team for School, Family, and Community Partnerships to oversee the development of the school's program with practices for all six types of involvement
- District-level advisory councils and committees
- Information on school or local elections for school representatives
- Networks to link all families with parent representatives
- Independent advocacy groups to lobby for school reform and improvements
CHALLENGES
- Include parent leaders from all racial, ethnic, socioeconomic, and other groups in the school
- Offer training for parent leaders to develop leadership skills
- Include student representatives along with parents in decision making
REDEFINITIONS
- “Decision making” means a process of partnership to share views and take action toward shared goals for school improvement and student success, not a power struggle.
RESULTS FOR STUDENTS
- Awareness that families' views are represented in school decisions
- Specific benefits linked to policies enacted by parent organizations
RESULTS FOR PARENTS
- Awareness of and input to policies that affect children's education
- Shared experiences and connections with other families
RESULTS FOR TEACHERS AND SCHOOLS
- Awareness of families' perspectives in policies and school decisions
- Acceptance of equality of family representatives on school committees
Type
5—Decision Making practices implemented by our members
© Copyright 1996-2006 The Center on School, Family, and Community Partnerships at Johns Hopkins
University
