education policy in pennsylvania governance & leadership
TRANSCRIPT
Outline
Task Obsolete school code School Board
– Demographics– Term Length
School Board professional development Creating consensus Conclusions
Task
Identify issues concerning governance and leadership in Pennsylvania education policy that require state action.
Focus Legislative accountability for student
achievement
Pennsylvania School Code
Findings– Written in 1949,
• Many Amendments• No comprehensive update since
– Contradictory and outdated sections– Language confusing on duties of board
Assessment– School Code is obsolete and lacks vision
Pennsylvania School Code
Examples of obsolescence in school board responsibilities– 24 PS 7-740 Water-closets or out-houses – 24 PS 11-1146 Part-time teachers, etc. – 24 PS 15-1516 Bible reading– 24 PS 15-1543 William Penn Day
School Board Background Originally active in day-to-day operations, now focus on
policy Federal and state legislation has moved control away from
local boards– Curriculum– Student achievement standards– Personnel
Superintendents and staff now handle day-to-day issues State holds school administrators responsible for teacher
quality and student achievement Local boards now have little accountability for student
achievement to meet mandated standards Local community holds board responsible for preparing
graduates to enter workforce
School Board Accountability Complicated Requires strengthening credibility and
relevance with the community by establishing:– Policy connected to achievement– Budget connected to achievement– Vision– Close relationship with school administration– Culture of ethical school governance– Requirement for Board member development
School Board Selection and Qualifications - Issues
School board election cycles School board director
development
3 – 3 – 3 Election Cycle
Cycle1
Cycle 2
Cycle 3
3 Directors – 6 year term
3 Directors – 6 year term
3 Directors – 6 year term
5-4 Election Cycle
Cycle 1
Cycle 2
Cycle 1
Cycle 2
4 Directors – 4 year term
5 Directors – 4 year term
4 Directors – 4 year term
5 Directors – 4 year term
Election Cycles in PA
Until early 1980s, Boards in PA elected on 3-3-3 cycle with 6 year terms
Given reason for change to a 5 –4 cycle– Difficult to find people willing to commit to 6
years of service– High turnover rate
Other reasons Time for a change…?
Board Demographics in PA
Years of Service on School Board
1980 1990 2002
Under 5 62% 50% 46%
5 – 10 24% 35% 35%
11 – 20 10% 12% 14%
Over 20 4% 3% 5%
Advantages/Disadvantages
3 – 3 – 3 Boards– Stability– Continuity of leadership– Assurance of experienced board
5-4 Boards– Quick response to single issues– Potential for “take-overs” and instability
Recommendation – Return to 3-3-3
School Board Election Cycles
Findings– Current law specifies 9 members for most districts– Election of 5 members one election and 4 the
next, for term of 4 years– Election cycle produces turbulence
Assessment– Member turbulence can causes dramatic policy
shifts– Election law could be changed to provide for fewer
members each election and/or longer terms providing more stability
Board Demographics in PA
AGE
1980 1990 2002
Under 35 11% 7% 3%
36-45 32% 35% 20%
46-55 37% 31% 40%
56-65 14% 17% 22%
Over 65 6% 10% 15%
Board Demographics in PA
Education
1980 1990 2002
High School 27% 18% 15%
Some College 19% 18% 14%
College Grad 28% 31% 33%
Master 16% 20% 26%
PhD, EdD 10% 13% 12%
Board Director Development Findings
– Aging board members– Board members well educated– No background checks or formal training required– School code specifies members to be 18 years old
and of good moral character.– Other states have successfully implemented
mandatory training to develop board members– Ability of boards to govern and provide leadership
not consistently displayed
Board Director DevelopmentAssumptions
–Older board members may have interest in taxation issues over education mission
–Lack of formal training lends towards members functioning in their “comfort zone” and furtherance of personal agendas and/or risk aversion
–Developmental training increases member efficiency, focus on board functions and consistency in governance
–Learning organizations serve their constituents better
Board Director Development Recommendation
– Legislature amend laws to require:• All newly elected Board members attend
orientation training (12 hrs)• Annual professional development (4 hrs)• All Board members successfully pass
background checks prior to assuming duties.
– Variety of options– Administered by state Bd. of Ed.– Funded by school board– Incentives
Board Director Development Training Content
– Overview of Education in PA– Legal and Regulatory Environment– District Goals, Programs, Policies– Board Operations– Roles and Responsibilities– Creating a Vision– Personal/Professional Development
Building Consensus
Enlist Support of Stakeholders in the Educational Community to:– Educate the Legislature
– Educate the Public About the Importance of School Board
Creating a Critical Mass of Support
Small Scale: Build Support within the Organizations
Larger Scale: Communication to Legislature and General Public
Full Scale: Bill Introduced Consider the Opposition
Conclusions Legislature has role in student
achievement through school code School code must be revised to
reflect changes in school board roles and responsibilities
Complexity of school policy environment dictates development for school board members
References Institute for Educational Leadership. (2001).
Leadership for Student Learning: Restructuring School District Leadership. Washington D.C.
Pennsylvania Department of Education. Pennsylvania Public School Code of 1949. Harrisburg, PA.
The Education Policy and Leadership Center. (2004). Strengthening the Work of School Boards in Pennsylvania. Harrisburg, PA.
Bloomington Cunningham Gehring Land