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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.

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Page 1: Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007 An Evidence-Based Approach to the Practice of Educational Leadership First Edition Ronald W. Rebore Angela L. E. Walmsley

Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007

An Evidence-Based Approach to the Practice of Educational

LeadershipFirst Edition

Ronald W. ReboreAngela L. E. WalmsleySaint 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.

Page 2: Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007 An Evidence-Based Approach to the Practice of Educational Leadership First Edition Ronald W. Rebore Angela L. E. Walmsley

Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007

Chapter 1:Evidence-Based Leadership in School District Governance

Page 3: Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007 An Evidence-Based Approach to the Practice of Educational Leadership First Edition Ronald W. Rebore Angela L. E. Walmsley

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

Page 4: Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007 An Evidence-Based Approach to the Practice of Educational Leadership First Edition Ronald W. Rebore Angela L. E. Walmsley

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

Page 5: Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007 An Evidence-Based Approach to the Practice of Educational Leadership First Edition Ronald W. Rebore Angela L. E. Walmsley

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

Page 6: Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007 An Evidence-Based Approach to the Practice of Educational Leadership First Edition Ronald W. Rebore Angela L. E. Walmsley

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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.

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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

Page 8: Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007 An Evidence-Based Approach to the Practice of Educational Leadership First Edition Ronald W. Rebore Angela L. E. Walmsley

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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

Page 9: Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007 An Evidence-Based Approach to the Practice of Educational Leadership First Edition Ronald W. Rebore Angela L. E. Walmsley

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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

Page 10: Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007 An Evidence-Based Approach to the Practice of Educational Leadership First Edition Ronald W. Rebore Angela L. E. Walmsley

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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.

Page 11: Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007 An Evidence-Based Approach to the Practice of Educational Leadership First Edition Ronald W. Rebore Angela L. E. Walmsley

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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.

Page 12: Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007 An Evidence-Based Approach to the Practice of Educational Leadership First Edition Ronald W. Rebore Angela L. E. Walmsley

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

Page 13: Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007 An Evidence-Based Approach to the Practice of Educational Leadership First Edition Ronald W. Rebore Angela L. E. Walmsley

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.

Page 14: Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007 An Evidence-Based Approach to the Practice of Educational Leadership First Edition Ronald W. Rebore Angela L. E. Walmsley

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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.

Page 15: Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007 An Evidence-Based Approach to the Practice of Educational Leadership First Edition Ronald W. Rebore Angela L. E. Walmsley

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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:

Page 16: Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007 An Evidence-Based Approach to the Practice of Educational Leadership First Edition Ronald W. Rebore Angela L. E. Walmsley

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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.

Page 17: Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007 An Evidence-Based Approach to the Practice of Educational Leadership First Edition Ronald W. Rebore Angela L. E. Walmsley

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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.

Page 18: Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007 An Evidence-Based Approach to the Practice of Educational Leadership First Edition Ronald W. Rebore Angela L. E. Walmsley

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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.

Page 19: Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007 An Evidence-Based Approach to the Practice of Educational Leadership First Edition Ronald W. Rebore Angela L. E. Walmsley

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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.

Page 20: Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007 An Evidence-Based Approach to the Practice of Educational Leadership First Edition Ronald W. Rebore Angela L. E. Walmsley

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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

Page 21: Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007 An Evidence-Based Approach to the Practice of Educational Leadership First Edition Ronald W. Rebore Angela L. E. Walmsley

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

Page 22: Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007 An Evidence-Based Approach to the Practice of Educational Leadership First Edition Ronald W. Rebore Angela L. E. Walmsley

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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

Page 23: Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007 An Evidence-Based Approach to the Practice of Educational Leadership First Edition Ronald W. Rebore Angela L. E. Walmsley

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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.

Page 24: Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007 An Evidence-Based Approach to the Practice of Educational Leadership First Edition Ronald W. Rebore Angela L. E. Walmsley

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.

Page 25: Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007 An Evidence-Based Approach to the Practice of Educational Leadership First Edition Ronald W. Rebore Angela L. E. Walmsley

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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

Page 26: Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007 An Evidence-Based Approach to the Practice of Educational Leadership First Edition Ronald W. Rebore Angela L. E. Walmsley

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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

Page 27: Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007 An Evidence-Based Approach to the Practice of Educational Leadership First Edition Ronald W. Rebore Angela L. E. Walmsley

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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.

Page 28: Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007 An Evidence-Based Approach to the Practice of Educational Leadership First Edition Ronald W. Rebore Angela L. E. Walmsley

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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

Page 29: Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007 An Evidence-Based Approach to the Practice of Educational Leadership First Edition Ronald W. Rebore Angela L. E. Walmsley

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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.

Page 30: Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007 An Evidence-Based Approach to the Practice of Educational Leadership First Edition Ronald W. Rebore Angela L. E. Walmsley

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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.

Page 31: Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007 An Evidence-Based Approach to the Practice of Educational Leadership First Edition Ronald W. Rebore Angela L. E. Walmsley

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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.

Page 32: Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007 An Evidence-Based Approach to the Practice of Educational Leadership First Edition Ronald W. Rebore Angela L. E. Walmsley

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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

Page 33: Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007 An Evidence-Based Approach to the Practice of Educational Leadership First Edition Ronald W. Rebore Angela L. E. Walmsley

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.

Page 34: Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007 An Evidence-Based Approach to the Practice of Educational Leadership First Edition Ronald W. Rebore Angela L. E. Walmsley

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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

Page 35: Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007 An Evidence-Based Approach to the Practice of Educational Leadership First Edition Ronald W. Rebore Angela L. E. Walmsley

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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.

Page 36: Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007 An Evidence-Based Approach to the Practice of Educational Leadership First Edition Ronald W. Rebore Angela L. E. Walmsley

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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.

Page 37: Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007 An Evidence-Based Approach to the Practice of Educational Leadership First Edition Ronald W. Rebore Angela L. E. Walmsley

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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

Page 38: Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007 An Evidence-Based Approach to the Practice of Educational Leadership First Edition Ronald W. Rebore Angela L. E. Walmsley

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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.

Page 39: Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007 An Evidence-Based Approach to the Practice of Educational Leadership First Edition Ronald W. Rebore Angela L. E. Walmsley

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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.

Page 40: Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007 An Evidence-Based Approach to the Practice of Educational Leadership First Edition Ronald W. Rebore Angela L. E. Walmsley

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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

Page 41: Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007 An Evidence-Based Approach to the Practice of Educational Leadership First Edition Ronald W. Rebore Angela L. E. Walmsley

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

Page 42: Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007 An Evidence-Based Approach to the Practice of Educational Leadership First Edition Ronald W. Rebore Angela L. E. Walmsley

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?

Page 43: Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007 An Evidence-Based Approach to the Practice of Educational Leadership First Edition Ronald W. Rebore Angela L. E. Walmsley

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?

Page 44: Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007 An Evidence-Based Approach to the Practice of Educational Leadership First Edition Ronald W. Rebore Angela L. E. Walmsley

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?