Jennifer makes a very good point: "how do we move past 'my kid' to 'our kids.'" I think this is just a restatement of the political problem we have been facing for the last decade or so. "How do we move past "what is in it for me" to what is the best solution for this problem". Until the electorate gets this again, we will continue to have funding problems for our schools and other public services. Mike Fratto Payne Phalen
>>> <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> 12/06/2004 8:17:57 AM >>> Ren�e Jenson wrote: The School Board's job is to negotiate with the union the best deal for the kids, the teachers, the parents, and all other stakeholders in the district. They don't "work" for anyone - other than the kids of the district. That's why they are the Board. One of the issues that's come up in NEAT is sorting out our Roles & Responsibilities when it comes to increasing student achievement; in essence, how do we move past "my kid" to "our kids." At NEAT's core is an effort to "use the research" to make informed decisions, so we try to make any inquiry "research-based." We've posted some models at _http://www.stpaulneat.org/Roles___Responsibilities.html_ (http://www.stpaulneat.org/Roles___Responsibilities.html) The "Student Centered Approach to Accountability" one has a description of the Roles & Responsibilities of Local School Boards at _http://www.stpaulneat.org/BoEs.html_ (http://www.stpaulneat.org/BoEs.html) (Note: model comes from standards-reform arena, so has implementing new academic standards as part of focus). What I've been wondering about is the connection between policy and practice. A policy board is one that doesn't get involved in the day-to-day operations. It's one that "charts the course" and then holds the Superintendent responsible for accomplishing results. But what happens when there's disconnects and dead ends? It used to be there was a clear "chain of command" when parents were concerned about an issue - immediate staff, principal, area supe, supe, board of education. If the board of education is a policy board, does that mean they don't play a role in redressing wrongs? In other states there are "State Boards of Education." We abolished these in MN. I've wandered around some of their sites and clearly some function as a "complaints office" which I can see wanting to avoid, but when we have concerns beyond the local level (e.g., how MN defines "mobility" in it's implementation of NCLB), what's the chain of command? Where do we go with our concerns? State Department of Education, then Governor as chief administrative officer? Then legislators? But then, aren't legislators like school boards, responsible for policy, not practice? Ultimately, who's accountable to parents as a) guardians and primary educators of our children, b) taxpayers and c) voters? Without a State Board of Education there isn't a clear (accountable to the public) place to go with concerns. FYI - The model also has a "Roles & Responsibilities" of local community which might be of conversational interest to this forum. Willing to shape the model to suit Saint Paul should any want to comment. --Jennifer Armstrong Payne/Phalen _____________________________________________ To Join: St. Paul Issues Forum Rules Discussion Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] ____________________________________________ NEW ADDRESS FOR LIST: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To subscribe, modify subscription, or get your password - visit: http://www.mnforum.org/mailman/listinfo/stpaul Archive Address: http://www.mnforum.org/mailman/private/stpaul/ _____________________________________________ To Join: St. Paul Issues Forum Rules Discussion Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] ____________________________________________ NEW ADDRESS FOR LIST: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To subscribe, modify subscription, or get your password - visit: http://www.mnforum.org/mailman/listinfo/stpaul Archive Address: http://www.mnforum.org/mailman/private/stpaul/
