Summary
The importance of developing practices that engage the school board in acts of data-driven decision making and strategic planning toward the goals of increased student achievement was depicted here. Two broad educational governance school board tasks were revealed: Attention to the strategic planning and decision making that impacts student achievement. Traditionally, school boards have focused on setting policy and overseeing administration. School boards must demonstrate accountability by measuring their progress against this set of standards. The school board association creates a framework for good governance which outlines school board standards and notes indicators of those standards so that school board members can measure their progress. This has been expanded in today’s society to include developing a vision, a structure for continuous improvement, accountability, effective decision making and advocacy for the students.
A superintendent’s responsibilities to student achievement are immense, and the finding in recent research supports that school boards must understand the need to retain a quality superintendent. It is evident that the turnover rate of superintendents across the country is another factor contributing to the challenges school boards face. Yet, the leadership of the superintendent is required to sustain healthy practices that will create the climate necessary for school staff to perform so that children receive the education they deserve. Boards must recognize that a collaborative culture can have an impact on the culture of the entire district which, in turn, can positively impact student achievement. They should perform in a manner that reflects service to the community on behalf of students by conducting district business in a fair, respectful, and responsible manner. The expectation of operating under a framework of healthy school board governance, first and foremost, is on the importance of creating structures that allow for professionals to accommodate the needs of all learners.
