Board Standards and School Board Self-Assessment Timi Tullis Director Membership Services Association of Alaska School Boards Intro: Name Where from How long at job What if not here???? (and can’t say I’d be at work!)

VISION The board creates a shared vision to enhance student achievement Tab 3~ Page 11 of handbook

STRUCTURE The board provides a structure that supports the vision Tab 4 Page 13 of handbook

ACCOUNTIBILITY The board measures district performance toward accomplishing the vision and reports on the results to the community Tab 5 Page 21 of handbook

ADVOCACY The board champions the vision Tab 6 Page 27 of handbook

CONDUCT & ETHICS The board and its individual members conduct district business in a fair, respectful, and responsible manner Tab 7 Page 33 of handbook

How do you see these standards improving the way your board does its work AND why do they matter?   Taking a look at the chapter your table has in front of them, how might a board focus on that standard in the year ahead?

Why do a Self Assessment? Become More Proactive   Anticipate Issues That Will Impact The District Identify Potential Trouble Spots In The Board In Operations On Issues Ii. Develop And Monitor The Board’s Vision Used As A Starting Point For Board Planning Evaluate Goals And Help Develop New Ones Use New Goals For Next Assessment Iii. Identify Perceived Areas Of Strength And Weaknesses Vision, Structure, Accountability, Advocacy & Conduct And Ethics Iv. Determine Performance of The Board Each Member Has Different Perspective & Expectations Based On What Is Expected Of The Board Hard To Assess If You Don't Know What To Expect Vi. Improve Communications Can Open Channels Of Communication Viii. Plan For Improvement Assessments Should Be Used As A Means For Improvement Not A Report Card Of The Board

TYPES OF SELF-ASSESSMENTS Meeting Effectiveness Individual Responsibilities Board Responsibilities Functions and Operations Combination of all

WHO IS INVOLVED AND WHAT DO THEY DO? Board Initiate Participate Structure Evaluate Superintendent Participate as member of governance team Assist with Improvement Plan Don’t compare supt. against board perception Facilitator Helps Compiles Data; no one see individual response Structures feedback and improvement plan Staff Should Not Participate In A Board Self-Assessment May Want Input On Staff Perception On Achievement Of District Goals And/Or Improvement Plan Community Consider a community survey Board President Make the Suggestion Oversee the Process Urge Completion Start the Conversation Implement the Improvement Plan

Process of a SELF-ASSESSMENT 1 Consensus 2 Set date/Timeline 3 Results What is the Process?   Get Consensus From The Board What when and how  Split Boards: Won't Work Without Agreement  Adopt Timeline Summer, Fall, Winter, Spring – there is no “best” time, but decide on which will make most sense for your board. Completion 1 Week Analysis 2 Weeks Review; With Full Board At Least One Meeting Check-Up Every Few Months Complete Assessment Keep To The Schedule Make Sure Everyone Knows What To Do Compile Results Who Does It? Committee President Facilitator Should not be done by a staff person or the supt. Review Assessments & Select Priorities  Clarify Understanding Of Questions Did Everyone Answer The Same Question? Select Reasonable Number Of Issue For Further Discussion

WHY DO THE AASB SELF-ASSESSMENT? Criterion-Based Provides a Link Between Board Functions and the Assessment Based on Board Standards: Vision Structure Accountability Advocacy Conduct & Ethics Provides continuity between board functions and assessment Reviews both the how and the why of the work of the board Available at the AASB website FREE  

WHY Improvement Plans? Strategies for Improvement Shift Conflict to SOLUTION Timeframe for follow through Why develop an improvement plan?   I. Ensure The Continuation Of What The Board Does Well Gives Structure To Ad Hoc Board Procedures Helps New Members Understand The Process Ii. Propose Strategies In Areas Needing Improvement Permits All Members to Address the Problem Allows for the Possibility of Change Iii. Shift Focus Away From Conflict Toward Solution Brings Issues Out In The Open Gives Purpose To The Discussion

Development of Improvement Plans How Do We Develop An Improvement Plan?   I. Review Information Generated From The Assessment All Members And Superintendent Ii. Select Specific Issues For Discussion Look For Those Items That Are Ranked Low Or Have A Large Difference Of Opinion Discuss Everyone’s Perspective On The Issue Iii. Develop Solutions Identify Specific Strategies Clarify Who Is Responsible Establish A Timeline

Goal Setting Come to an agreement as a full board. Give the Superintendent indication of what the board sees as important for future. Goals allow measurement of progress.

Thank you Be sure to contact me at AASB for more information! Find links at: http://aasb.org/content/board- development