Shared Decision Making: Moving Forward Together Minneapolis Public Schools Site Council Training Presented by Office of Student Support, Family & Community Engagement December 13, 17, 19, 2007

WELCOME! Objectives for today: Provide an overview of the MPS shared leadership model Clarify roles and responsibilities in the decision-making process Provide time for teams to reflect on their work together

What is Shared Leadership? It is a process for members of the school community to work together to: Improve student achievement Define school goals Solve problems Use the Theory of Action and Minneapolis Way to move toward shared goals.

Theory of Action: If all adults of the Minneapolis Public Schools community learn and work together in a positive environment to meet student learning needs, then student achievement will increase.

Strategy to Achieve the Theory of Action: Build capacity across the district in order to: establish high-quality, standards-based instruction at every school; establish support systems that respond to students’ needs; and engage parents and community to contribute to student learning.

CAPACITY Build Stakeholders Systems Resources …across the district. Staff Students Parents Community Systems Decision Making Accountability Communications Data use Culture Culture Resources Time People Money Information Culture

The Minneapolis Way Focus first on learning and service. Honor individuals for what they bring to the system. Create transparency. Build productive, collaborative relationships. Be accountable. Act intentionally and strategically.

“People whose lives are affected by a decision must be a part of the process of arriving at that decision.” John Naisbitt, Megatrends

What is a Site Council? Team of teachers, staff, parents, principals, and others from a school community who work together to help their school be successful.

Site Council Requirements Reflect the diversity of the school community- must put energy into recruiting a Site Council Be no more than 50% district employees Include the principal Include MFT steward (or an alternate)

By-Laws At the very least, by-laws should include: Size of Council Terms of Members Member-Selection Process Meeting Schedule Areas of Focus for the Council

Everyone has a Role to Play in the Site Council

Power Shared is Power Gained. Teachers, administrators and parents are strengthened through the synergy that results when they share power with one another.

Role & Responsibility of Site Council: ▪ Improve Student Achievement ▪ Accountable for Results

Characteristics of Successful Site Councils The principal and site council direct adequate resources (financial, time, human) toward family involvement initiatives. The principal and site council set high expectations of staff and families to work together to increase student success and academic achievement. The principal and site council monitor the results of the school’s initiatives to increase the level and quality of family involvement. The principal and site council are approachable and provide opportunities for dialogue with families (for example, monthly breakfasts with the principal).

Discussion: What are some things your site council is doing to improve student achievement?

Remember… Federal, State and MPS Board of Education policies on curriculum, instruction, assessment and funding restrictions must be followed.

Role & Responsibility of Site Council Members: ▪ Contribute to the Success of the Site Council

Characteristics of Site Council Members Are active participants Share responsibility for collaboration Committed to increasing family & community involvement Demonstrate desire to contribute to the success of each child at the school Are respectful of others’ ideas and perspectives

Role & Responsibility of Site Council Chair/Co-Chair: ▪ Provide Strong Leadership

Characteristics of Site Council Chairs Work as a partner with principal and others Ability to identify and prioritize issues and set agendas with others Ability to create a welcoming atmosphere Good understanding of the budgeting process Strong facilitator

Role of Principal/Site Administrator on Site Council: ▪ Focus for Accountability Principals are held accountable through licensure formal hiring process principals’ contract principals’ job description principals’ evaluation process

Characteristics of Principals on the Site Council Works collaboratively with all members of the council Provides information to inform decisions Acts as the final decision-making authority Facilitates effective solutions Leads the development of school direction & vision Responds to stakeholders

Role & Responsibility of Teachers/Staff on Site Councils ▪ Source of Expertise Essential for Academic Achievement

Characteristics of Teachers/Staff on the Site Council Offer their knowledge and skills to the team Review and interpret data

Developing Group Norms How a group makes decisions, assigns work, and holds people accountable determines team success. Adopt group relationship guidelines or group norms early to ensure group success.

Site Council Decision-Making Review the handout. Which do you think describes your Site Council now?

When does each work best? Consensus Voting Subgroup One Person

Consensus works when… Issues are important, with large ramifications that affect many stakeholders. Small groups work together in general. Rich dialogue is possible in real time. Group is informed and invested. Member support is critical to the decision.

Voting works when… Consensus in unlikely in the given time. Members are all informed and understand each others’ views. It has been determined that the majority can implement without active involvement of those who “lose” in the vote. There is a plan for how to engage those who “lose” in the vote.

Subgroups work when… They have necessary information or expertise to make the decision or recommendation. This is the only entity impacted by the decision and can implement it without the active involvement of the majority The whole group is truly comfortable delegating the authority to its representatives

One person decision making works when… It is an emergency. One person has all the relevant information. When one person is trusted to make a good decision. When the outcome only impacts the decision maker.

Discussion: Each Site Council is assigned one type of decision-making. Discuss: What are some examples of when you have used this type of decision-making?

Site Council Tips and Ideas

“Coming together is a beginning; keeping together is progress; working together is success.” Henry Ford

Thanks for coming and sharing with us today Thanks for coming and sharing with us today. All of Central Services stand by to help you. Academic Affairs Office Legal Counsel Student Support Services Office of Family & Community Engagement