Education Policy in Pennsylvania

Governance & Leadership

Group Members

Rosemary Nilles Lee Burket Dale Keagy Elaine Tischer Jim Thomas

Outline

Task Obsolete school code School Board

– Demographics– Term Length

School Board professional development Creating consensus Conclusions

Task

Identify issues concerning governance and leadership in Pennsylvania education policy that require state action.

Focus Legislative accountability for student

achievement

What law needs to change to improve local school

boards’ accountability for student outcomes?

Pennsylvania School Code

Findings– Written in 1949,

• Many Amendments• No comprehensive update since

– Contradictory and outdated sections– Language confusing on duties of board

Assessment– School Code is obsolete and lacks vision

Pennsylvania School Code

Examples of obsolescence in school board responsibilities– 24 PS 7-740 Water-closets or out-houses – 24 PS 11-1146 Part-time teachers, etc. – 24 PS 15-1516 Bible reading– 24 PS 15-1543 William Penn Day

School Board Background Originally active in day-to-day operations, now focus on

policy Federal and state legislation has moved control away from

local boards– Curriculum– Student achievement standards– Personnel

Superintendents and staff now handle day-to-day issues State holds school administrators responsible for teacher

quality and student achievement Local boards now have little accountability for student

achievement to meet mandated standards Local community holds board responsible for preparing

graduates to enter workforce

School Board Accountability Complicated Requires strengthening credibility and

relevance with the community by establishing:– Policy connected to achievement– Budget connected to achievement– Vision– Close relationship with school administration– Culture of ethical school governance– Requirement for Board member development

School Board Selection and Qualifications - Issues

School board election cycles School board director

development

3 – 3 – 3 Election Cycle

Cycle1

Cycle 2

Cycle 3

3 Directors – 6 year term

3 Directors – 6 year term

3 Directors – 6 year term

5-4 Election Cycle

Cycle 1

Cycle 2

Cycle 1

Cycle 2

4 Directors – 4 year term

5 Directors – 4 year term

4 Directors – 4 year term

5 Directors – 4 year term

Election Cycles in PA

Until early 1980s, Boards in PA elected on 3-3-3 cycle with 6 year terms

Given reason for change to a 5 –4 cycle– Difficult to find people willing to commit to 6

years of service– High turnover rate

Other reasons Time for a change…?

Board Demographics in PA

Years of Service on School Board

1980 1990 2002

Under 5 62% 50% 46%

5 – 10 24% 35% 35%

11 – 20 10% 12% 14%

Over 20 4% 3% 5%

Advantages/Disadvantages

3 – 3 – 3 Boards– Stability– Continuity of leadership– Assurance of experienced board

5-4 Boards– Quick response to single issues– Potential for “take-overs” and instability

Recommendation – Return to 3-3-3

School Board Election Cycles

Findings– Current law specifies 9 members for most districts– Election of 5 members one election and 4 the

next, for term of 4 years– Election cycle produces turbulence

Assessment– Member turbulence can causes dramatic policy

shifts– Election law could be changed to provide for fewer

members each election and/or longer terms providing more stability

Board Demographics in PA

AGE

1980 1990 2002

Under 35 11% 7% 3%

36-45 32% 35% 20%

46-55 37% 31% 40%

56-65 14% 17% 22%

Over 65 6% 10% 15%

Board Demographics in PA

Education

1980 1990 2002

High School 27% 18% 15%

Some College 19% 18% 14%

College Grad 28% 31% 33%

Master 16% 20% 26%

PhD, EdD 10% 13% 12%

Board Director Development Findings

– Aging board members– Board members well educated– No background checks or formal training required– School code specifies members to be 18 years old

and of good moral character.– Other states have successfully implemented

mandatory training to develop board members– Ability of boards to govern and provide leadership

not consistently displayed

Board Director DevelopmentAssumptions

–Older board members may have interest in taxation issues over education mission

–Lack of formal training lends towards members functioning in their “comfort zone” and furtherance of personal agendas and/or risk aversion

–Developmental training increases member efficiency, focus on board functions and consistency in governance

–Learning organizations serve their constituents better

Board Director Development Recommendation

– Legislature amend laws to require:• All newly elected Board members attend

orientation training (12 hrs)• Annual professional development (4 hrs)• All Board members successfully pass

background checks prior to assuming duties.

– Variety of options– Administered by state Bd. of Ed.– Funded by school board– Incentives

Board Director Development Training Content

– Overview of Education in PA– Legal and Regulatory Environment– District Goals, Programs, Policies– Board Operations– Roles and Responsibilities– Creating a Vision– Personal/Professional Development

Building Consensus

Enlist Support of Stakeholders in the Educational Community to:– Educate the Legislature

– Educate the Public About the Importance of School Board

Creating a Critical Mass of Support

Small Scale: Build Support within the Organizations

Larger Scale: Communication to Legislature and General Public

Full Scale: Bill Introduced Consider the Opposition

Conclusions Legislature has role in student

achievement through school code School code must be revised to

reflect changes in school board roles and responsibilities

Complexity of school policy environment dictates development for school board members

Education Policy in Pennsylvania

Governance & Leadership

References Institute for Educational Leadership. (2001).

Leadership for Student Learning: Restructuring School District Leadership. Washington D.C.

Pennsylvania Department of Education. Pennsylvania Public School Code of 1949. Harrisburg, PA.

The Education Policy and Leadership Center. (2004). Strengthening the Work of School Boards in Pennsylvania. Harrisburg, PA.

Bloomington Cunningham Gehring Land