an overview of parent councils
Post on 21-Mar-2017
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• Parents matter and have a right to be involved in their children’s education
• Active parental involvement improves school leadership, teaching and learning, and student success
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Parents Matter!
Overview of Parent Councils
• Part of a larger framework
• Developed after consultation and a balancing of views and interests
• Parent-driven
• Supports school leadership
and success
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Councils
Involvement Committee
Involvement Strategy
• Framework is formed by the Education Amendment Act 2015 and the Education (Parent Council) Rules 2015
• Optional parent councils for maintained primary and middle schools
• Parental Involvement Committee (PIC) to focus on improving parental involvement system-wide
• Parental Involvement Strategy for the public education system
Parent
A Parent Council is . . .
An advisory body to the principal, established by and representing the parent body of the school
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Parent Councils
• Are part of a commitment to improve parental involvement
• Provide genuine and meaningful opportunities for parents to participate in the direction and success of schools
• Provide opportunities for direct two-way communication
• Help parents understand what is happening in schools and provide effective support to schools
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Membership
A minimum of:
the principal (ex-officio)
three parents (one is a chairperson)
one teacher or counsellor
one community member
• Parents decide by vote
• Can have additional members, provided parents are the majority
• Membership is flexible so that parents can decide what is right for their school community
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Responsibilities
Advise the principal on:
• the draft budget of the school
• the draft school improvement plan
• a school’s policy for improving student achievement
• a school’s parental and community involvement policy
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Responsibilities
• Helps monitor the school improvement plan
• Shares with the Commissioner of Education preferences for the qualities and competencies for a new principal
• Reports regularly to the parents on its activities
• Gives parents a yearly report of its activities
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Responsibilities • The advisory
responsibilities are optional so that parent councils can choose areas of focus and attention
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How Parent Councils Work
• The parent council can call meetings of the parent body to get their input, deliberate and share information before advising the principal
• Principal must consider and respond to advice given
• May choose to focus on some or all advisory responsibilities
• Parent council must meet at least 3 times per year
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Role of Principals
• Receive and respond to representations by the parent council
• Give parents sufficient information, respecting confidentiality, to carry out its responsibilities
• Provide facility access to the parent council and parent body for meetings
• Overall, to support, guide and facilitate
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Role of the Commissioner of Education
• Promote the establishment and continuation of parent councils
• Provide guidance to principals on parent councils
• In the event of a principal vacancy, receive and consider representations on the qualities and competencies for a new principal
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Key differences
PTA
Promotes parental involvement
Established by its constitution
Carries out responsibilities as per its constitution and custom and practice
Is a registered charity; fundraises
Is community-oriented
Parent Council Provides a framework for
parental involvement
Created in legislation
Carries out specific responsibilities by law; involvement in decision-making
Is not a registered charity and does not fundraise
Has community representation
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Benefits of Parent Councils
The benefits are shared across the Bermuda Public School System by: • Children • Parents • Schools • The Ministry and
Department of Education
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Benefits for Children
• Parent understanding of the school can help parents better relate to their children
• More involved parents can help improve student achievement (behaviour, academics, staying in school, etc.)
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Benefits for Parents
• Provide a framework at the school site for improved and meaningful parental involvement
• Parents can help shape and grow parental involvement
• Provide a forum for parents to discuss and share their views
• Give parents an opportunity to be involved in the decision-making process
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Benefits for Schools
• Can create a deeper sense of understanding and ownership from parents
• Can give the school more partners for school improvement
• Can get a better understanding of parents views and needs
• Can improve two-way communication at the school
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Benefits for Schools
• A way to keep parents informed on important matters affecting the school
• Can create a greater, more formalized support system
• Improved Departmental and school policies and processes
• Gives staff more information on how the school and system works
• Vehicle for more innovation
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Benefits for the Ministry and Department of Education
• Improved Departmental and school policies and processes, e.g. budget, school improvement plan and communication
• Better parent understanding of schools and the system
• Two-way communication with parents
• Parent participation in school and system improvement
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Benefits for All Involved
• Parental involvement in school decision-making and school direction
• Improved communication and information-sharing
• Two-way learning between parents, community members, schools and the Ministry
• Working together for student achievement, school improvement, system improvement
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Possible Challenges
• Time requirement
• The need to outline clear roles and responsibilities
• The need to develop common understanding
• The need to manage expectations
• The need to provide appropriate training and support
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Support for parent councils
• Orientation session
• Workshops
• Parent council toolkit
• Support will be developed collaboratively
• Understanding and capacity will be grown over time
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