An Overview of Parent Councils Parent Council Orientation Ministry of Education November 2015

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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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Thank you!

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