The Link Between School Readiness and Student Achievement . . . A Local Governance Issue

Abstract:
This article stems from the project, Healthy Children, Ready to Learn: The Role of Local School Governance. Staff from nine state school boards associations and a NSBA member met to discuss how school boards can assume a greater leadership role in becoming advocates for children, both in the classroom and in the community. The group addressed three goals using the NSBA governance framework (Vision, Structure, Accountability, Advocacy) as a guide to identify: the school board's role in enabling children come to school ready to learn, ways that it prepares the school(s) to meet diverse student learning needs, and types of assistance state school boards could provide to assist in the expanded leadership role. The group determined that school boards could benefit from self-reflection to identify the desired results of their expanded leadership role, a structure that will help facilitate these changes, and a plan to look at the progress of the changes; to identify strengths as well as the areas in need of greater support. The group found that boards could benefit from expanding their advocacy of children in supporting community events and in becoming a catalyst for positive change to benefit the health and well-being of children.

Author(s): BRUMBAUGH, Sharon

Publication: Updating School Board Policies


Date Published: 8/1/1996

Pages: 2

Location Code: 6214