Archive: May 2001

Shared Decision-making
By Steve Kaplan, UniServe Field Organizer

Article 25 of the Collective Negotiations Contract covers educational
reform and shared decision-making. As we try to digest the impact of
the Blueprint for Student Success Part 1 and anticipate the impact of
Blueprint 2, the conflict between Contract language and the Blueprint is
instructive. The Blueprint is an attempt to impose a one-size-fits-all
strategy across the district. The Blueprint is a strategy designed by
a small number of personnel located far from the school site. Finally,
the creators of the Blueprint have demonstrated little or no interest
in incorporating the knowledge and expertise of stakeholder groups
located at the school sites. Compare this to the shared decision-making
commitment of SDEA and the District (in an earlier incarnation).

Section 25.4 (page 125) - the District and the Association share a
fundamental and profound commitment to providing the highest quality
education possible to the students of our district. To this end, the parties
believe that the quality of decision-making is best when the process is
closest to and includes all stakeholders on site governance teams,
which should include parents, community representatives, administrators,
certificated support staff members, and when appropriate, students. The
stakeholders in each school community have the best information to
design and implement effective strategies for the continuous improvement of
student achievement. It is fully recognized that through collaborative
vision and efforts, students benefit academically, socially and
emotionally. Shared decision-making is the process which brings these
stakeholders together to share the responsibility for needed changes in the
instructional program and the corresponding accountability for results of
their decisions. There is no one best way to organize a school, a
classroom or an educational program. (Highlights are mine -
S. Kaplan.)

What can you do at your site?

• Elect strong teacher advocates as Governance Team representatives
• Encourage parents who believe in the local vision to run for
  Governance Team positions
• Know what your Governance Team documents says
• Know what the Board of Education policy on shared decision-making
  says
• Organize in advance for every Governance Team meeting - be prepared