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Lawmakers in Mississippi are taking a sensible step in education reform with the passage of the Quality Education Act.
Among its provisions, the act requires training of local school board members. The premise is that board members play a vital role in school stewardship and yet, when compared to the amount of training given teachers and administrators in this era of accountability, they are often left off the training grid.
Just think about it. At any school board meeting, these elected representatives deal with complex legal, financial, personnel and contractual issues — aside from curriculum matters and whether to fund the band’s trip to Cancun over spring break. Colorado lawmakers would be wise to follow suit.
The Colorado Association of School Boards provides basic primers for new school board members, but much more could be done. A structured and intensive training regimen, a school board member boot camp, if you will, would ramp up knowledge and expertise of the people who hold powerful sway in the way a district functions.
Too often, board members sit in pliant deference to legal counsel or the superintendent. Knowledge is power, and if board members had more expertise on budgets and other arcane matters they’d ask better questions and give better direction.
The law requires that districts provide assurance that board members demonstrate the ability to execute duties of their position.
Further, Mississippi estimates the cost would be nominal.
Seems a small price to pay for better school leadership.
Among its provisions, the act requires training of local school board members. The premise is that board members play a vital role in school stewardship and yet, when compared to the amount of training given teachers and administrators in this era of accountability, they are often left off the training grid.
Just think about it. At any school board meeting, these elected representatives deal with complex legal, financial, personnel and contractual issues — aside from curriculum matters and whether to fund the band’s trip to Cancun over spring break. Colorado lawmakers would be wise to follow suit.
The Colorado Association of School Boards provides basic primers for new school board members, but much more could be done. A structured and intensive training regimen, a school board member boot camp, if you will, would ramp up knowledge and expertise of the people who hold powerful sway in the way a district functions.
Too often, board members sit in pliant deference to legal counsel or the superintendent. Knowledge is power, and if board members had more expertise on budgets and other arcane matters they’d ask better questions and give better direction.
The law requires that districts provide assurance that board members demonstrate the ability to execute duties of their position.
Further, Mississippi estimates the cost would be nominal.
Seems a small price to pay for better school leadership.
