Frequently Asked Questions
As we work with accountability committees all over the state, we hear some questions over and over again. Here are some of the most common.
I'm brand new to my accountability committee. Where do I start?
Start by being patient with yourself. Everyone is overwhelmed at the beginning: there's a lot to learn. A good resource is the Handbook for Colorado Educational Accountability, published by the Colorado Department of Education.
But even if you feel a bit bewildered the first few months, don't underestimate the role you play on your committee. New members can be incredibly valuable: they bring a fresh perspective, they ask good questions (the ones that everyone else has been afraid to ask), and they can provide editorial comments that keep plans and reports from being overrun by jargon.
Who should be on my accountability committee?
It depends on when your committee was formed. Schools that had accountability committees before January 1, 2000, have been grandfathered in under the old rules (see the next paragraph). Schools that were new after January 1, 2000, must have School Advisory Councils, with only seven members: the principal (or designee), one teacher, three parents (or legal guardians) of students enrolled in the school, one adult designated by the PTA or PTO, and a community member involved in business.
It is fortunate that those schools that were in existence before January 1, 2000, may keep their traditional accountability committees. For these committees, the membership shall consist of at least one parent, one teacher, one school administrator, and a taxpayer from the district. What are the advantages of the older structure? There are two: the committee is not limited in membership and may be as large as needed (as opposed to the new councils, which are limited to seven), and the committee structure can be designed by the district advisory accountability committee, which then recommends its adoption to the local board of education. As a consequence, committee structures can be tailored to suit local circumstances. A very large district, for instance, can have a large district accountability committee that includes representatives from each of its schools; a small rural district with only two school buildings can create one district committee composed of the two individual school accountability committees, and within the same meeting can conduct business at both the district and the school level.
How often should our committee meet?
In reality, probably once a month. By law, at least quarterly. There's more work to do than you would suppose. A good resource for suggested agendas is in Appendix G of the Handbook for Colorado Educational Accountability.
Who should run the committee?
Ideally, a parent. Many principals get stuck with chairing this committee and end up doing a "dog-and-pony" show every month, while parents sit silently, intimidated and in need of an "educationese" translator. It's better if a parent chairs or co-chairs with a staff member. Here are the advantages:
- Less work for the principal!
- Parents are often more comfortable if another parent is running the committee. Placing a parent in the chair or moderator role indicates that the principal and teachers value their parent volunteers.
- A parent brings a different perspective to the role and can make sure that the meetings don't confuse the parent and community members with educational concepts and jargon that staff members take for granted.
If your principal doesn't want to let go of the reins, suggest a partnership. The principal and the parent co-chair can meet ahead of time to set an agenda. Individual teachers can be asked to prepare short talks on what is happening in the classroom or on new curriculum initiatives. (Parents love to hear those real-life, direct-from-the-trenches stories. It makes concepts much more vivid.)
I don't feel welcome at my school's accountability committee meeting. In fact, everyone acts like it's a secret club!
Colorado law to the rescue! Just about all school meetings are open to the public. There are only a few exceptions: school boards may go into private session to discuss personnel matters or student expulsions or consult with their attorneys. Accountability meetings at either your school or district are open to everyone. Even if you are not a member, you are entitled to attend! Furthermore, the date, time, and location of the meeting should be published with sufficient notice (at least a week), and the minutes of the meeting are public records.
That's not to say that you are allowed to barge into a meeting and monopolize the discussion with a tirade against Mrs. Grouchy, your child's teacher. Accountability committees work more on the policy and procedure level; particular complaints about teachers or students can rightfully be ruled off-limits in a meeting. (How would you like it if a bunch of people talked about you behind your back?)
How do I get a copy of my school's improvement plan?
Ask for it. It's a public record.