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What do we mean by changing policies in schools?

___Changing policy generally means convincing the School Committee, which is usually in charge of setting policy, to change or eliminate an existing policy or to institute a new policy in order to benefit students and/or the community.

Why should you work to change policies in schools?

___To improve students’ (and others’) health.

___To improve education.

___To meet the needs of particular groups.

___To improve classroom and school climate and culture.

___To protect students and staff from harm.

___To safeguard students’ rights.

___To respond to a perceived community need.

When should you try to change policies in schools?

___Before the beginning of a new school year.

___When there’s an obvious need.

___When a situation comes to light that makes a need obvious.

___When the School Committee or staff members do something that seems to contradict good educational policy.

___When there’s a clear threat to students’ or staff members’ health, safety, etc..

___When students’, parents’, or teachers’ basic rights are threatened.

Who should be involved in changing policies in schools?

___Students

___Parents

___The School Committee

___The superintendent

___Other school administrators

___Teachers

___Particular groups affected by the proposed change

___Groups interested in the issue addressed by the proposed change

___Concerned citizens

How do you change policies in schools?

___Identify and marshal your support.

___Develop a strategy through a participatory process.

___Learn about current policy.

___Know the issue inside out.

___Research the alternatives.

___Prepare a solid rationale for policy change.

___Learn about the structure of the school system and the personalities of those within it.

___Identify your allies and opponents, both inside and outside the school system.

___Decide whether policy change is what’s really needed.

___Draft the policy you want.

___Start your discussions at the lowest responsible level in the school hierarchy.

___Get your group on the School Committee agenda.

___Present the proposed policy change at a School Committee meeting.

If the change is rejected, you can:

___Regroup and try again, or continue discussion with the School Committee.

___Conduct a social action campaign to defeat or recall current School Committee members, or to convince them to change their minds on policy.

___Once the change is accepted, use your organization to maintain it, and to tackle the next issue.