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.
