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.