School Board
Background Information
Functions of local school boards:
Set student discipline policies
Set school calendars
Set local graduation requirements
Set student attendance patterns
Provide school buildings
Hire a superintendent to administer their schools and guide operations. There are 117 local school districts and local school boards in North Carolina.
Graphic of North Carolina School Governance
source: http://www.ncpublicschools.org/state_board/annualrpt/99-00/section4.html
State Board: Reasons for having a State Board of Education.
School Board Assignment
Answer questions 1-4. Each is worth 3 points. Pick a question from the last three ( 5, 6, and 7) to answer. It is also worth 3 points. In order to get your complete three points on each question your answers should be well written and edited for mistakes. Your answers should address each aspect of the question and supporting details from the readings and/or your EDN200 class should be integrated into your response.
School Calendar
*You'll need RealPlayer downloaded on your computer to view this. Click here for a free download.
Watch video clip on the changes in the school calendar.
Read the School Calendar bill and the Workdays websites.
1. What impact did the economics of North Carolina have on this school calendar legislation? Discuss your feelings about the calendar. Include pros and cons.
Multi-tracking
Watch the video clip on multi-tracking.
Read this article on the pros and cons of multi-tracking.
View this example of a multi-track calendar (Wake County)
2. What considerations must be taken into account before a decision about multi-tracking can be made? Relate this answer to your EDN200 class discussions of the analytic framework-politics, economy, ideology and education.
Report Cards
Watch the video clip on report cards.
3. How important is it that all schools use the same grading scale? Should elementary schools use the more traditional ABC grades or the Satisfactory, Proficient, and Needs Improvement style? Why or why not?
Overcrowding: Parsley Elementary Parents Speak Out
Watch the video clip on overcrowding.
4. How do parents in a school district effect change in board policy? Do some schools' parents have more influence than others in the decisions made by a school board? Why or why not?
5. View the National School Board Association's Board Buzz blog. Pick an issue that interests you. Summarize it and give your opinion on it.
6. Go to the New Hanover County Public Schools site and click on the School Board link. Go to the School Board agenda and analyze the agenda for the major topics the Board is dealing with. Summarize what percentage of the time you believe the Board is spending on topics you believe are crucial for them to be dealing. Explain your answer.
7. Does the political process of having an elected School Board assist or inhibit the process of helping schools succeed? Explain your thinking.