An operational model for the development of written school board policies.

Abstract

The literature was compiled and presented in ten categories which represent the major areas of concern related to the formulation of an operational model for the development of school board policies.

The study was accomplished through (1) a review of the pertinent related literature, (2) the development of an operational model for preparing written school board policy based upon the data identified by the literature and through discussions with the superintendent of schools, (3) the implementation of the model in a specific major public school system, and (4) testing of the model by using the model to develop a comprehensive set of school board policies for a major school district.

By implementation of the model in a major school district it was concluded the model could be used by large school districts to develop school board policies.

Essential components identified for incorporation in the model were: (1) board of education, (2) superintendent, (3) policy draft writer, (4) superintendent's staff, (5) data base, (6) codification system, and (7) distribution system. Six sub-components identified were: (1) employee groups, (2) board attorney, (3) readability committee, (4) community groups, (5) committees A-L, and (6) reading and review committee.

The purpose of this study was to develop and test an operational model that could be used by major school districts as a guide in the preparation of written school board policies. Specifically the student attempted: (1) To determine the basic principles of writing policy statements and methods of codifying policies. (2) To develop a model organized around the essential components identified from the literature survey and through discussions with the superintendent of schools. (3) To describe the model graphically and verbally.