NCLB Governance Calendar*

Time: Summer

School choice and supplemental services are announced to parents and the public.

New board members take office in some states.

• Discuss SINOI.
• Discuss choice and supplemental services responsibilities and plans.
• Discuss a communication plan for these items.
• Review the requirements of NCLB and your state’s plan.
• Determine how NCLB fits into the district’s larger education goals – including results from previous public engagement activities.

Implement a communication plan to address SINOI and report card results:

• Prepare the media, parents and the community in advance to understand SINOI and report cards.
• Communicate to the public when the report card results are published for explanation and reaction.

Review local policies for the opening of school.

Evaluate the school board’s student achievement role during the previous year and determine what improvements could be made.

Establish student achievement goals with the superintendent for inclusion in his or her performance review for the following year.

Develop a year-round NCLB governance agenda.

Develop a plan to engage the public regarding its goals and perceptions of the district.

Identify training needs and resources for new and current board members. (Consult with your state school boards association.)

Time: Fall

Report cards are published in November, including:

• AYP for all schools and school districts.
• Teacher qualifications.
• Plans for improvement.

Conduct school board workshops to:

• Review principles and examples of standards and assessments used by the district – including information on how to analyze state test results.
• Review principles of data-driven and research-based decision making.
• Review AYP data and other items on state, district and local report cards.
• Evaluate the district’s progress toward making AYP and other student achievement goals using appropriate measures.
• Identify needs related to key NCLB issues, such as:
  • Recruitment and professional development of highly qualified teachers and paraprofessionals.
  • Schools and/or groups of students requiring special attention.
  • Gaps in the current curriculum.
• Review plans, budget and policy recommendations from the superintendent to address these issues.
• Determine how progress will be measured, how school staff and students will be held accountable, and how that information will be communicated.

Implement the communication plan and larger public engagement activities.

Time: Winter/Spring

School district budget development begins.

Contract negotiations are held.

Legislative sessions begin in states and in Congress.

New school board members take office in some states.

Develop collective bargaining objectives that align employee contracts with other NCLB and student achievement goals.

Implement the communication plan.

Lobby Congress and state policy makers for the funds and policy changes needed to successfully implement NCLB.

Align school board policies to NCLB and student achievement goals.

Approve plans to improve the content and dissemination of the following year’s report card and NCLB notice requirements.

Evaluate the superintendent on the basis of previously agreed on NCLB and other student achievement goals.

* This calendar represents an example of how a school board can develop a year-round plan both to meet its governance goals under NCLB and to raise student achievement generally. Your calendar should take into account state timelines and any complications that specific issues pose for your district. Your first year’s plan may have to be adjusted depending on the time of year it is adopted and the school board’s need for information.