School Based Decision Making
Use of the school based decision making process varies from school to school, and committees that use this process have a variety of names, rules and/or bylaws. What is important is that the committee follows the decision making standards in the way it operates.
Some schools use school based decision making in a committee that has written bylaws that outline how voting members are selected. Other schools have appointed members. Check with your principal and/or parent leaders to learn how the process works in your school.
The CDM Coordinating Committee merged with the Parents as Partners/A6 Committee. Several members served on both groups and the long term goals of the committees are very similar. This group is now referred to as the Parent and Family Involvement Committee and membership includes a teacher, counselor, principal, community member, and parent, as well as the department of Multicultural Student Services and the Educational Equity office. The CDM Coordinating Committee has two specifically defined responsibilities that remain as part of their committee work, if needed. Representatives from district accountability, the community, the employee associations, and district PTA will be called together in order to complete these responsibilities.
- Review of site appeals
- District cooperative decision making assessment
Per the negotiated agreement between the Jefferson County Education Association and the district, the Coordinating Committee hears appeals. The agreement states, "When presented with an appeal, the Coordinating Committee, using the standards set for all schools/sites, will determine if the appeal is a school based decision making issue. It is not the purpose of the Coordinating Committee to review site decisions, but to assist in assuring a school based process has taken place. The Coordinating Committee members may be expected to gather appropriate data prior to convening meetings. Coordinating Committee meetings will be convened to review appeals, to collect information from all parties and to respond with suggestions for process improvement." Read the Process Review Form.
- The participants are broadly representative of the school community.
- The process operates with written rules that are widely understood.
- The roles of the various decision-making groups are understood within the CDM process.
- The CDM process has a shared vision that focuses on improvement of student learning.
- The CDM process determines what decisions are made and how they are made.
- Meetings are open and at convenient times.
- The CDM process is communicated internally and externally.
- The process is evaluated to determine its effectiveness.
- Training is provided for all participants.
- Assistance is utilized when needed.
Read the complete Standards of Operation
View School Based Decision Making Brochure
To provide a quality education that prepares all children for a successful future.
The Call to Action: Building Bright Futures includes a section entitled "Community." That section includes the following objectives and indicators.
- Objective 1: Ensure the district reaches out to the community and continuously builds support for Jeffco Schools.
Indicator 1.2: Provide appropriate community involvement opportunities in school based decision making. - Objective 2: Ensure staff, community, and parent/family involvement focuses on increased student achievement.
Indicator 2.1: Provide a safe, welcoming, caring,collaborative, and culturally inclusive community.
Indicator 2. 2: Engage parents in increasing student achievement.
- Objective 3: Ensure a safe, welcoming, caring, and collaborative community.