Standards of Operation
It is expected that all schools and work sites will have a functioning structure for cooperative decision making by September 1996. Some sites that already have cooperative decision making structures in operation, and after self evaluation, may move into step two of implementation. For those sites in the early stages of development, it is recommended that a facilitator be used to provide assistance in the development and ongoing evaluation of a successful cooperative decision making process. Sites that do not have a cooperative decision making process in place may use an existing group or groups to meet the cooperative decision making standards. Ongoing training of all stakeholders is a critical and necessary component of successful cooperative decision making.
The following steps detail a process for successful transition to cooperative decision making at all schools and work sites:
- Conduct a self assessment of critical attributes to determine readiness or effectiveness of operation using the questions in Section V., Standards for the Cooperative Decision Making Process.
- Prepare a school or site implementation program with defined time lines.
- Define a cooperative decision making governance structure. To implement a cooperative decision making process, sites may use existing committees, restructure existing committees, create a new entity, or any combination to meet the defined cooperative decision making standards for their site.
- Adopt and implement a scope and authority model (who will decide what).
- Develop method for selecting CDM participants.
- Plan and provide training for key stakeholders.
Examples and detailed descriptions of how sites have used cooperative decision making, appointed selected participants, and structured their process are described in the "Cooperative Decision Making Resource Book." The resource book also includes samples of operating rules, process descriptions, and membership structures of existing cooperative decision making systems. Copies of the resource book will be available in conjunction with the self assessment video that the Task Force will provide. (See page 7.)
Step Two: Implementation of Site CDM Plan
- Formalize goals and objectives.
- Continue training for stakeholders participating in the program.
- Revisit scope and authority model.
- Provide ongoing evaluation of program.
As the district moves toward the full implementation of a cooperative decision making process, schools/work sites will require support to understand how this process can best meet the needs of the school/work site. To provide this support, a team of trained facilitators will be made available to assist these schools/work sites. District employees, parents, and volunteers who have demonstrated an ability to provide positive leadership for the cooperative decision making process will be recruited as facilitators.
In addition to support and assistance from trained facilitators, there will be a process review to assess the effectiveness of CDM on a district wide basis. A coordinating committee will be structured to provide this process review.
A critical first step in implementing cooperative decision making in the district will be the identification of a CDM process at each school/work site. This report recommends providing support to participants of training and technical assistance. The Cooperative Decision Making (CDM) Task Force will produce an interactive video that will assist all schools/work sites in a self assessment to determine where they are in the process and what needs to be done. After viewing the video and completing the self assessment, schools/work sites will determine training needs and utilize their allocation from the CDM funds identified by the Board.
Schools and work sites will also receive a CDM Resource Book that will contain samples from other schools and districts, and a list of resources for assistance and support.
At the conclusion of each year, each school/site will be required to complete a form reporting on how assistance was used as well as the effectiveness of cooperative decision making efforts. The form will ask for signatures of each participant serving at the school/site. Read more.