Two Structures of School Governance:
School Planning and Management Teams and
School Governance Councils
Presented by:
Shelia Brantley, M.A., NHPS District Comer Facilitator & Fay E. Brown, Ph.D.,
Associate Research Scientist, Yale Child Study Center
SLIDE 0
Introduction
Connecticut’s new school reform law (P.L. 10-111) requires that
schools that are among 5% of the state’s lowest performing, and
that failed to make Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) in math and
reading at the whole school level must have School Governance
Councils (SGCs). The intent of the Councils is to enable parents, the
principal, teachers, high school students, and community leaders to
work together to improve student achievement.
The School Planning and Management Team (SPMT), one of the
three structures that comprise the framework of the Comer Process,
develops the Comprehensive School Plan, sets academic, social, and
community relations goals, and coordinates all school activities,
including staff and parent development programs. As the
governance and management structure in the school, the SPMT is
considered as the engine that drives the school.
SLIDE 1
Composition
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School Planning and
Management Team
(SPMT)
Parents
Paraprofessionals
Administration
Teachers from each grade
level/discipline
Students
Union representative
Community partners
School Governance
Council (SGC)
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Parents or guardians: 7
Teachers: 5
Community leaders: 2
School principal or designee
(non-voting): 2
• Students (non-voting): 2
SLIDE 2
Two Structures of School Governance:
SPMT and SGC: Some Contrasts…
School Planning and
Management Team
(SPMT):
• All schools have a
SPMT or crossconstituency team
• Volunteers
• Decisions made by
consensus using nofault problem solving
approach
School Governance
Council (SGC):
• Low-performing
schools required to
form councils
• Members are elected.
• Decisions made by
voting.
SLIDE 3
Two Structures of School Governance:
SPMT and SGC
SPMT
• Analyzes different sets of
data across the school for
informed decision making
• Building Leadership Data
Team monitors School
Improvement Plan (SIP);
updates SPMT – specific
to the New Haven Public
Schools
SGC
• Analyzes school
achievement data and
school needs as they
relate to the school’s
improvement plan.
SLIDE 4
Two Structures of School Governance:
SPMT and SGC
SPMT
• Principal is a member of
the team; team engages in
shared decision making.
• Decisions pertaining to the
functioning of the school
are made in a collaborative
manner.
• Child and adolescent
development principles
and relationships are
foundational for decision
making.
SGC
• After three years the
council may
recommend school
reconstitution.
SLIDE 5
Two Structures of School Governance:
SPMT and SGC: Similarities. . .
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Serve in an advisory capacity.
Review budgets.
Analyze student achievement data.
Provide support for student success.
Provide professional development for parents and staff.
In New Haven: Assist with Parent Compacts in Title 1
schools; district surveys
SLIDE 6
For More Information
School Planning and Management Teams (SPMTs)
www.schooldevelopmentprogram.org/about/works.aspx
School Governance Councils (SGCs)
CT State Department of Education
www.sde.ct.gov/sde/cwp/view.asp?a=2678&Q=322630&sdePNavCtr=|454
Video of the November 29, 2010 Community Forum on SGCs
and SPMTs at Cooperative Arts High School in New Haven
www.youtube.com/watch?v=oxEmCN71fPQ
Dr. Judy Carson presentation (5:12 – 16:00)
Dr. Fay E. Brown and Shelia Brantley, M.A. presentation (16:00 - 29:00)
SLIDE 7