Discussion+points

Discussion Points:
 * The role a parent council decides to undertake will be determined by its membership. Therefore, how can we, as educational leaders and managers, ensure parent council membership is diverse like the student body? How would you define an 'effective' parent/school council? If this is your current reality, indicate what makes it effective in your view. If this is not a reality at your school, indicate what steps you, as a leader, could take to remedy this situation?


 * It is suggested that training for parent council members assists in ensuring that they know their roles... should similar orientations/training exist for school leaders and teachers so they know their roles in these parent coucils?.


 * Has the role of parent/school councils evolved since their inception nearly 20 years ago? - In other words, have they developed into organizations that impact school improvement? Why or why not?


 * "Collaboration is strengthened through weaving the web of personal relationships. Community builders recognize that, as human beings, we need the opportunity to respond personally to each other, and, as importantly, to feel known and "seen" as valued community contributors" (Brown and Isaacs, 1994,p,516, as cited in McEwan, 2005, p. 89). When considering the management issue of school choice, how could a Parent or School Council enhance or impede the school culture that parents may or may not choose for their children?