New Alberta School Council Resource Manual launched
Resource manual supports parent involvement in child’s education
Edmonton... Alberta Education and the Alberta Home and School Councils’ Association (AHSCA) have released a new resource manual for parents and school communities. The new Alberta School Council Resource Manual is part of the School Council Development Program, which provides workshops and support to parents, school staff, trustees and others on the role and operation of school councils. School councils advise and consult with the principal and the school board on matters relating to the school.
“Parental involvement is vital to the continued strength of our education system, and parents play an important part in student success,” says Gene Zwozdesky, Minister of Education. “School councils are an excellent way for parents to be involved in their child’s education.”
The new manual was developed by Alberta Education and AHSCA. It is endorsed by education stakeholder associations – the College of Alberta School Superintendents (CASS), the Alberta Teachers’ Association (ATA), the Alberta School Boards’ Association (ASBA), the Association of School Business Officials of Alberta (ASBOA), and Alberta’s Regional Professional Development Consortia (ARPDC).
“AHSCA was delighted to lead this project,” says President Trina Boymook. “The manual is a wonderful tool for parents to assist with school council effectiveness. The best result for student success is achieved by working together, and this resource represents the efforts of all partners in education.”
The manual will be used by the volunteer instructors of the School Council Development Program, a program that assists in enhancing the effectiveness of school councils. The program offers four workshops (at no cost to participants) on:
- the roles and responsibilities of a school council;
- recruiting and retaining members;
- planning and reporting; and
- clarifying the roles of school councils and fundraising societies.
The manual is available online in English (http://www.education.gov.ab.ca/educationsystem/schoolcouncils.asp) or French (http://www.education.gov.ab.ca/french/m%5F12/p_admin/ressources.asp). Copies can also be ordered from the Learning Resources Centre, Edmonton, Alberta (780) 427-2767. The product number is 644030.
Alberta Education has provided a four-year grant to support the AHSCA and its School Council Development Program (SCDP). The SCDP provides training workshops, recruits and trains facilitators and supports school council members through a toll-free phone-in service.
