School District Policies
State and local policy are critical to the goals, structures, and practices of public schools. They guide priorities, provide direction, and set parameters. Local district policy can especially help support and sustain a school district’s continuous improvement efforts. These local policies comprise the procedures, positions, aspirations, and guidance that a local school board approves and to which schools are held accountable.
When beliefs, aspirations, commitments, and practices are adopted in policy, they are protected from staff turnover and sudden changes in a school or district. In addition to protecting practices, commitments, and visions, policy can also amplify them and accelerate their implementation. A policy can be written so that it encourages continued or expanded investment in best practices. Policy can also play a role in achieving educational equity, as well as hold local leaders and even the school board itself accountable for maintaining and funding the practices, structures, and commitments that have been passed by the school board.
What follows are a host of policy resources intended to help educators examine how their districts and schools are ensuring that the best equitable goals, guidance, and practices are secure, codified, and implemented.
These tools are intended for educators to use as they design, critique, and refine summative assessments aligned to a proficiency-based learning system.
Local District Policy Primer
This tool focuses on explaining local district policy—what it is, how it supports school and district improvement, and how it is created.
Accessing and Understanding Local District Policy
This tool focuses on the steps you can take to find and understand specific local district policies.
The following policy exemplars—all addressing issues of educational equity—are the products of examining, excerpting, and rewriting local district policies from public school districts nationwide and are presented here as a starting point for consideration, review, editing, and adoption.
Exemplar Policy: Educational Equity
An exemplar policy for educational equity. State agencies, nonprofit organizations, districts, and schools may use or adapt this policy for noncommercial purposes in the public interest.
Exemplar Policy: Educational Philosophy
An exemplar policy for educational philosophy. State agencies, nonprofit organizations, districts, and schools may use or adapt this policy for noncommercial purposes in the public interest.
Exemplar Policy: Instructional & Library Materials Selection
An exemplar policy for instructional and library materials selection. State agencies, nonprofit organizations, districts, and schools may use or adapt this policy for noncommercial purposes in the public interest.
Exemplar Policy: Controversial Issues
An exemplar policy for teaching and learning about controversial issues. State agencies, nonprofit organizations, districts, and schools may use or adapt this policy for noncommercial purposes in the public interest.
The following policy exemplars— addressing issues such as grading and reporting—are the products of examining, excerpting, and rewriting local district policies from public school districts nationwide and are presented here as a starting point for consideration, review, editing, and adoption.
Exemplar Policy: Grading & Reporting Systems
An exemplar policy for grading and reporting systems. State agencies, nonprofit organizations, districts, and schools may use or adapt this policy for noncommercial purposes in the public interest.
Exemplar Policy: Academic Recognition
An exemplar policy for academic recognition, to include Latin honors and grade point averages. State agencies, nonprofit organizations, districts, and schools may use or adapt this policy for noncommercial purposes in the public interest.
Exemplar Policy: Academic Eligibility
Exemplar policies for academic eligibility—one for standards-based GPAs and one for course completion. State agencies, nonprofit organizations, districts, and schools may use or adapt this policy for noncommercial purposes in the public interest.
Exemplar Policy: Transcripts
An exemplar policy for transcripts. State agencies, nonprofit organizations, districts, and schools may use or adapt this policy for noncommercial purposes in the public interest.
School Profile Exemplar
An exemplar of a school profile. State agencies, nonprofit organizations, districts, and schools may use or adapt this policy for noncommercial purposes in the public interest.
School Transcript Exemplar
An exemplar of a school transcript. State agencies, nonprofit organizations, districts, and schools may use or adapt this policy for noncommercial purposes in the public interest.
The following policy exemplars— addressing topics such as graduation requirements and multiple pathways—are the products of examining, excerpting, and rewriting local district policies from public school districts nationwide and are presented here as a starting point for consideration, review, editing, and adoption.
Exemplar Policy: Graduation Requirements
An exemplar policy for graduation requirements. State agencies, nonprofit organizations, districts, and schools may use or adapt this policy for noncommercial purposes in the public interest.
Exemplar Policy: Multiple Pathways
An exemplar policy for multiple pathways. State agencies, nonprofit organizations, districts, and schools may use or adapt this policy for noncommercial purposes in the public interest.
Exemplar Policy: Early College & Dual Enrollment
An exemplar policy for dual enrollment and early college. State agencies, nonprofit organizations, districts, and schools may use or adapt this policy for noncommercial purposes in the public interest.
Exemplar Policy: Demonstrations of Learning
An exemplar policy for demonstrations of learning, to include exhibitions, portfolios, and capstones. State agencies, nonprofit organizations, districts, and schools may use or adapt this policy for noncommercial purposes in the public interest.
Exemplar Policy: Academic Support
An exemplar policy for academic support, to include interventions and extensions. State agencies, nonprofit organizations, districts, and schools may use or adapt this policy for noncommercial purposes in the public interest.
These policy-related resources are designed for school and district personnel who, while not formal policymakers, still play a significant role in bringing the voices of students, parents, caregivers, family members, and community members to the process of making local district policy.
Video Introduction
Getting Started With a Policy Process
This tool focuses on the foundational practices and strategies necessary to guide you in developing a community engagement policy.
Exemplar Policy: Community Engagement
An exemplar policy for equitable community engagement. State agencies, nonprofit organizations, districts, and schools may use or adapt this policy for noncommercial purposes in the public interest.
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