SCHOOL-BASED MANAGEMENT

School-based management (SBM) is a strategy that provides principals, teachers, students, and parents greater control over the education process by giving them responsibility for decision-making.

Through the involvement of teachers, parents, and other community members in key decisions, SBM can create a more effective learning environment for children.

SBM allows competent individuals in the schools to make decisions that will improve learning; give the entire school community a voice in key decisions; focus accountability for decisions; redirect resources to support the goals developed in each school; and improve morale of teachers and nurture new leadership at all levels.

From the beginning, the school board and superintendent must be supportive of school-based management. They must trust the principals and councils to determine how to implement the district’s goals at the individual schools.

Training in such areas as decision-making, problem solving, and group dynamics is necessary for all participating staff and community members, especially in the early years of implementation.

To meet the new challenges of the job, principals may need additional training in leadership skills.

The SBM must also have the strong support of school staff and is more successful if it is implemented gradually. School and district staff must be given administrative training, but also must learn how to adjust to new roles and channels of communication.

--oOo— The author is Teacher III at Sulipan Elementary School