(FRANKFORT, Ky.) -- With school council elections for parent and teacher members underway in many of Kentucky's public schools, the Kentucky Department of Education and the Kentucky Association of School Councils (KASC) are making available new information about school council training.
KRS 160.345 (the school-based decision making law) mandates that newly-elected school council members complete a minimum of six hours of training during the school year, while experienced members must complete at least three hours of training. The Department of Education provides preparation and endorsements for school council trainers, who then provide services to council members. Training focuses on legal guidelines, effective practices, methods to improve student achievement and performance and other council-related issues. This year, the Department of Education has contracted services through KASC to develop and support the delivery system for council member training.
New information about school council training includes:
- A revised list of trainers -- Those listed have preliminary endorsement and must complete a Trainers' Institute this spring. All are expected to receive final endorsement by mid-May. Schools may engage anyone on the list to meet their training needs.
- Training topics -- An updated curriculum will provide a range of opportunities for new and experienced school council members. The curriculum now includes descriptions of training workshops for members.
- Easy access -- Both the new curriculum summary and the revised trainers list are available for easy download here.
Online, interactive training also is available through the Kentucky Virtual High School (KVHS) delivery system. The online training is designed to offer flexibility for new and experienced council members and is facilitated by Tom Hiter, an endorsed school council trainer and consultant with the Commonwealth Institute for Parent Leadership. KVHS offers a group discount rate on basic council training.
CONTACT INFORMATION FOR COUNCIL MEMBERS AND SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS
- Council trainer listings: KASC trainers page, or (859) 238-2188 or training@kasc.net
- Online training through KVHS: toll-free at (866) 432-0008
- Training curriculum: KDE Council Development Branch, (502) 564-4201 or kdesbdm@kde.state.ky.us
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