A policy consists of a statement of purpose and one or more broad guidelines as to how the purpose is to be achieved which, when taken together, provide a framework for the operation of the school or program. The guidelines specify in general terms, the kind of action which will or may be taken; they imply an intention and a pattern for taking action.A policy should only be established to achieve some purpose which reflects a set of beliefs, values or philosophy on the issue concerned. Not all issues require a policy; many routine matters can be dealt with by the formulation of simple procedures.
Policy matters are invariably associated with a combination of problems. A policy may be required where there is a diversity of interests and preferences which result in vague and conflicting objectives among those who are directly involved.
Policy may allow discretion in its implementation and the basis of that discretion may be stated as part of the policy.
This view on policy is illustrated in the sample policy on homework in Figure 7.1.
SAMPLE HOMEWORK POLICY Purpose:
Regular homework is a valuable aspect of the learning process and contributes to the development of sound study habits. Consistent with this belief, homework will be implemented according to the following guidelines.Guidelines:
1. Each child will be assigned homework in each subject on a regular basis.2. While the amount of homework will vary according to age and learning needs, every child will be assigned some homework on each day of the school week with at least two days per week assigned for each of language, mathematics and English
3. Teachers will be responsible for reviewing the homework assignment of each child.
Figure 7 1: Sample statement of policy on homework
Homework is clearly an issue of some substance in every school and warrants a written statement of policy to serve as a framework for action.
This sample policy implies a purpose as far as homework is concerned:
"Regular homework contributes to the development of sound study habits"
This statement reflects certain beliefs about the value of sound study habits and the contribution which homework can make to achieving them.
The three guidelines provided in the sample Homework Policy are intended to be mandatory as implied by the use of the term "will" in each case. They do not however specify how much homework will be given in language each day. This detail is inappropriate in a statement of policy.
A policy statement should rarely exceed one page in length and should be written in simple terms free of jargon.
A Good School Policy would:
- be based on a clear statement of a belief or purpose and arises from goals which have been adopted for the school.
- contain guidelines which provide a framework for achieving clearly stated purposes on a substantive issue.
- tell what is wanted of individuals in the school.
- tell why certain things are wanted of individuals in the school.
- provide a clear basis for the preparation and implementation of rules and procedures.
- provide positive direction for teachers and administrators, but does not and should not, prescribe methods for arriving at an end result.
- permit administrators and teachers to make interpretations in such a way as to adjust for changing conditions without making any basic changes in policy.
- provide a standard for evaluating performance.
- be a statement on a single issue.
- be written in a style which is readily understood by all members of the school community.
7.2 Benefits of Policy
- policies demonstrate that the school is being operated in an efficient and businesslike manner.
- policies ensure that there will be uniformity and consistency in decisions and in operational procedures.
- policies must be consistent with those for the system as a whole and with the various statutes which constitute school law. Policies add strength to the position of staff when possible legal actions arise.
- policies ensure that meetings are orderly. Valuable time can be saved when a new problem can be handled quickly and effectively because of its relationship to an existing policy.
- well written and constantly updated policies foster stability and continuity. Policies maintain the direction of the school even during constant change of administrators and teachers.
- policies provide the framework for school planning.
- policies assist in the assessment of performance and establish accountability.
- policies clarify functions and responsibilities.
7.3 Implementing Mandatory Policies
A number of documents exist on general education issues of high priority which are to be implemented across the school curriculum. The principal must ensure that all members of the school community are aware of mandatory policies and that support materials are available.
The text and listing of all policies within the education system is available on the Internet.
School policies are constantly being refined in the light of new government, department, community and school requirements.
Figure 7.3 lists some of the policies which have either been drafted or agreed upon to date.
It is the principal's responsibility to check current mandatory policy requirements.
Resources: Policy Statements for "Example Public School"
Examples of layouts of policies for a fictitious small primary school, developed as a guide for principals and for staff development and training, may be obtained on disk by contacting:
Tamworth Public School Ph: 02 6766 2016 Fax: 02 6766 2438
Figure 7.3 List of Policies
Aboriginal Education
Absences Staff
Accidents to Pupils ( Legal Issues Bulletin )
Accidents to Staff (Legal Issues Bulletin)
ADD
Ancillary Staff Enterprise Agreement
Animals in Schools
Annual Report
Anti Racism
Assemblies
Assessment and Reporting
Assets Register
Attendance - Roll Marking (instructions-inside cover)
Banking
Basic Skills Test
Bookwork
Casual Teacher
Child Protection Procedures
for Notification of Child Abuse
Child Protection - 1998
Code of Conduct-Revised 97/230-Includes Public Comment Personal & Professional Behaviour Discrimination & Harrassment Use & Security of Official Information Use of Official Facilities & Equipment Public Participation Personal Interests Outside Employment & Private Practice Post Seperation Employment Acceptance of Gifts & Benefits Notification of Corrupt Conduct, Maladministration, or Serious Waste of Public Money
Community Use of School Facilities
Computers in Schools
Conflict Resolution and Prevention - Teachers' Handbook
Controversial Issues in Schools - Revised Code of Conduct- 97/230
Copyright
Critical Incident - Teachers' Handbook
Drug Education
Employee Assistance Program
Enrolment
Environmental Education
Evacuation - Management of Serious Incidents
Excursion
Family Law and the School-Booklet (Departmental website
Financial Management - Financial Management Manual
First Aid - Occupation, Health & Safety Memo
Gender Equity
Gifted and Talented Students
Homework
Industrial Relations in Schools
Infectious Diseases
Integration - Enrolment of Children with
Disabilities in Regular ClassesInternet
Library
Multicultural
Non-Smoking in the Workplace
Nominated Transfer Procedures
OASIS - Financial Management Manual
Occupational Health & Safety - Teachers' Handbook
P & C
PD/H/PE
Performances in School ( Annual Publication & Notices in Personnel Bulletines )
Police in Schools
Presentation Day- You're Invited, a guide for organising events for NSW Gov.schools
Record Cards - Teachers' Handbook
Role of the Principal - Memo
School Accountability & Improvement -
School Audit
School Council
School Development Days
School Self-Evaluation - Annual Report
Special Education
Special Religious Education (SRE)
Sponsorship
Sport
Strikes/Stop Work Meetings - Procedures
Student Welfare - Discipline
Student Welfare - Good Discipline
& Effective Learning
Sun Protection
Supervision of Staff
Supervision of Students
Support Teacher Learning Difficulties
Suspension, Exclusion, Expulsion
Talking and Listening
Teacher Assessment Review Schedule
Training and Development Policy
Unauthorised Entry to School
Premises - Legal Issues Bulletin No 1
Variation of Routine - Memo
Voluntary School Contributions - MemoReferences :
Management of Serious Incidents - NSW Department of Education & Training
Code of Conduct ( Revised ) 97/230
Development Policy Teachers' Handbook - 1993
Family Law and the School 2nd Edition 1997
Legal Issues Bulletins Nos 1-11
The Complaint Handler's Tool Kit, NSW Ombudsman
You're Invited - A Guide to organising events for NSW Government Schools
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