Existence

Every District of Columbia public school must have a school advisory board. The No Child Left Behind law requires that Title I schools have a School Improvement Team. The new school advisory boards in all Title I schools will also serve as the School Improvement Team. This has been deemed acceptable and in keeping with the NCLB law by the DC Public Schools Office of Federal Grants.

Purpose

The purpose of a school advisory board is to advise the principal with the goal of creating and/or continuing to grow a school and school community that is focused on high expectations and high achievement for all students. Ideally, the school advisory board provides the principal with a range of smart thinking and diverse voices and perspectives. School advisory boards do not have to come to consensus as much as, with the principal, work through potential strategies and outcomes. Such valuable discussion and advice will enable principals to make the best decisions possible, ones that ensure the success of all students.