Most public school districts proudly display their mission statement. It usually is a carefully-worded, inclusive expression of the views of the school board; the administrative, instructional and non-instructional staff; parents; community; and sometimes students. It is often an expression of commitment. For example, the stakeholders commit the district to produce graduates who are prepared to compete in an ever-changing world. Is it possible, however, that this expression of commitment does not reflect the district’s true mission?
There is a difference between vision and mission, between intent and action. Vision is an expression of intent, it is what the stakeholders would like to see, their preferred future. Whereas mission is an expression of action, it is what the stakeholders do, their current reality.
When a school board, along with district stakeholders, express a commitment to a particular outcome, namely well-prepared students who can compete in an ever-changing world, then they are expressing their vision. It is an expression of their intent, what they hope to see, their preferred future. What then is the district’s mission?
Why do parents send their children to school? Although there may be many reasons, basically parents send their children to school to acquire a foundation upon which they can build their future. Parents expect the district to educate their children. Therefore, in response to parental expectations and in its most basic form, the district’s mission is to educate all students (all races, female, male, elementary, middle, secondary, regular, special education and alternative education). Note the present tense “to educate,” which means the school board, superintendent, and instructional and non-instructional staff educate students every day of the school year. Time not spent educating students is likely to be time wasted.
Educating students does not only mean academics. It also means fine arts, physical education, athletics, behavior, citizenship, work ethic, healthy practices, and many other important life skills as determined by the staff and approved by the school board in accordance with local mores.
In its governance role, the school board must lead by example and direct its energy to the district’s true mission. Is the school board meeting focused on educating students or does it become mired in non-essential trivia or controversy? Is board policy focused on how to better educate students? Does the board require the superintendent to keep it regularly informed on the district’s progress educating students? Does the board, through the superintendent, hold the administrators and staff accountable for educating students? Does the board advise parents and community on effective ways to support student learning?
Service on the school board can be a tough and time-consuming commitment. Although it can be positive, it also can be stressful. If one serves on the board, then one’s time should be well-spent. Is there a better way to spend one’s time on the board than to focus on educating students?
Perhaps the school board meeting agenda should include only items relevant to educating students. Maybe the superintendent should include a reference as to how a recommendation, if adopted by the board, will serve to better educate students. The board should focus on the district’s mission to educate students, and allow the superintendent to develop strategies to achieve that mission.
A well-constructed and carefully worded “mission statement” developed by an inclusive group of stakeholders and approved by the school board that is proudly displayed throughout the district may often be a wonderful statement of intent. A collective vision for what the district should accomplish. However, a statement as simple as “Our district educates students” can be a very powerful expression of the district’s mission. What is in your district’s mission statement?
