Perceptions of Nebraska school board members about school improvement

Board of education members, who are responsible for local school governance, should know the local students\u27 needs and expectations. Yet, little information regarding school improvement has been collected from board members. The purpose of this case study was to describe the expectation for school improvement constructed from the perspectives of people who serve as members of the board of education. The primary questions answered by this study were: (a) What is the nature of school improvement? (b) What role should the local board of education have in developing and implementing school improvement? For this case study, purposive sampling was used to select six rural Class III school districts in Nebraska with enrollments of 200 to 600 students. A board member with five or more years of experience was selected from each of the six districts. Men and women were equally represented. Informant\u27s interviews were audiotaped. Informants reviewed transcribed copies to ensure accuracy. Board members defined school improvement as providing a more effective education for students. The board\u27s role was described as a supportive role, with the board relying heavily on school personnel to develop and implement school improvement. Board members expressed a need for training in boardsmanship. They expressed anger about unfunded state and federal mandates, teacher stagnation, the lack of equality in curriculum and educational costs across the state, and the misalignment of contractual and budgetary time lines. Board members also expressed concern that the legislature continues to diminish local control. School improvements described by board members were intended to create a more effective and efficient system. Such changes are known as first-order change and come from within the system. Board members did not, however, propose any changes in the design of the system (which the public expects, according to the literature). Such changes are known as second-order change and come from outside the system