As a School Community Council member, you can contribute to the education of students in your school. Education is a partnership involving parents, students, school staff, the Board of Education, businesses, and the community. Your involvement in the council gives you the opportunity to strengthen that partnership, and to be part of a dedicated team working to ensure a high quality and accountable education system for the children of Hawaii. Your participation can make a difference!

School Community Councils play a vital role in the education system in Hawaii. They provide a forum through which members of school communities can contribute to improving student achievement and school performance. Their purpose is to advise principals about matters that are intended to improve student achievement and enhance the accountability of the education system to the school community. School Community Councils are able to make recommendations to their principals on academic and financial matters. Principals, in turn, consult with School Community Councils on a variety of issues that affect student learning.

School Community Councils involve the community in the discussion of educational issues and help schools identify and respond to the educational needs of the community.

Benefits to members of a School Community Council include:

• learning about educational research and factors that impact student achievement;

• being an important partner in the education system, whose views are valued;

• contributing to the goal of improving student achievement;

• having a vehicle through which to express opinions; and

• being informed about what is happening at the school.

Participating on your School Community Council will be a rewarding experience and will give you the opportunity to make a difference in public education!