What is a School Leadership Team?
The School Leadership Team (SLT) is a group of people who develop educational policies for their school. They also make sure there are resources to support those policies.
SLTs:
- Provide ongoing evaluations of a school’s educational programs and their impact on student achievement.
- Play an important role in school-based decision-making
- Help to make school cultures more collaborative.
Who are the SLT members?
There are three members of the school community who must be members of the SLT:
- Principal
- Parent Association/Parent-Teacher Association President
- United Federation of Teachers Chapter Leader
The other members are elected parents and staff members. The SLT must have an equal number of parents and staff.
An SLT can also include students (a minimum of two students is required in high school SLTs) and representatives from community-based organizations (CBOs) that work with the school. Students and CBO representatives do not count when determining whether a team has an equal number of parents and staff. The exact composition of a school’s SLT is stated in the team’s bylaws.
What is the role of an SLT?
- An SLT is responsible for developing a school’s Comprehensive Educational Plan (CEP). See the iPlan portal (Open external link)to find your CEP.
- An SLT makes a yearly evaluation of the principal’s record of developing an effective, shared decision-making relationship with the SLT members during the year. This evaluation is given to the community district or high school superintendent.
- The SLT is not responsible for the hiring or firing of school staff. However, according to Chancellor’s Regulation C-30, the SLT must be consulted prior to the appointment of a principal or assistant principal.
- Visit the SLT support site(Open external link) to get the toolkit, bylaws, training modules, and other resources.
How many people are on an SLT?
An SLT should have a minimum of 10 members, and a maximum of 17 members. The exact number of members on a school’s SLT is stated in the team’s bylaws. Regardless of the total number, the SLT must have an equal number of parents and staff members.
How do SLTs make decisions?
SLTs must use consensus-based decision making. In this type of process, all participants contribute to and help shape the final decision. By listening closely to one another, members come up with solutions and proposals that work for the group.
This approach is empowering because each member has the opportunity to influence team decisions. When all members are able to voice their opinions and concerns, they are more likely to stay invested in and connected to the work of the team. This sets the stage for greater cooperation and mutual respect.
What laws and regulations govern SLTs?
New York State Education Law Section 2590-h requires every New York City Public School to have a School Leadership Team. In addition, Chancellor’s Regulation A-655 (CR A-655) establishes guidelines to ensure the formation of effective SLTs in every New York City public school.
