Board Member Selection: Aligning Mission and Core Values

In a recent I&P article, ISM recommended that schools consider adding “Core Values” to their Purpose and Outcome Statements because it is becoming more difficult for schools to avoid a core values position. There are several reasons for such a recommendation. They include protecting the school’s value perception, safeguarding the faculty culture, and assuring that institutionally agreed-on values, rather than individual values, are the public norm.

Board Orientation: Start Well

There is no doubt every private-independent school needs an engaged Board. As a nonprofit organization, the formation of a Board is an IRS requirement. “The Internal Revenue Service encourages an active and engaged board, believing that it is important to the success of a charity and its compliance with tax requirements. Governing boards should be composed of persons who are informed and active in overseeing a charity’s operations and finances.

Evaluating Success With Your Prospects and Donors

ISM has long advocated using the conceptual framework of the Comprehensive Development Model as a foundation for evaluating the effectiveness of development programs. Its six elements—the Strategic Board, Professional and Volunteer Leadership, Case for Giving, Prospects and Donors, Plan of Action, and Donor-Centered Programs—drive program excellence and success.

SUCCESSion Planning

Discover how you can plan for successful change, avoid pitfalls, and seize opportunities.

In today’s challenging employment environment, succession planning has become a vital part of organizational sustainability. Independent schools operate in unique ways that reflect the rich mosaic of skills, talents, styles, and passions of those who lead. But, despite the uniqueness of each school culture, there are universal do’s and don'ts when planning for succession for any role.

Focusing on Culture IS Focusing on Teaching

Discover the best way to confirm the effectiveness of your teachers’ methods.

Ensuring teacher effectiveness and student learning is essential to sustain your school’s primary purpose: education. For decades, school administrators have used classroom observation as their primary method of judging teachers’ success. These classroom visits, however, often force teachers to shift their practice to satisfy the observation protocol.