Shared Decision Making
1. What is it? Shared Decision Making is when school staff and members of the school community are involved in making decisions. It is believed that those people closest to children are the ones who will make the best decisions that will affect the children’s education. Those involved in carrying out the decisions should also be involved in determining those choices. Shared decision making provides an opportunity for members of a school community to collaborate to solve problems, define direction for the school, or shape a course of action in an atmosphere of trust and understanding.
2. What is the purpose of Shared Decision Making? The purpose of shared decision making is to improve student learning through both the instructional program and support services. SDM should increase staff commitment to improve school effectiveness and ensure that increasing student learning is always the main goal. Everyone who is a part of the decision-making process should also be held responsible for the results.
3. What are some guidelines for successful shared decision making?
4. How can we make sure small groups share in the decision making? Members of the group should make sure to listen to the minority point of view respectfully. Commitment should be made to include the views and ideas of the minority in the final decision. If the final decision goes against those views of an individual or minority group, the decision should take into account research, discussion, and evaluation, and have support from a large amount of the school community.
5. Can the school administrator make the final decision if the group cannot come to consensus? Yes, but it is best for the administrator to make an “interim decision” while the group continues to work out a consensus decision.
6. What is consensus? Consensus is when a group of people work cooperatively to make a decision they can support. “Pure consensus” is when a group of people work together to agree to support a decision even though it may not be their personal first choice. It is important that before a group begins to work toward consensus that they define what consensus means.
Ideas used from “Shared Decision-Making.” ERIC Digest, #87, “School-Based Shared Decision-Making,” Institute for Educational Leadership, Dave Else, Director.
2. What is the purpose of Shared Decision Making? The purpose of shared decision making is to improve student learning through both the instructional program and support services. SDM should increase staff commitment to improve school effectiveness and ensure that increasing student learning is always the main goal. Everyone who is a part of the decision-making process should also be held responsible for the results.
3. What are some guidelines for successful shared decision making?
- Start small. Choose one uncomplicated issue to begin with, and then slowly add on issues that are more complex.
- Agree on specifics at the beginning. Decide how decisions will be made (by majority or consensus vote), and who will make final decisions.
- Clearly state procedures, roles, and expectations. Group members need to understand the steps and procedures they are to follow.
- Everyone should be invited to participate and give opinions and ideas.
- Build trust and support. Get to know one another, and value everyone.
4. How can we make sure small groups share in the decision making? Members of the group should make sure to listen to the minority point of view respectfully. Commitment should be made to include the views and ideas of the minority in the final decision. If the final decision goes against those views of an individual or minority group, the decision should take into account research, discussion, and evaluation, and have support from a large amount of the school community.
5. Can the school administrator make the final decision if the group cannot come to consensus? Yes, but it is best for the administrator to make an “interim decision” while the group continues to work out a consensus decision.
6. What is consensus? Consensus is when a group of people work cooperatively to make a decision they can support. “Pure consensus” is when a group of people work together to agree to support a decision even though it may not be their personal first choice. It is important that before a group begins to work toward consensus that they define what consensus means.
Ideas used from “Shared Decision-Making.” ERIC Digest, #87, “School-Based Shared Decision-Making,” Institute for Educational Leadership, Dave Else, Director.