The SMRT Alternative
San Miguel Revolutionizing Teaching
Our School Plan

San Miguel Statement

Research suggests that when parents, teachers and administrators put their minds together, they can produce school plans that are remarkable for the innovative ways in which they reflect the real needs of their community. Since November 1992 such a group has dedicated themselves to draft a school plan for San Miguel Community School. This plan is called "The SMRT Alternative."

The plan is a small step in the long journey ahead. With a leadership council made up of parents, teachers and staff administrators now in place the main objective is to participate in a shared decision making process to achieve mutually agreed upon goals that provide and outstanding, effective educational program for our children. This council is responsible for the core decisions that affect San Miguel. Curriculum and Instruction; Learning Environment; Communication and Resources are some of the areas that the Leadership Council concentrates on.

Each meeting is open to the public and each parent on the board is your representative. Please feel free to call any parent representative with questions or concerns you may have regarding school policies and other issues.

The success of this progressive plan depends on the active involvement of every parent.

What is shared decision making?

Shared decision making involves all those individuals with a stake in the outcome. In a school environment, those individuals are it's administrators, staff, parents and students; the outcome is a positive and productive school.

Shared decision making must be accompanied by the acceptance of responsibility and accountability for student learning by all involved parties. When a school is empowered by shared decision making, collaboration and teamwork are greatly improved and it will change the roles of administrators, staff members, parents and students. These relationships will become more enabling, supportive and empowering.

Shared decision making gives all those involved a stake in the outcome to share the responsibility and rewards