Abstract
This study attempted to answer these questions pursuant to California Assembly Bill 65, 1977. First, what is the training provided for School Site Council members? Second, what is the current and desired role of the School Site Council as perceived by participating parents, teachers, classified staff, community members, and the site principals in the decision-making process? Third, does the amount of training have any relationship to each individual's current or desired perception of their role? A questionnaire was developed by the researcher to acquire the data needed to complete the study. The items for the questionnaire were based on the role and responsibility of School Site Councils and recommended training for School Site Council members by the California Department of Education School Improvement Office. The questionnaire was sent to thirty-four schools randomly selected in San Bernardino County. This study found that the principals and teachers have received the most training in the ten areas recommended by the School Improvement Office. Parents and the classified school staff received the least amount of training. Teachers, classified staff, parents, and community members serving on School Site Councils, 43 percent perceive their current role as that of decision-maker. In contrast, 69 percent of the principals reported that they perceive their School Site Councils to be in same role. When asked to respond to the desired role held by School Site Council, teachers, classified staff, parents, and the community responded that 50 percent desire the role of decision-maker. The majority of principals, 77 percent, also responded that their desired role for School Site Council is to be decision-makers for the school site. Previous studies have concluded that training increases the quality of the decisions made by School Site Councils. However, this study found no relationship between the amount of training and the current perception of the desired role of School Site Council members. This study concluded that the individuals who participate on School Site Councils come to the council with a role which is predetermined and not affected by training.