LEGISLATION AND THE PRINCIPAL
"KNOW WHAT YOU DON'T KNOW AND FIND OUT HOW TO KNOW IT"
COMMONLY USED LEGISLATION THAT PROTECTS STUDENTS, STAFF, AND PARENTS
The group's discussions with Principals yielded the following commonly used legislations, regulations, and policies.
2. Teacher Collective Agreement
Reflections about our conversations with our Principals revealed that we can't possibly know all the legislations by heart and that it is very important to know "how to know what you don't know". The application of various legislations are context dependent and would differ from school to school. Principals are required to "protect the students, staff and parents" and to ensure a respectful, safe and welcoming environment. Effective leadership that is relational in nature encourages strong relationships between stakeholders in education. Courageous conversations between groups may result in a more limited application of some legislation (e.g. Safe Schools Act and OHRC) if knowledgeable, relational leaders apply policies, regulations, and legislation effectively (e.g. progressive discipline).
Various Legislations and their significance to the Role of the Principal
How can the Principal ensure she or he is well informed of applicable Education Legislations, Policies, and Regulations?
Sources of Information for the Principal
- Course work and assignments in the PQP courses
- Conversations with Principals and Supervisory Officers
- Searching online for content (legal document online sites, Ontario Principals Council)
- Hard copies of the legislation
- Board representatives
- Lawyers
- Mentoring program with an administrator or colleagues within the Family of Schools