Creation of PGPs
Any group or individual interested in proposing PGPs for NAIS's board to adopt should send a brief proposal to mcgovern@nais.org. We will respond to each proposal within two weeks.
Revision of PGPs
In order to ensure that the NAIS Principles of Good Practice (PGPs) remain up-to-date and useful to our schools, the NAIS staff will review the PGPs using the guidelines below. PGPs are scheduled to be reviewed every five years.
As a matter of process, NAIS staff will be responsible for ensuring a set of PGPs is initially vetted by volunteers who are able to provide subject-appropriate feedback and counsel. Following this preliminary review, staff will prepare a cover note to the appropriate committee of the NAIS Board of Trustees explaining the PGPs' purpose and genesis and highlighting proposed changes. The board committee, in turn, will review the revised PGPs, suggest additional modifications, and/or recommend it to the full board of trustees for their adoption.
PGP Creation/Review Guidelines
When creating or reviewing PGPs, the committee should consider the following in its evaluation: Do the PGPs...
- Fulfill this definition? "The NAIS Principles of Good Practice for member independent schools define high standards and ethical behavior in key areas of independent school operations. They are designed to help guide independent schools to become the best education communities they can be."
- Clearly reflect principles rather than practice, knowing the NAIS establishes the principles and each school translates them into practice? (For example, a principle is "schools provide regular feedback to parents on the student's progress," while a practice is "schools send two-page, narrative comments home three times a year.")
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Address significant aspects of school operations where NAIS guidance is needed and would be useful to its members?
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Set principles that are challenging but attainable?
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Reflect the NAIS mission?
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Reflect the organization's overall vision and goals?
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Enhance schools' work?
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Focus on big-picture issues, not on process?
- Emphasize mutual responsibilities?
- Have a positive tone, avoiding preaching and scolding?
- Convey, in a succinct and articulate manner, a principle?
- Use bias-free language?