A school council is a collective of parents, teachers, principals, staff and community representatives that supports and enhances student learning. School councils provide a way for members of the school community to provide advice to and consult with the principal, and to advise the school board on education matters.

A school council works to promote the well-being and effectiveness of the entire school community with the goal of enhancing student learning.

The Alberta School Act and the School Councils ­Regulation describe the makeup and function of a school council. Although the act states that the majority of a school council shall be parents of students enrolled in the school, each school council must also consist of the principal of the school and at least one teacher at the school and, if the school has a senior high program, at least one senior high student.

The Alberta School Councils’ Association (ASCA) is the provincial association representing parents on school councils; it provides services and supports to enhance school council effectiveness and presents the parent perspective at the provincial level to government and partner organizations in public education. Nonparents on school councils are represented by other provincial associations.

School councils build mutually beneficial relationships, and create communities of learning and support for unique school cultures to maximize student ­potential. Striving for improved ­learning opportunities with a common goal, school councils represent the best in a preferred future for education.

ASCA works with education partners and government to promote excellence in public education, and promotes and supports strong school communities. ASCA believes that effective school councils facilitate collaboration among all education partners, including parents, and thereby ­enhance student learning.

For more information about the Alberta School Councils’ Association (ASCA), visit www.albertaschoolcouncils.ca.