Policies to Lead the Schools

Policies to Lead the Schools ("PLS") is a web-based policy reference manual developed by NCSBA. It provides to local boards of education a resource of up-to-date, legally compliant sample policies. PLS contains:

• sample required policies;
• sample policies that establish board goals;
• sample policies that set standards and establish means of accountability;
• annotations that further explain the policies, suggest alternatives and identify where the policies can be modified to reflect local board and school system practices;
• extensive legal references to state and federal laws, regulations and guidelines to enable the board, staff and board attorney to conduct further research on the subject of the policy; and
• a clear numerical codification system.

PLS has multiple functions. It can be used as a reference for legal and policy issues; as a source for model policies; and as a base to revise a full policy manual.

PLS is available on the Internet to best serve the policy needs of school systems. PLS uses a Folio® Infobase that allows searching for complex terms, links to legal authorities, and downloading into a word-processing format. PLS is password-protected for use by subscribing school systems.

PLS Update Service

PLS Update Service is an annual subscription service providing policies that update the PLS manual to reflect changes in legal requirements or educational trends. When appropriate, commentary on the relevant legislation or other legal standard underlying the sample policy and a copy of the legislation, rules or case law also are provided.

PLS Update Service is available on the Internet and includes the policies in a downloadable, word-processing format as well as a strikeout version showing modifications to policies.

Pricing Information

Policies to Lead the Schools One-Time Fee: $2500 – includes the following:

• 1 Policies to Lead the Schools manual (on the Internet, including the ability to download policies into a word-processing format)
• 1 subscription to all issues of the PLS Update Service for the subscription year.

(Continued access after the first year requires an annual subscription to the PLS Update Service.  For boards that prefer not to continue with the PLS Update Service, we will provide a CD-ROM of the current manual at the end of the subscription year.)

2009 PLS Updates Fee: $550 – includes the following:

• 1 subscription to all issues of the PLS Update Service for the subscription year in a downloadable format.

For more information about Policies to Lead the Schools, contact Allison Schafer, NCSBA Director of Policy/Legal Counsel.