WASB Board of Directors adopted a new mission in 2006; fostering effective boardsmanship for student success.We are working to improve our governance programs and services to increase the effectiveness of school board leadership in Wisconsin.
As part of that effort, WASB is participating in a five-year Multi-State Lighthouse Research Project coordinated through the Iowa School Boards Foundation.The purpose of the study is to help school boards develop the beliefs and create conditions to provide leadership for student achievement.
The initial research identified the board's role in creating conditions and beliefs that were present in high achieving districts.We plan to build on and test the results of the 100 plus participating districts in multiple partner states over a five year period of time using the existing Lighthouse research. The findings of the original Lighthouse study are listed here.
Beliefs of moving districts
High expectations about what was possible for students
An understanding of what the district could do to improve student learning
The culture was conducive for high levels of success in student achievement
Seven conditions between stuck and moving districts
Support for School Sites through Data and Information—Using data and information on student needs to make decisions and modify actions at the district and building level
Continuous improvement—a continuous focus on improving education with high levels of involvement and shared decision making Ability to Create and Sustain Initiatives—an understanding of how to organize the people and the school environment to start and sustain an improvement effort
Supportive Workplace for Staff—a supportive workplace that enables all staff to succeed in their roles
Staff Development—regular schoolwide staff development that is focused on studying teaching and learning
Shared leadership—a focus on student learning through a shared clear vision, high expectations and a dynamic leadership among all levels
Community Involvement—a close connection between the school, parents and community
Five components of the role of the board
Set clear expectations Provide a blue print The goal is to have a systemic effect on student achievement
Hold the system accountable Adopt goals that will improve student achievement Address educational inequities Create provisions for assessing progress Ensure that the student achievement goals have been met Provide pressure and support
Create conditions so the work can succeed Reciprocity of accountability Equal and complementary responsibility to assure you have the capacity to what I am asking you to do
Create the public will to succeed
Learn as a board team
WASBLighthouseMulti-State Research Objectives:
Create statewide focus on student achievement
Enhance WASB services
Build stronger board/superintendent leadership teams
Participating Districts Objectives:
Create district wide focus on student achievement
Define and implement board/superintendent best practices
Understand and implement beliefs and conditions that improve student achievement
Lighthouse-Compass article.pdf 
