The shared decision-making process has now been under implementation in the Houston Independent School District (HISD) since 2001. This process was adopted to encourage empowerment and decentralization within the nation’s 7th largest district by providing greater control at the school/campus level.

Specifically, each HISD school is required by state and district policy to elect a Shared Decision-Making Committee (SDMC) to assist the principal with the development, review, and revision of a School Improvement Plan (SIP), which is designed to meet all of the needs of the students served by the school. The SDMC is authorized to work with the principals to:

1. Select methods to assess the academic achievement performance of all students;

2. Set campus performance objectives;

3. Identify how campus goals will be met by all students;

4. Determine the resources necessary to implement the SIP;

5. Identify staff needs and their role in the implementation of the SIP;

6. Set time lines for reaching the goals and objectives established in the SIP; and

7. Measure progress toward the performance objectives to ensure that the SIP is resulting in academic achievement.

The SDMC is also designated to be instrumental in the decision-making process in the areas of planning, budgeting, curriculum, staffing patterns, staff development, and school organization. The SDMCs are comprised of teachers, other school personnel (librarians, teacher aides, secretaries, etc.), parents and community members, and business representatives.