ASBSD Board Learning Standards were developed in response to a new board development policy adopted by the ASBSD Board of Directors in March 2006. They represent a learning path based on the five "Emerging Understandings about the Role of School Boards" adopted in August 2006.

1. Board members understand school boards' place as governing bodies in our American form of government;
2. Board members understand the board's legal status and responsibilities, including compliance with federal, state and local laws (board policy);
3. Board members understand the policy development process.

Foundation Two: School boards can impact student achievement.
Standards:

1. Board members have a basic understanding of current research on the board's role in improving student achievement.
2. Board members understand the importance of the district's vision, mission, beliefs and goals.

Foundation Three: Learning and operating as a board team.
Standards:

1. Board members understand the concept of governance leadership teams.
2. Board members understand the importance of creating a board learning communities.
3. Board members have a basic understanding of data-driven decision making.
4. Board members understand meeting protocols and procedures.

Foundation Four: Understanding human resource systems and learning environments.
Standards:

1. Board members have a basic understanding of how to support human resource systems.
2. Board members understand their role in negotiations, hiring and terminations.
3. Board members understand and respect the chain of command within a schools system.
4. Board members understand the obligation to provide appropriate facilities, a safe environment, transportation, materials and time for learning.

Foundation Five: Building effective external relationships.
Standards:

1. Board members understand how to address citizen concerns during board meetings or outside of meetings.
2. Board members understand the importance of being an advocate for children and how to relate to different stakeholders.
3. Board members understand how to respond to questions from the media.

Foundation Six: Fiscal Responsibility.
Standards:

1. Board members understand basic school finance concepts, including the development and adoption of a fiscally responsible budget.
2. Board members understand how to monitor the fiscal health of the district.
3. Board members are aware of their responsibilities to ensure a fiscally responsible system.
4. Board members have a basic understanding of how the state school finance formula works.

Note: Currently, ASBSD has only developed indicators of progress and has not outlined learning standards for the GAVEL Masters program. Standards and content for the GAVEL Masters program will be developed after GAVEL Foundations is fully implemented.

• Focus One: Setting clear expectations for student achievement.
  
• Focus Two: Creating conditions to improve student achievement.
  
• Focus Three: Hold the system accountable to improvement.
  
• Focus Four: Create the public will to succeed.
  
• Focus Five: Learning and operating as a board/superintendent team.