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Board approves CABE self-evaluation; consultant offered free administration and follow-up
Summary
The board approved administering the Connecticut Association of Boards of Education (CABE) self-evaluation tool and to return results for facilitated review; CABE representative Nick Caruso described the tool's research basis and the process for anonymous responses and aggregated results.
The Cromwell Board of Education voted to proceed with a board self-evaluation using the Connecticut Association of Boards of Education (CABE) tool and to invite CABE to tabulate and facilitate review of aggregated, anonymous results.
Nick Caruso, CABE’s associate executive director for field service and technology, told the board the instrument is grounded in research on effective boards and designed to prompt boards to align goals and governance practices with student achievement. “Boards of education that spent time challenging themselves and looking introspectively at how they worked were more effective,” Caruso said, summarizing the tool’s research basis.
Why it matters: Board self-evaluation is intended to identify governance strengths and weaknesses, align board work to strategic goals and inform future board development. Caruso emphasized the importance of the written comments that accompany ratings: aggregated comments help distinguish the meaning behind numeric scores.
Process and logistics: CABE staff offered to tabulate results at no charge as part of the district’s membership. Caruso described multiple submission options — paper, Excel and carefully managed electronic methods — and said results would be returned in an anonymous, aggregated report with charts and comment compilations. The board discussed timing and indicated an interest in completing evaluations within a few weeks to allow for an October or November review session.
Vote and next steps: Board member Lori made the motion to complete the CABE self-evaluation tool; Matt seconded and the motion carried. Board members asked for the option to ask CABE clarifying questions about particular items before completing the form and for paper or Excel submission formats to preserve anonymity in tabulation.
Taper: Staff will confirm the distribution method and deadlines, collect completed forms and schedule a facilitated review session once CABE processes the results.
