The Most Effective Boards Don't Just Evaluate Their Leaders—They Evaluate Themselves
Recent news about the Superintendent/Governing Board challenges within Denver Public Schools has caught my attention, particularly the superintendent's note that the governing board had not conducted regular board self-assessments as required by policy.
While every board faces unique challenges, this serves as an important reminder of a practice that is often overlooked: the most effective boards don't just evaluate their leaders; they evaluate themselves.
The strongest governing boards don't assume they're functioning effectively simply because meetings are running or decisions are being made. They intentionally pause to reflect, identify opportunities for growth, and continuously improve how they govern.
Board self-assessments are one of the most valuable tools for strengthening governance. They help boards celebrate what's working, identify blind spots, and establish meaningful goals for improvement. At a minimum, boards should engage in a formal self-assessment annually, though there are several approaches depending on the board's needs, available time, and desired level of support.
1. The Quick Check-In: Plusses and Deltas
Time: 5–20 minutes
Frequency: After each board meeting
This simple reflection protocol requires no special tools and encourages continuous improvement after every meeting.
How it works:
Draw a line down the middle of a sheet of chart paper (or project a shared document).
Label one column "+" (Plusses) and the other "△" (Deltas).
Ask board members to identify:
Plusses: What worked well? What should we continue doing?
Deltas: What could we improve next time? Frame these as constructive, action-oriented suggestions.
Agree on one or two improvements to implement at the next meeting.
Small adjustments made consistently can significantly improve board effectiveness over time.
2. The Annual Self-Evaluation Survey
Time: Approximately 30 minutes per board member, plus 60-90 minutes for full board discussion
Frequency: Annually
A formal self-evaluation allows board members to reflect individually before examining the board's collective effectiveness.
How it works:
Board members complete an online self-evaluation survey.
Survey responses are compiled to identify trends and patterns.
The board reviews the results during a meeting or retreat.
Members discuss strengths, identify priority growth areas, and establish governance goals for the coming year.
This process helps move conversations beyond individual opinions and toward data-informed improvement.
3. The External Board Functional Assessment
Time: Comprehensive assessment over several weeks
Frequency: Every 2–5 years or during significant transitions
Boards seeking deeper insight often benefit from an external assessment conducted by an experienced governance consultant.
An external assessment typically includes:
A board self-assessment survey
Review of key governance documents
Interviews with the board chair and school leader
Observation of governance practices
The consultant then synthesizes the findings into a comprehensive governance report and improvement roadmap, helping the board prioritize recommendations, establish measurable goals, and monitor progress over time.
This approach is particularly valuable during strategic planning, leadership transitions, charter renewal, or periods of significant organizational growth.
Continuous Improvement Is Good Governance
There is no single "right" way to evaluate a governing board.
Some boards benefit from quick reflections after every meeting. Others rely on annual surveys, while some invest in comprehensive external assessments every few years.
Strong organizations don't happen by accident. They are led by boards willing to ask themselves the same question they ask their executive leaders:
How can we become even more effective than we are today?
— Dr. Kia Murray
