The ASBA conducts quantitative and qualitative research about emerging issues in education and topics of interest to school boards. These reports document this research.

On-ramp to community engagement in public education

Recommendations: ASBA Community Engagement Task Force
This report details nine recommendations aimed at deepening school boards’ understanding of and participation in active community engagement.
Print version (PDF–1.94M)
Published August 2012

Governance in Transformation: Alberta School Board Chairs' Perspectives

Reprinted from the Canadian Journal of Nonprofit and Social Economy Research this study looks at school board chairs’ perceptions of governance transformation being brought about by legislative changes including  five proposed dimensions of governance
Print version (PDF–344K)
Published Spring 2012

Ensuring First Nations, Métis and Inuit Student Success
Leadership through Governance

This report examines some of the key issues surrounding the education of First Nations, Métis and Inuit students and proposes a governance framework that school boards can use to improve student results.
Report
Print version (PDF–2.5MB)
Published November 2011

Interviews with School Board Chairs - Perspectives on Governance

Research paper: How school board chairs perceive governance
Print version (PDF–225K)
Published May 13, 2011

Trends in trustee compensation

Based on a survey of school boards this report outlines compensation practises for Alberta school boards.
Print verson (PDF–111K)
Published April 12, 2011

Improving High School Completion: Alberta School Board Perspective

Based on a survey of school boards this report identifies promising practices school boards are using to improve high school completion rates
Report
Print verson (PDF–1.4M)
Published June 2010

Resolving Alberta’s School Infrastructure Deficit: School Boards Input Toward Solutions

School boards suggest cost-free changes to fix the gaps in Alberta’s school infrastructure system
Report
Print version (PDF–1.1MB)
Published March 2010

Educational Choice for Albertans

History and implications
Report
Print version (PDF–184K)
Published February 2009

Building Together – It’s time to act

A look at infrastructure issues facing Alberta school boards
Report
Print version (PDF– 369K)
Published June 2009

Exploring school board governance

School board governance: A contented oyster never made a pearl (PDF–369K)
Executive summary (PDF–127K)
Published June 2009
School board governance: The changing role of school boards (PDF–179K)
Executive summary (PDF–129K)
Published June 2009
School board governance: Challenging education governance (PDF–138K)
Published June 2009
The Challenges of school board goverance: Jamie Vollmer (Video)
Presented June 2009

Summary Report: Summit on Public Involvement in Public Education

Albertans talk about how school boards can encourage more public involvement in public education
Report (PDF–150K)
Published April 2009

Research summary of public perceptions

Results of research into how Albertans perceive school boards and public opportunities for involvement in public education
Report (PDF–177K)
Published March 2009

Fair Bargaining for a Better Future

School board views of the 2008 Memorandum of Agreement and three options for bargaining with teachers in the future
Report
Print version (PDF–158K)
PowerPoint (PDF–227K)
Published September 2008

At the breaking point: Alberta’s student transportation system

Report
Print version (PDF–348K)
Published June 2008

Small urban boards study

A look at eight issues facing Alberta’s small urban boards
Report (PDF–354K)
Published September 2006

Metro school boards study– Part 2

A look at the four metro school boards relationship with the ASBA
Report (PDF–260K)
Published September 2006

Missing the mark – Funding shortfalls in Alberta's public education system

Report
Print version (PDF–283K)
Executive summary (PDF–105K)
Published June 2006

Missing the mark –Alberta's school building deficit

Report
Print version (PDF–154K)
Executive summary (PDF–98K)
Published June 2006

How to improve Alberta's high school completion rates – Insights from Alberta's school trustees

Report (PDF–79K)
Published February 2006

Metro school boards study – an analysis of the impact of the renewed funding framework

A look at the issues facing Alberta’s four largest school boards
Report (PDF–328K)
Published May 2005

Trustee perspectives: Practices and processes to support a) school councils providing meaningful input; b) recruiting community members; and c) developing umbrella groups

Report (PDF–310K)
Published January 2005

The funding and costs of Plant Operations and Maintenance in Alberta’s schools

Report (PDF–115K)
Published March 2005

Final recommendations: 2004 Organizational Review

Report (PDF–75K)
Published December 2004

Technical Report: Students are our Bottom Line

How school boards can use accountability reporting and data-based decision-making to improve results for students
Report (PDF–2.66 MB)
Published June 2004

The energy costs of operating Alberta's public and separate schools –1998/99 to 2002/03

Report (PDF–74K)
Published May 2003

Shaping Young People Into Good Citizens: A public consultation

Report (PDF–208K)
Published 2001

Success stories: Promoting active citizenship in Alberta schools

Report
Published 2001

Small Rural Schools: A policy perspective

Report (PDF–207K)
Published December 2001

In the Balance: Meeting special needs within public education

Report (PDF–437K)
Published September 1997