Portugal launched a major reform on school leadership in 2008, which established three councils in schools: the General Council (with representatives of school staff, teachers, parents and local authorities), which is in charge of operational and strategic planning and monitoring and selecting the school leader; the Pedagogical Council, which supervises and co-ordinates pedagogical activities; and the Administrative Council, which is responsible for administrative and financial matters. Conditions for granting of an autonomy contract include a school self-evaluation and receiving a positive external school evaluation. These contracts allow for greater autonomy in areas such as pedagogical organisation, curriculum organisation, human resources, school social support and financial management.