South Kingstown Public Schools
interoffice memorandum
to: school
committee
from: Robert
Hicks
subject: strategic
plan update
date: 7/2/2004
cc: administrators,
town manager
Attached to this memo is
an update of the district’s strategic plan. It has been compiled over the
past month by the district’s administrative team and is designed to reflect
actions taken to implement the action plans developed in 2002 and point toward
future steps. For ease in reading,
the update maintains the format and language of the existing plan for each
action plan item, and, in the right side of each box, adds the update.
I would bring to your
attention the following summarization:
·
Action plans that
deal with the development of curricula (Strategy #1) have moved forward. Specifically, the adoption of performance
standards, improving communication and integration of curricula and
implementation of a standards-based instructional model, instituting a common
literacy assessment and development of a coaching model are notable. The challenge remains to continue this
development and ensure consistent implementation across schools and grades.
·
The increase in
professional development detailed in Strategy #2 shows progress. Specifically, policies and mechanisms that
are in place, an expansion of professional development models that are
available, middle level coursework, and fiscal analyses of professional
development expenditures. The challenge
remains to institutionalize professional development and to create additional
opportunities for schools to build activities into their schedules and
structures.
·
Strategy #3,
which is focused on community relations, has seen district action with respect
to CARES, Family Advocacy, community communications, and an expansion of relationships
though school-based actions. The
challenge remains to take the school-based outreach activities and make them a coordinated
district-wide effort.
·
The creation of
intervention and support services for students (Strategy #4) has been visible in
individual literacy plans for students (PLP’s), high school literacy
intervention, and extended day kindergarten.
Additionally, existing services have been focused and refined. The challenge remains to coordinate our
special and regular education interventions in an effective and efficient
manner.
·
To establish a district data management system
with benchmarks (Strategy #5) software was purchased and is in the final stages
of implementation. Training has been
underway throughout the installation.
The challenge remains to identify the data points against which to
measure progress. This process began in
the fall.
The following next steps are recommended to build on
the work of this update.
1.
The
2.
The
§
Necessary
revisions to the Strategic Plan
§
Progress on the
Strategic Plan
§
An assessment of
the district’s role in supporting school improvement based on the Department of
Education standards
STRATEGY #1 Develop and support rigorous and comprehensive
standards-based curricula
We will establish a school-community
environment with all stakeholders committed to a comprehensive standards-based
curriculum demanding high performance linked to our core beliefs
Action Plan #1:
To Implement a South Kingstown School Department Curriculum Pre-K-12 that is
horizontally and vertically linked and aligned to the State of
|
|
Action Steps |
Update |
|
1:1-1 |
Adopt New Standards-Performance Standards for K,1,2,3,4,8 10
English |
·
Performance standards have been adopted in anew curriculum in
English ·
Grade level (K-8) and grade span (9-12) expectations are
complete in English and mathematics and in planning in science and health ·
Standards-based grading has been developed in kindergarten, is
in process in primary grades and planned for middle/secondary grades ·
Rigorous and comprehensive curricula are complete in English,
nearing completion in mathematics, and planned in science and health. Social studies (and additional subjects)
are planned for years after 04-05. ·
Prospectively, consider expanding standards to include areas
within the RI Common Core of Learning (physical education, technology, fine
arts). |
|
1:1-2 |
Develop grade level expectation PreK~12 for all students, including
student with disabilities that are aligned with New Standards, nationally
developed subject Standards and State of |
|
|
1:1-3 |
Research and make recommendation for district-wide grading
system that relate to New Standards rubric. |
|
|
1:1-4 |
Develop and support a rigorous and comprehensive standards based
curricula demanding high performance from all student that provides a sound
core-knowledge and in-depth understanding of math, science, social studies,
English Language Arts and Health |
STRATEGY #1 Develop and support rigorous and comprehensive
standards-based curricula
We will establish a school-community
environment with all stakeholders committed to a comprehensive standards-based
curriculum demanding high performance linked to our core beliefs
high performance linked to our core beliefs
Action Plan #1:
To Implement a South Kingstown School Department Curriculum Pre-K-12 that is
horizontally and vertically linked and aligned to the State of
|
|
Action Steps |
Update |
|
1:1-5 |
Integrate into k-12 curricula, the arts, technology, school to career, community based learning opportunities and
acceptance of diversity. |
·
Integration of subjects is taking place through the following
steps: o
Graduation by proficiency regulations at the high school are
integrating performance skills across subject matter areas o
School-based coordinator brings school to career and community
based learning to high school o
Elementary laptop labs and professional development providing
integration with technology o
High School academies ·
Communication of standards, curriculum and assessment to
community: o
Superintendent’s
newsletter (implemented) o
School newsletters (partially implemented) o
School and district web sites o
Curriculum (with parent-friendly version) on web (implemented) o
Presentations at school committee meetings (most televised)
(implemented and ongoing) o
Parent forums planned for Fall of ‘04 |
|
1:1-6 |
Communicate standards, curriculum, and assessment to families
and community |
STRATEGY #1 Develop and support rigorous and comprehensive
standards-based curricula
We will establish a school-community
environment with all stakeholders committed to a comprehensive standards-based
curriculum demanding high performance linked to our core beliefs
Action Plan #2:
Implement standards-based
instructional model
|
|
Action Steps |
Update |
|
1:2-1 |
Teachers use a variety of teaching strategies, accommodation and
modifications to enhance student achievement |
·
Professional development to expand the use of diverse teaching
strategies, accommodations and
modifications, including: o
Differentiated instruction training (implementation varies by
site, future consistent implementation) o
K-5 Harcourt intervention implementation and training
(implemented and planned) o
Differentiation built into coaches’ preparation (planned) o
Training through the principles of learning (POL) ·
Performance based instructional measures: o
Personal literacy plans (PLP) implemented in 04-05 o
PLP computerized k-5 (04-05) o
Common elementary assessments o
ELA benchmark papers and common assessments in development o
High school end of course examinations in implementation and
development o
High school performance graduation standards developed during
04-05 |
|
1:2-2 |
Develop instructional evaluation measures and performance based
assessment for an curriculum area |
|
|
1:2-3 |
Implement Learning Plans for each student, which measure his/her
performance against grade level expectations and include necessary
accommodations, modifications and enhancements |
STRATEGY #1 Develop and support rigorous and comprehensive
standards-based curricula
We will establish a school-community
environment with all stakeholders committed to a comprehensive standards-based
curriculum demanding high performance linked to our core beliefs
Action Plan #3: Every child in SK reading
proficiently by end of 3rd grade
|
|
Action Steps |
Update |
|
1:3-1 |
Implement summer literacy program (K-8) |
·
Literacy integrated into redesign of ESY program for special
education ·
Regular education students placed in ESY on a space available
basis ·
Common literacy assessments in place K-5 and selection of of tool being made in 6-12 ·
There are elements of family literacy in place in schools, but
no district-wide program. ·
A Family Literacy grant was submitted in collaboration with
SC-CAP, but not funded. |
|
1:3.2 |
Implement district grade level literacy diagnostic assessment |
|
|
1:3-3 |
Develop family literacy program |
STRATEGY
#1 Develop and support rigorous and
comprehensive standards-based curricula
We will establish a school-community
environment with all stakeholders committed to a comprehensive standards-based
curriculum demanding high performance linked to our core beliefs
Action Plan #4: Students not reading proficiently after
grade three will receive intensive instruction in reading
|
|
Action Steps |
Update |
|
1:4-1 |
Hire reading coach to develop strategies and to train teachers |
·
Rather than hire additional coaching personnel, coaching roles
are being established for existing literacy staff. ·
A three-tiered model was developed with classroom intervention,
supplemental support, and intensive instruction. ·
The high school literacy support model will be implemented in
grade 9 in 04-05 and grade 10 in 05-06 |
|
1:4-2 |
Development and Implementation of literacy competence support
and sustain program |
STRATEGY #1 Develop and support rigorous and comprehensive
standards-based curricula
We will establish a school-community
environment with all stakeholders committed to a comprehensive standards-based
curriculum demanding high performance linked to our core beliefs
Action Plan #5:
Investigate and develop alternative educational programs for all kids, which
accommodate different learning styles and are available during the school day
or as an extended school day/school year.
|
|
Action Steps |
Update |
|
1:5-1 |
Implement the EXCEL Project |
·
EXCEL was implemented in 02-03, but eliminated due to funding
constraints |
STRATEGY #1 Develop and support rigorous and comprehensive
standards-based curricula
We will establish a school-community
environment with all stakeholders committed to a comprehensive standards-based
curriculum demanding high performance linked to our core beliefs
Action Plan #6: Identify a set of outcome measures to
evaluate Action Plans 1-5
|
|
Action Steps |
Update |
|
1:6-1 |
Implement mechanism to assess Action Plans 1.5 |
·
Action plan assessment is undertaken through report to the
School Committee |
STRATEGY #2 To actively involve all staff in
professional development with the goal of improving student achievement
We will establish a school-community
environment dedicated to life-long learning linked to standards based
curriculum, and an understanding of how learning is acquired and measured.
Action Plan #1: To develop district policies and
procedures for professional development
|
|
Action Steps |
Update |
|
2:1-1 |
Establish clearly written and communicated district and school
based policies for professional development for certified and
paraprofessional staff that support district standards driven initiatives |
·
Professional development funds are allocated to schools and the
district ·
District allocations are made available to all schools ·
Implementation costs of the Principles of Learning (IFL) are
paid through district allocations to assure equal access ·
The Article 31 process provides each school with the ability to
determine if additional professional
development days are its priority ·
The district professional development team was re-established
and meets to review and plan activities |
|
2:1-2 |
Ensure that professional development opportunities are equal
across the district without reducing current levels |
|
|
2:1-3 |
Establish procedures for requesting and utilizing professional
development days beyond contractual allowance |
|
|
2:1-4 |
Re-establish district professional development team |
|
|
2:1-5 |
Create a mechanism for an annual review of professional
development priorities |
STRATEGY #2 To actively involve all staff in
professional development with the goal of improving student achievement
We will establish a school-community
environment dedicated to life-long learning linked to standards based
curriculum, and an understanding of how learning is acquired and measured
Action Plan #2: To increase the active involvement of
all staff in high quality professional development.
|
|
Action Steps |
Update |
|
2:2-1 |
Establish individual professional development plans that are
aligned with building School Improvement Plans and District Strategic Plans |
·
Individual professional development plans are developed in
accordance with contractual provisions ·
The following professional development models are in place or
planned (as noted): o
Grade level meetings for school and district (in place) o
Coursework (in place) o
Release time (in place) o
Summer institutes (in place) o
Coaching (in place and planned) o
Book study groups (in place) o
Critical friends groups (planned) o
Learning walks (initiated and planned) o
Externships (implemented) o
Looking at students work (planned) o
Teacher-Support Team (formerly CAST) |
|
2:2-2 |
Expand the formats of professional development delivery to include
but do not limited to: a. Release time b. Summer institutes c. Internships d. site/in-class training and coaching e. grade Ievel sessions/work teams f. team
involvement, e.g. SIT, CAST others as references to current "best practices"
Resource: Journal of Staff Development, etc. |
STRATEGY #2 To actively involve all staff in
professional development with the goal of improving student achievement
We will establish a school-community
environment dedicated to life-long learning linked to standards based
curriculum, and an understanding of how learning is acquired and measured.
Action
Plan #3: Provide professional development to support the action plans of
the South Kingstown District Strategic Plan, with training specific to all new
and continuing educational initiatives
|
|