2013-2014 Albemarle County Public Schools School Improvement Plan KEY CHANGES THIS YEAR Three SIP Goals 1. Student Learning Goal (w/d2015 as strategy) 2. Climate/Culture Goal 3. PD Goal (Consider support of 1 st two goals, 7 Pathways, D2015, Digital Integration) New School Board Goal, Objectives, Strategies ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ This document contains: Division Goals and 2013-14 Board Priorities School Improvement Planning Timeline School Improvement Team Guidelines Reflective Questions for the SIP Process State of the School Guidelines Templates for SIP Goals
2 Horizon 2020 - Vision, Mission, and Values Unleashing each student s potential Our Vision All learners believe in their power to embrace learning, to excel, and to own their future. Our Mission The core purpose of Albemarle County Public Schools is to establish a community of learners and learning, through relationships, relevance, and rigor, one student at a time. Our Core Values Excellence We believe in meaningful learning that stretches people to the frontiers and boundaries of their abilities. Young People We believe young people deserve the best we have to offer. Each individual child is capable and has the right to safety, mutual respect, and learning. Community We believe in our collective responsibility to work together in a cooperative effort to achieve common goals by building communities of practice, establishing a high quality learning community, and listening to the community. Respect We believe in treating all individuals with honor and dignity.
3 Strategic Goal and School Board Priorities One Student- Centered Goal All Albemarle County Public Schools students will graduate having actively mastered the lifelong- learning skills they need to succeed as 21st century learners, workers and citizens. Objective 1 We will engage every student. 1.1 - Define, develop, and implement effective teaching practices that maximize rigor and meaningful engagement for all students. 1.2 - Develop a division- wide master framework for contemporary professional development and training that optimizes our workforce and addresses the essential competencies needed by teachers, administrators, and classified staff. 1.3 - Integrate the use of contemporary learning spaces and supportive technologies into the instructional program delivery. Objective 2 We will implement balanced assessments. 2.1 Define and communicate the Division s specific measures for mastery of lifelong- learning competencies and student success. 2.2 - Implement performance- based assessments/tasks and grading practices to create a balanced learning system that measures ACPS outcomes for student success. Objective 3 We will improve opportunity and achievement. 3.1 - Prepare all students for successful transition to the next grade in their PK- 12 experience. Objective 4 We will create and expand partnerships. 4.1 - Implement a comprehensive mentorship and internship program and expand field trip opportunities to provide real- world learning experiences for all students success. 4.2 Invest the full community in supporting student achievement and outcomes for all students success. Objective 5 We will optimize resources. 5.1 Ensure the health and safety of the school community. 5.2 Optimize the use of fiscal resources in support of the Division s strategic plan and operations. 5.3 Design the high school of the future. Horizon 2020 Strategic Plan 3.2 - Implement a robust, Division- wide PK- 12 World Languages Program.
4 General Guidelines for School Improvement Planning Purpose of School Improvement Plan (SIP) The improvement planning process provides a framework to ensure continuous improvement in each school and alignment with the vision, mission, goals, and values of the overall school division. Improvement plans are completed at the start of each school year by Division leaders to provide focus in planning for continuous improvement. They are updated on a quarterly basis using key performance indicators (KPIs) that demonstrate progress towards stated goals. Role of School Improvement Team The primary objective of the School Improvement Team (SIT) is to coordinate the development and implementation of the school s goals, objectives and strategies in support of student success and a positive school community. Within schools, principals work with their SIT to develop their improvement plan. The SIT s purpose is to support the school and the school division through the school improvement planning process. Improvement Planning Timeline 09/13/2013 Original SIPs Due 09/1-30/ 2013 State of the School Address Delivered 11/08/2013 Q1 Updates Due 01/31/2014 Q2 Updates Due 04/10/2014 Q3 Updates Due 06/20/2014 Q4/EOY Updates Due The entire school community needs to know the SIP. It is presented at the State of the School address and posted on the Division s Improvement Planning web site. Principals are responsible for submission of quarterly updates to improvementplanning@k12albemarle.org by the published due dates. These dates are communicated prior to the start of the school year and are recorded in the Division Outlook calendar. Due dates generally fall two weeks after the end of the 9-week grading period. Makeup of School Improvement Team The improvement planning process should include views from the larger school community. As such, the School Improvement Team (SIT) should include faculty, staff, and parent representatives. High schools should include a student representative. Community representatives are also encouraged. The School Improvement Team = ü Principal ü Teachers ü Staff ü Community ü Students (High School)
Goal Guidelines 5 The SIP should include three goals as follows: 1. Student Learning Goal** 2. Climate/Culture Goal 3. PD Goal (Consider how to support your first two goals, 7 Pathways, D2015, Digital Integration) **NOTE: The Student Learning Goal should reflect evidence of the Lifelong-Learning Competencies and include multiple measures beyond just SOL data. Please integrate D2015 as a strategy in support of your student learning goal.
6 Reflective Questions to Support the Improvement Planning Process Prior to Implementation How is the plan in alignment with the Vision, Mission, and Goals of the Division? How does the plan address specific Board Priorities? How does the plan address high priority school and student needs? How are the views of the larger school/department community represented in the plan? How does the plan represent an attempt to significantly improve the performance of all students? Is the plan clear, simply stated and concise? Is each objective written to reflect adequate progress that is substantive and measurable and allows the school room for growth? What data/gap evidence is used to support the proposed objective? What research-based proven strategies or action steps are identified for implementation? Are potential obstacles clearly identified? Are the performance measures clearly defined? During Implementation How is the implementation being monitored? Are midcourse corrections being identified as needed? How is the implementation process being documented? What is the evidence of the plan s implementation within the school building? How are the quarterly progress updates being communicated to the larger school community? What is the school leader personally doing to support the implementation? Upon Completion Has sufficient progress been achieved? What is the evidence of this? How will this year s data be used to identify needs and objectives for next year s plan?
7 State of the School Guidelines At the start of each school year, principals should deliver a State of the School address to parents and the community. The State of the School address should present the successes and challenges the school faced the previous school year. It is also an opportunity to share information about the faculty and staff, the school improvement plan, student achievement data, school climate, and other information people will be interested in knowing. It is the occasion to share the school s story with the school community and to set the tone for the year. Overview ACPS Vision, Mission, Goal, Objectives AND School core beliefs, motto, values: All children can learn to become effective learners and will be best prepared for life beyond school by doing authentic work projects that require the performance competencies described in the ACPS Lifelong Learner Skills in addition to mastering content knowledge. Student Characteristics Annual progress report data Staff Total staff by category: Administrators 2; Guidance Counselors 2; School Psychologist -1; Office Associates 3; Nurse 1; Media Specialist 1; Regular Education teachers 35; Intervention Specialist 1; Testing Coordinator 1; ESOL 1; Special Education teachers 7; Regular Teaching Assistant 1; Special Education teaching assistants - 7 Number of teacher FTE s: 34.03 (Regular Ed); 7 (SPED) Number of new teachers: 3 Attrition - retirement/other: 2 Teacher characteristics, experience, gender (M- 15, F 28); ethnicity ( Instruction Framework for Quality Learning (FQL) Lifelong Learner Standards (LLLs) Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) Bell schedule Class sizes Curriculum changes Other major changes Achievement Information 2012-13 Achievement data highlights and trends, using including comparison with County/State, as appropriate: High Schools o AP o SAT o # of students taking college level courses o Reading/Math SOLs
8 o Performance Tasks/Assessments o Progress on KPIs from 2012-13 School Improvement Plan Middle Schools o MAP Data o Reading/Mat SOLs o Performance Tasks/Assessments o Progress on KPIs from 2012-13 School Improvement Plan Elementary Schools o Math Literacy Profile Data o Reading Literacy Profile Data o Reading/Math SOLs o Performance Tasks/Assessments o Progress on KPIs from 2012-13 School Improvement Plan Climate Safe Schools/Healthy Students Data Climate survey Other community surveys Facility Building capacity Number of trailers Enrollment Renovation/Improvements (with cost) Budget Use of building allocations by major areas PTO contributions Unexpected needs/changes Unfunded needs Major changes Future budget considerations Volunteer Information Number of classroom hours from previous year Number of non classroom hours from previous year (Your PTO chairperson might assist with this) How to volunteer Improvement Planning School Improvement Plan Goals for 2013-14 Members of School Improvement Team Calendar Key dates in the life of the school (1 st PTO Meeting, First Concert, etc.) Communication Highlight parent resources including:
9 o School & Division web site o Parent Portal, Parent Council o School Newsletters o Blackboard Connect o Social Media Facebook, Twitter, YouTube General Information (Submit initial plan to ImprovementPlanning@k12albemarle.org by 9/13/2013) School Name: Sutherland Middle School Principal Name: David Rogers Members of School Improvement Team: Faculty: Emily Arico 8 th Grade Language Arts; Cheryl Harris 7 th Grade Language Arts; Dama Schneider Fine Arts; Carlee Shiflett Physical Education; Jay Smith 7 th Grade Math & Social Studies; Andrea Walkup Special Education; Lisa Wright - Guidance Staff: David Rogers Principal; Tracey Saxon Assistant Principal Parent(s): Audrey Kattwinkel;
10 Student (High School): Community: None
11 School Improvement Plan SIP Goal 1 (Student Learning Goal) 2013-2014 PLANNING One Student-Centered Strategic Goal All Albemarle County Public Schools students will graduate having actively mastered the lifelong-learning skills they need to succeed as 21 st century learners, workers, and citizens. Board Priority(ies): Place an X in front of those that apply X1.1: Define, develop, and implement effective teaching practices that maximize rigor and meaningful engagement for all students. 1.2: Develop a division- wide master framework for contemporary professional development and training that optimizes our workforce and addresses the essential competencies needed by teachers, administrators, and classified staff. X1.3: Integrate the use of contemporary learning spaces and supportive technologies into the instructional program delivery. X2.1: Define and communicate the Division s specific measures for mastery of lifelong- learning competencies and student success. X2.2: Implement performance- based assessments/tasks and grading practices to create a balanced learning system that measures ACPS outcomes for student success. 3.1: Prepare all students for successful transition to the next grade in their PK- 12 experience. 3.2: Implement a robust, Division- wide PK- 12 World Languages Program. 4.1: Implement a comprehensive mentorship and internship program and expand field trip opportunities to provide real- world learning experiences for all students success. 4.2: Invest the full community in supporting student achievement and outcomes for all students success. 5.1: Ensure the health and safety of the school community. 5.2: Optimize the use of fiscal resources in support of the Division s strategic plan and operations. 5.3: Design the high school of the future. SIP Goal: All students will participate in work projects that require them to develop their command of lifelong learning skills for the 21 st Century.
12 SIP Goal Objective (SMART - Specific/Strategic, Measurable, Attainable, Results-Oriented, Timebound): All students will participate in interdisciplinary units and class projects that will require them to use and deepen their command of the ACPS lifelong learning skills. We will document the process, experiences and products through exhibits, product artifacts, and electronic archives. Quarterly faculty and student surveys will compare data on teachers focus on particular LLLs and students familiarity and facility with targeted skills. Supporting Data / Gap Evidence: Our focus on Lifelong Learning standards directly supports the goal to prepare students for successful living in the world of work and college by providing them with proficiency in those essential skills and directly supports the School Board priorities 1.1 and 1.2. Anticipated Obstacles: Maintaining focus on the strategies that support this goal amidst so many competing tasks for staff. Professional Development Please provide an overview of how you will develop, institute, and evaluate the professional development needed to support this work. We have established a cadre of teacher leaders through professional develop workshops, have instituted faculty readings/discussions about effective implementation of learning targets and will continue by a faculty-wide focus on effective use of rubrics. We will, in partnership with our instructional coaches, evaluate our process and its effectiveness. Coaches will also assist us in the identification of resources to help support this work. PLANNING DOING STUDYING & ACTING Key Strategies and Qualitative Progress Indicators What strategies are you implementing to accomplish your goal and objective? 1. Students authentic products and project that demonstrate their application of LLLSkills will be documented by film, exhibits such as the curriculum fair, and on the school website/blog. Q1 Progress on Strategies Q2 Progress on Strategies Q3 Progress on Strategies Q4 Progress on Strategies & EOY Reflections
13 2. We will post minutes of team meetings, including unit/project designs. 3. Results of interviews with students during CWTs about the nature of the work they are doing and its connection to LLLs. 4. Quarterly feedback from instructional coaches monitoring our instructional progress in terms of frequency and rigor. PLANNING DOING STUDYING & ACTING Measurable Quantitative Indicators What measure/data (ex. discipline data) will you use indicating progress towards your SIP Goal? 1. Quarterly student and staff surveys will describe and indicate am increase in LLLsrelated work as the year progresses. 2. CWT data will show increasing evidence of students working on LLLs in class, using first quarter results as a baseline. Q1 KPI Data Due 11/8/2013 Q2 KPI Data Due 1/31/2014 Q3 KPI Data Due 4/10/2014 Q4/EOY KPI Data Due 6/20/2014
14 School Improvement Plan SIP Goal 2 (Climate/Culture Goal) 2013-2014 PLANNING One Student-Centered Strategic Goal All Albemarle County Public Schools students will graduate having actively mastered the lifelong-learning skills they need to succeed as 21 st century learners, workers, and citizens. Board Priority(ies): Place an X in front of those that apply 1.1: Define, develop, and implement effective teaching practices that maximize rigor and meaningful engagement for all students. 1.2: Develop a division- wide master framework for contemporary professional development and training that optimizes our workforce and addresses the essential competencies needed by teachers, administrators, and classified staff. X1.3: Integrate the use of contemporary learning spaces and supportive technologies into the instructional program delivery. 2.1: Define and communicate the Division s specific measures for mastery of lifelong- learning competencies and student success. 2.2: Implement performance- based assessments/tasks and grading practices to create a balanced learning system that measures ACPS outcomes for student success. X3.1: Prepare all students for successful transition to the next grade in their PK- 12 experience. 3.2: Implement a robust, Division- wide PK- 12 World Languages Program. 4.1: Implement a comprehensive mentorship and internship program and expand field trip opportunities to provide real- world learning experiences for all students success. 4.2: Invest the full community in supporting student achievement and outcomes for all students success. X5.1: Ensure the health and safety of the school community. 5.2: Optimize the use of fiscal resources in support of the Division s strategic plan and operations. 5.3: Design the high school of the future. SIP Goal: We will create and support a positive school climate that nurtures good citizenship, acceptance of others, positive community involvement.
15 SIP Goal Objective (SMART - Specific/Strategic, Measurable, Attainable, Results-Oriented, Timebound): Sutherland s climate will support positive acceptance of and support for all members of the community, as evidenced by an increase of positive ratings from staff, students, and parents specifically on bullying, respectfulness, and civility. Staff will study and report on strategies used, quarterly discipline reports, and by comparing survey trend data. Supporting Data / Gap Evidence: Data from 2012-2013 indicates that 82% of students feel that Sutherland is a happy place to be and 91% of the students said that they feel adults at SMS care about them. 42% of students did report that they feel verbal bullying and putdowns are a problem at school. The putdowns related to appearance, clothing, ethnicity and sexual topics. Anticipated Obstacles: Building a sense of team among students and staff with lack of a dedicated homeroom time in which to do lessons specific to a certain small group. Professional Development Please provide an overview of how you will develop, institute, and evaluate the professional development needed to support this work. A specific group of staff members were sent to training around the topic of crew and how to build community in school. These staff members will develop and lead the initiatives to help SMS develop a comprehensive plan to promote positive interactions within our community. PLANNING DOING STUDYING & ACTING Key Strategies and Qualitative Progress Indicators What strategies are you implementing to accomplish your goal and objective? 1. Written plan of action by the leadership team in moving the committee work out staff wide. 2. The creation of positive recognition systems to acknowledge staff and student Q1 Progress on Strategies Q2 Progress on Strategies Q3 Progress on Strategies Q4 Progress on Strategies & EOY Reflections
16 behavior that contributes to a positive school climate. 3. SMS will adhere to a more clearly defined and more stringent policy on dealing with mean or bullying-type behavior. 4. We will improve our communication with parents and the greater school community: website, blog, town hall, in person meetings, electronic outreach, etc. PLANNING DOING STUDYING & ACTING Measurable Quantitative Indicators What measure/data (ex. discipline data) will you use indicating progress towards your SIP Goal? 1. Quarterly school climate surveys will indicate improvements across the year. 2. School climate surveys from parents and staff will show increasingly positive school climate quarterly. Q1 KPI Data Due 11/8/2013 Q2 KPI Data Due 1/31/2014 Q3 KPI Data Due 4/10/2014 Q4/EOY KPI Data Due 6/20/2014
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18 PLANNING One Student-Centered Strategic Goal School Improvement Plan SIP Goal 3 (Professional Development Goal) 2013-2014 All Albemarle County Public Schools students will graduate having actively mastered the lifelong-learning skills they need to succeed as 21 st century learners, workers, and citizens. Board Priority(ies): Place an X in front of those that apply X1.1: Define, develop, and implement effective teaching practices that maximize rigor and meaningful engagement for all students. X1.2: Develop a division- wide master framework for contemporary professional development and training that optimizes our workforce and addresses the essential competencies needed by teachers, administrators, and classified staff. X1.3: Integrate the use of contemporary learning spaces and supportive technologies into the instructional program delivery. X2.1: Define and communicate the Division s specific measures for mastery of lifelong- learning competencies and student success. X2.2: Implement performance- based assessments/tasks and grading practices to create a balanced learning system that measures ACPS outcomes for student success. X3.1: Prepare all students for successful transition to the next grade in their PK- 12 experience. 3.2: Implement a robust, Division- wide PK- 12 World Languages Program. X4.1: Implement a comprehensive mentorship and internship program and expand field trip opportunities to provide real- world learning experiences for all students success. X4.2: Invest the full community in supporting student achievement and outcomes for all students success. 5.1: Ensure the health and safety of the school community. X5.2: Optimize the use of fiscal resources in support of the Division s strategic plan and operations. 5.3: Design the high school of the future. SIP Goal: Our goal is to create more opportunities to interact with the technology in ways that enhance and make more releveant their learning experiences.
SIP Goal Objective (SMART - Specific/Strategic, Measurable, Attainable, Results-Oriented, Timebound): Students will use technology as a way to enhance their learning and collaboration skills both in the regular educational setting and during their interdisciplinary units thus allowing them to develop their critical thinking and tech skills at the same time. 19 Supporting Data / Gap Evidence: The need for students to use technology and develop their digital literacy is noted in current research on student success in terms of college readiness and workforce readiness. In order to prepare to be successful learners throughout their lifetime, students must build a solid knowledge base of these skills. Anticipated Obstacles: Technology limitations in terms of access for all. Staff comfort in using emerging technology. PROFESSIONAL LEARNING/BUILDING CAPACITY For each date below, please note how you will use the following Professional Development/Work Days to support this work: August 12-20, 2013 October 28, 2013 January 21, 2014 June 9-10, 2014 21 st Century Skills workshop Rubrics Discussion and activity The 4 C s: Applying them in our work LLLS Project based work activities Team level work time on building interdisciplinary units
20 September 30, 2013 Workshop on Rubric Use Team Interdisciplinary Unit development time January 16-17, 2014 February 17, 2014 Other: PLANNING DOING STUDYING & ACTING Key Strategies and Qualitative Progress Indicators What strategies are you implementing to accomplish your goal and objective? 1. Creation and evaluation of the new 6 th grade tech literacy course. 2. Develop a collaborative relationship with another school to allow students to work jointly on projects and products utilizing technology to assist in the process. 3. Promote and utilize maker spaces throughout the building. 4. Build a cadre of students to help document instruction and processes involved with units and work in a documentary style. Q1 Progress on Strategies Q2 Progress on Strategies Q3 Progress on Strategies Q4 Progress on Strategies & EOY Reflections
21 PLANNING DOING STUDYING & ACTING Measurable Quantitative Indicators What measure/data (ex. discipline data) will you use indicating progress towards your SIP Goal? 1. Quarterly student surveys will identify the frequency and quality of technology use in their learning. 2. Quarterly staff surveys will identify the frequency and quality of technology use in their lessons and their comfort in the use of this technology. Q1 KPI Data Due 11/8/2013 Q2 KPI Data Due 1/31/2014 Q3 KPI Data Due 4/10/2014 Q4/EOY KPI Data Due 6/20/2014