North Platte School District Strategic Planning Introduction North Platte Public Schools is dedicated to providing the highest quality education to each North Platte student from pre-k through grade 12. It is essential to involve the ideas of both school personnel and community constituency. With that emphasis, North Platte School District has been developed a strategic plan that will guide and guide our district/school improvement work over the next 5 years. The following priority areas have been identified using data from the Nebraska Association of School Board's superintendent search surveys from students, North Platte School District staff, parents and patrons of the community, AdvancED, and Nebraska AQuESTT- Accountability for a Quality Education System, Today and Tomorrow resources were used to identify areas that have greatest impact the effectiveness and efficiencies of a school district. AQuESTT aligns some regulatory requirements under the umbrella of quality, accountability, and school improvement. AdvancED is the largest community of education professionals in the world. They are a non-profit, non-partisan organization that conducts rigorous, on-site external reviews of PreK-12 schools and school systems to ensure that all learners realize their full potential. Our purpose is to prepare students to be productive, responsible citizens in a safe, caring, supportive learning environment. Our direction is to prepare every student for success through high quality educational programs delivered by highly effective educators who use innovative, researched-based strategies in a safe and supportive environment in collaboration with family, businesses, and community members. To achieve our purpose, careful analysis of our current work, and mutual planning for our future effort is critical. It is essential to involve the ideas of both school personnel and community constituency. With that emphasis, North Platte School District has developed a strategic plan that will guide and carry our school improvement work over the next five years. The Strategic Plan: The District Leadership Team used district data to determine North Platte s future efforts on improving student learning. The following priority areas have been initially identified using data from the Nebraska Association of School Board's superintendent search surveys from students, North Platte School District staff, 1
parents and patrons of the community, AdvancED, and Nebraska AQuESTT- Accountability for a Quality Education System, Today and Tomorrow resources were used to identify areas that have greatest impact the effectiveness and efficiencies of a school district. The eight selected improvement targets are: Goal 1: The North Platte School District maintains and communicates at all levels of the organization a purpose and direction for continuous improvement that commits to high expectations for learning as well as shared values and beliefs about teaching and learning. Goal 2: The North Platte School District provides the governance and leadership that promotes and supports it purpose and direction; student performance, and system effectiveness. Goal 3 : The North Platte School District provides a rigorous, relevant, and coherent curriculum; delivered by high quality educators who use innovative, researched-based strategies; supported by school leaders to ensure success for all students. Goal 4: The North Platte School District will utilize best practices to recruit, hire, mentor, retain, and develop qualified certified and noncertified staff in all schools that support its purpose and direction to ensure success for all students. Goal 5: The North Platte School District provides safe, healthy, and efficiently operated facilities; and manages resources in all schools that support its purpose and direction to ensure success for all students. Goal 6: The district demonstrates strategic resource management that includes long-range planning in support of the purpose and direction of the district. The district ensures appropriate levels of funding and sustainability of resources, as well as evidence of long-range capital and resource planning effectiveness. Goal 7 : The North Platte School District provides an effective communication process at all levels of the organization and to the community that promotes and reflects its purpose, values and beliefs about teaching and learning and the systems effectiveness to ensure success for all students. Goal 8: The North Platte School District plans, develops, and creates classroom environments where students engage in collaborative, inquiry-based learning, facilitated by educators who are able to use technology to transform knowledge and skills into solutions, new information, and products. Progress & Success The results of the Strategic Plan work is a blueprint for North Platte School District s future which will guide the work of school personnel and be measured by fulfillment of the action plans, staff participation, and student improvements. Goal monitoring will be presented to the Board bi-annually, and presented to the public on the district website. The following pages contain the purpose, direction, goals, strategies, and action plans for each of the eight goal areas. 2
Our Purpose, Direction, Values, and Pillars of Excellence are at the core of everything we do. They represent the foundation upon what we build our strategies and organize our operations. Purpose Our purpose is to prepare students to be productive, responsible citizens in a safe, caring, supportive learning environment. Direction Our direction is to prepare every student for success through high quality educational programs delivered by highly effective educators who use innovative, researched-based strategies in a safe and supportive environment in collaboration with family, businesses, and community members. Values Student-Success Teamwork Continuous-Improvement Collaboration Respect Hard-Work Trust Loyalty Honesty Integrity Teachers & School Leaders Belief 3
Our Pillars of Excellence North Platte School District Strategic Plan We are a highly functioning school district that focuses on achieving higher levels of student performance and organizational effectiveness 4
ADVANCED STANDARDS Purpose and Direction The system maintains and communicates at all levels of the organization a purpose and direction for continuous improvement that commit to high expectations for learning as well as shared values and beliefs about teaching and learning. Governance and Leadership The system operates under governance and leadership that promote and support student performance and system effectiveness. Teaching and Assessing for Learning The system s curriculum, instructional design, and assessment practices guide and ensure teacher effectiveness and student learning across all grades and courses. Resources and Support Systems The system has resources and provides services in all schools that support its purpose and direction to ensure success for all students. Using Results for Continuous Improvement The system implements a comprehensive assessment system that generates a range of data about student learning and system effectiveness and uses the results to guide continuous improvement. 5
The Six Tenets of AQuESTT STUDENT SUCCESS AND ACCESS Positive Partnerships, Relationships & Student Success The State Board believes that student engagement through positive partnerships and relationships is fundamental to successful schools and districts. The State Board seeks to support schools and districts to implement best practices in student, family and community engagement to enhance educational experiences and opportunities. Areas of Focus Individualized or Personalized Learning Plans Attendance and Participation Family Engagement Community and support services Transitions The State Board believes that quality educational opportunities focus on supports for students transitioning between grade levels, programs, schools, districts and ultimately college and careers. Areas of Focus Early Childhood-Elementary Elementary-Middle School Middle School-High School High School-Post High School Educational Opportunities and Access The State Board believes that all students should have access to comprehensive instructional opportunities to be prepared for postsecondary education and career goals. Areas of Focus Early Childhood Education Comprehensive Learning Opportunities Expanded Learning Opportunities Blended Learning Opportunities 6
TEACHING AND LEARNING College & Career Ready The State Board of Education believes that every student upon completion of secondary education shall be prepared for postsecondary educational opportunities and to pursue their career goals. Areas of Focus Rigorous College & Career Ready Standards for All Content Areas Technological & Digital Readiness Support for Career Awareness and Career/College Goals Assessment The State Board believes the results of multiple assessment sources (national, state, and classroom-based) should be used to measure student achievement of college and career ready standards, and be used as an integral part of the instructional process. Areas of Focus Individualized/Adaptive Assessments Classroom Based Assessments State Assessments National/International Assessments Educator Effectiveness The State Board believes that students should be surrounded by effective educators throughout their learning experiences such that schools and districts develop effective teachers and leaders who establish a culture of success. Areas of Focus Nebraska Teacher & Principal Performance Framework Professional Development Building Leadership Supports Effective Local Policy Makers & Superintendents 7
DISTRICT STRATEGIC PLAN Framework Goal 1: The North Platte School District maintains and communicates at all levels of the organization a purpose and direction for continuous improvement that commits to high expectations for learning as well as shared values and beliefs about teaching and learning. Goal 2: The North Platte School District provides the governance and leadership that promotes and supports it purpose and direction; student performance, and system effectiveness. Goal 3 : The North Platte School District provides a rigorous, relevant, and coherent curriculum; delivered by high quality educators who use innovative, researched-based strategies; supported by school leaders to ensure success for all students. Goal 4: The North Platte School District will utilize best practices to recruit, hire, mentor, retain, and develop qualified certified and noncertified staff in all schools that support its purpose and direction to ensure success for all students. Goal 5: The North Platte School District provides safe, healthy, and efficiently operated facilities; and manages resources in all schools that support its purpose and direction to ensure success for all students. Goal 6: The district demonstrates strategic resource management that includes long-range planning in support of the purpose and direction of the district. The district ensures appropriate levels of funding and sustainability of resources, as well as evidence of long-range capital and resource planning effectiveness. Goal 7 : The North Platte School District provides an effective communication process at all levels of the organization and to the community that promotes and reflects its purpose, values and beliefs about teaching and learning and the systems effectiveness to ensure success for all students. Goal 8: The North Platte School District plans, develops, and creates classroom environments where students engage in collaborative, inquiry-based learning, facilitated by educators who are able to use technology to transform knowledge and skills into solutions, new information, and products. 8
The purpose of the North Platte School District s Strategic Plan is to improve teaching and learning in every classroom; and build leadership capacity at all levels of the system leading to higher levels of student achievement, improve organizational effectiveness, and ultimately preparing every student for a successful transition. We embrace the conviction that ALL kids can achieve and that quality leadership and teaching really do influence student results. 9
DISTRICT STRATEGIC PLAN PURPOSE & DIRECTION Goal 1: The North Platte School District maintains and communicates at all levels of the organization a purpose and direction for continuous improvement that commits to high expectations for learning as well as shared values and beliefs about teaching and learning. Strategy 1.1 The North Platte School District implements a process to ensure the District s purpose and direction is reviewed on a regularly basis by involving internal and external stakeholders. GOVERNANCE & LEADERSHIP Goal 2: The North Platte School District provides the governance and leadership that promotes and supports it purpose and direction; student performance and system effectiveness. Policy and Practice Strategy 2.1 The Board of Education ensures policies and practices clearly support the district s purpose and direction and the effective operation of the district. Operation Strategy 2.2 The Board of Education operates responsibly and functions effectively. Roles and Responsibility Strategy 2.3 The Board of Education ensures that the school leadership has the autonomy to meet goals for achievement and instruction and to manage day-to-day operations effectively. Strategy 2.4 an ethical The superintendent promotes the success of all students with integrity, fairness, and in manner. TEACHING & LEARNING Goal 3: The North Platte School District provides a rigorous, relevant, and coherent curriculum; delivered by high quality educators who use innovative, researched-based strategies; supported by school leaders to ensure success for all students. Strategy 3.1 Research, plan, implement, and evaluate structures and processes for continuous professional learning in all classrooms. This strategy focuses on adult actions & activities that supports and improves curriculum, teaching, learning, and leadership. Strategy 3.2 Research, plan, implement, and evaluate programs to meet the needs of students. Focus on programs that maximize student learning experiences. Strategy 3.3 Research, plan, implement, and evaluate structures and processes that focus on continuous improvement, including monitoring teacher effectiveness and reporting student achievement. Strategy 3.4 Implement instructional strategies through the district that ensure active student engagement and 10
self- the development of work-related skills, including opportunities for student collaboration, reflection, critical thinking, and the use of technology. (AdvancEd Required Action) WORKFORCE ENGAGEMENT AND DEVELOPMENT Goal 4: The North Platte School District will utilize best practices to recruit, hire, mentor, retain, and develop qualified certified and noncertified staff in all schools that support its purpose and direction to ensure success for all students. Strategy 4.1 Recruit, hire, train and retain high quality certificated and non-certificated staff FINANCES Goal 5: The district demonstrates strategic resource management that includes long-range planning in support of the purpose and direction of the district. The district ensures appropriate levels of funding and sustainability of resources, as well as evidence of long-range capital and resource planning effectiveness. Strategy 5.1 - Develop and Manage the District Budget, balancing revenues and expenses to maintain a strong financial position and bond rating. Strategy 5.2 Manage the cash reserve for the district to provide three months of expenditures but not to exceed 25% of the General Fund budget of expenditures. Strategy 5.3 Identify and implement programs to maximize the efficient use of revenues to attain the goals of the District. FACILITIES & OPERATIONS Goal 6: The North Platte School District provides safe, healthy, and efficiently operated facilities; and manages resources in all schools that support its purpose and direction to ensure success for all students. Strategy 6.1 Strategy 6.2 Maintain and Implement Long Range Facility Plan. Ensure a safe, healthy environment that is conducive to teaching and learning. COMMUNICATION & COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT GOAL 7: The North Platte School District provides an effective communication process at all levels of the organization and to the community that promotes and reflects its purpose, values and beliefs about teaching and learning and the systems effectiveness to ensure success for all students. Strategy 7.1 Provide internal and external communication systems with clear, accurate, responsive and transparent communication between the School Board, District Leadership Team, administration, staff, students, parents, and the NPPS community. Strategy 7.2 Develop a School Business Partnership which enhances learning by connecting students and teachers to business partners resulting in learning experiences that are authentic and relevant in order to better prepare students for the future. 11
Strategy 7.3 Develop Student Advisory Group to provide input on ways to improve communication with students and obtain input on school system initiatives. TECHNOLOGY Goal 8: The North Platte School District plans, develops, and creates classroom environments where students engage in collaborative, inquiry-based learning, facilitated by educators who are able to use technology to transform knowledge and skills into solutions, new information, and products. Strategy 8.1 Examine the North Platte Public School District Technology Plan and implement an action plan to ensure student use of digital tools to increase active student engagement and learning. 12