Falls Church City Public Schools Division Plan, Presentation to the Falls Church Community June 6, 2006

Purpose of the Plan FCCPS tradition of strategic planning Virginia SOQ requirement for division planning Will guide all activities of FCCPS for next 6 years

Plan Development Process Invite stakeholder input (January-March, 2006) Student, staff & community focus groups Staff & community questionnaires School Board planning meetings (April-May) Consider input received Develop mission & values statements Write plan goals & objectives

Plan Adoption Town hall meeting – June 6 Public hearing – June 13 Plan adoption – June 27

Focus Groups Participants 6-8 per group on average Total: approximately Internal Groups 10 External “Community” Groups School-Affiliated Organizations Elementary, Middle School & High School Students and Parents Business Community Former School Board Members & Superintendents ESOL Parents

Questionnaires Two versions – staff & community Broad questions Comment section to probe specific concerns 246 (of 355) staff responses 382 community responses

Summary of the Data Focus Groups Questionnaires

FCCPS Most Positive Attributes: Staff Perspective A focus on meeting the needs of the individual child A high-quality teaching staff – experienced, creative, and dedicated Teamwork, collegiality & collaboration among the staff

Other Positive Attributes: Staff Perspective Availability of resources (staff, equipment, supplies, programs & technology) Small class size & student-teacher ratios A variety of strong academic programs Community support – general & financial A high level of student achievement Opportunities for professional growth Innovative teaching strategies & creative freedom Parent support & involvement Staff involvement in decision making

FCCPS Most Positive Attributes: The Community Perspective  Small class size & student-teacher ratios (74%)  A high-quality teaching staff – experienced, creative & dedicated (71%)

Other Positive Attributes: The Community Perspective Parent support & involvement (69% strongly agreeing) Falls Church community support for schools (65%) A high quality education & academic rigor (58%) A sense of community in the schools (57%) Advanced high school academic programs (56%) FCCPS reputation for excellence – local & national (55%) Preparation of students for college (52%)

Primary Issues to Address: The Staff Perspective Meeting the needs of all students We meet the needs of college-bound, gifted & special education students well We need to improve how we meet the needs of “Kids in the middle” Underachieving / at-risk students ESOL students

Primary Issues: Staff Perspective The Curriculum Challenges students (76/6%) We need a K-12 written curriculum that Is aligned with SOLs Includes a continuum of learning Utilizes FCCPS teacher expertise

Primary Issues: Staff Perspective “Time to get the job done” Report managing to “wear many hats well” (83/13%) However, also report feeling pulled in many directions Need planning time / time for collaboration Need to streamline committees & meetings

Primary Issues: Staff Perspective Administrative issues to address  Develop better communication from central office & between schools  Better articulate staff roles & responsibilities  Develop clear & transparent written standard operating procedures

Other Issues: Staff Perspective Better transitioning of students from school to school Need to use data effectively to inform instruction Need for challenging courses to fill gap between IB/AP & CP classes Review of CIRT program Long-range planning for facilities maintenance & improvement Staff development program changes Tangible and intangible compensation

Primary Issues to Address: Community Perspective Meeting the needs of students We meet the needs of college-bound, gifted & special education well or very well We need to improve how we meet the needs of “Kids in the middle” Underachieving / at-risk students 2/3 survey respondents believe that students are being challenged well or very well 1/3 believe that students are challenged “sometimes but not always”

Community Issues: Additional Academic Issues IB strong for humanities / not for science and math / need for more AP courses Gap between IB & CP courses Need more instructional differentiation Need to look at impact of testing on learning Review of the TAAP program Need for a written curriculum / lack of continuity Improve art and music programs

Community Issues: Foreign Language Classes Add more languages to the GMHS curriculum? Very important – 39% Somewhat important – 39% Latin, Chinese, Arabic most frequently suggested Offer a language choice at MEHMS? Very important – 42% Somewhat important – 39%

Community Issues: Counseling Program The school counseling program meets the needs of students well/very well (38%); sometimes, but not always (39%); not well/not at all (23%) Develop a comprehensive counseling program Grades 8-12 Academic, personal & vocational Review the college counseling program Continue & improve the anti-bullying program

Community Issues: Athletic Program The GMHS sports program meets the needs of high school athletes well (67%) Concerns Amount of travel & practice time / impact on academics Need for a policy on the shared gym & fields Consider a swim team

Community Issues: After-School Programs The FCCPS after-school programs meet the needs of students well or very well (54%) Daycare program a real plus Concerns MEH needs more school clubs and athletics Add national clubs to high school Consider math, science, and art clubs

Community Issues: Teacher to Parent Communication Questionnaire: Communication is good Focus groups: Communication needs improvement (5/5 parent groups) Want a communication policy More proactive communication More information on school & classroom activities More comment on report cards School to home / FCCPS to community communication are good

Community Issues: FCCPS Website Questionnaire: Website quality and effectiveness are good. Focus groups: Website needs improvement (3/5 parent groups) Make more user-friendly & interactive Keep up-to-date Information function: classroom & school activities Education function: post assignments & grades, correspondence with teachers Teacher accountability is critical

Community Issues: Facilities Strongly agree that buildings and grounds are well-maintained Strongly agree that school buildings are kept safe and secure Need for short and long term facilities planning

Community Perspectives Replacement / renovation program Very important – 22% Somewhat important – 41% Competitive teacher salaries Very important – 64% Somewhat important – 27% Pay more taxes for schools Very willing – 19% Willing – 41%

FCCPS Mission & Values

Mission Statement The Falls Church City Public Schools, in partnership with our families and community, educates and challenges every student to succeed and become a responsible and contributing member of the global community.

We Value Our Students All decisions of the FCCPS must be based on the needs of students Students learn best in a secure environment that includes a rigorous and challenging curriculum and a climate of high expectations and academic excellence Measurable and achievable student goals must guide teaching and learning Schools that value diversity and promote lifelong learning and responsible citizenship provide students with the foundation for success in a global community

We Value Our Staff A highly-skilled, experienced and dedicated staff is key to effective learning Collegiality, collaboration and teamwork are essential

We Value Our Public Education System Small classes and small schools are the foundation for academic excellence Data must be used for continuous improvement in teaching and learning The necessary resources must be provided to support student achievement

We Value Our Partnership with the Community Our schools must be responsive and accountable to the community Community involvement strengthens our schools

Plan Goals & Objectives

Student Goals 1. The FCCPS will educate, challenge, and support every student to succeed and become a responsible and contributing member of the global community. 2. The FCCPS will sustain a culture that values diversity and promotes positive and constructive student behavior. 3. The FCCPS will provide a well-rounded education that includes extra and co-curricular activities and sports.

Staff Goals 1. The FCCPS will attract, retain and develop a highly-skilled, experienced and dedicated teaching, administrative and support staff in a culture of continuous growth. 2. The FCCPS will create and sustain a culture characterized by teamwork, collegiality and collaborative decision-making. 3. The FCCPS expects administrators to provide effective leadership and management.

Environmental Goals 1. The FCCPS buildings will be safe, healthy and comfortable environments for students, staff and the community. 2. The FCCPS will be prepared to respond to emergency situations.

Community Goals 1. The FCCPS will actively involve families as partners in their children's education. 2. The FCCPS will actively involve the Falls Church community as a partner in the education of the city’s children.

Division-Wide Goals 1. The FCCPS will design and deliver programs that address wellness and foster resiliency. 2. The Falls Church City School Board will be a responsible steward of the community’s resources and an advocate for the FCCPS mission. 3. The FCCPS will ensure that the division operates efficiently and effectively.

Operationalizing the Plan 1. The FCCPS will educate, challenge, and support every student to succeed and become a responsible and contributing member of the global community.

Adding Strategies & Work Tasks Objective 1.1: To provide a written, integrated K-12 curriculum that is relevant, rigorous, differentiated and aligned with the Virginia Standards of Learning (SOLs). Strategy 1.1.1: To continue to conduct curriculum studies of core and elective subject areas according to the established FCCPS cycle. Work Task 1: Form committees to study each curricular area. Work Task 2: Use revised/most current SOLs to inform curriculum studies. Work Task 3: Use most current SOLs and curriculum study data to inform text book selection/adoption.

Next Steps Summer: Staff work on strategies & work tasks September: School Board adoption of full plan Annually: School Board strategic plan development based on the division plan