Sandhills Leadership Academy October, 2011

 A shared, focused vision for children  A plan that defines how each department, Board of Education, the superintendent, each school and the entire community will work to improve student performance.  A direction in which schools and departments can identify priorities.  A plan that improves learning for all children

 Each school needs a mission statement that aspires to the ideal, declares what the school will be, and creates a common purpose. Sandy School will work together with students, families, and the community to ensure a quality, innovative education program in a safe environment where students become responsible, contributing citizens and lifelong learners.  Each school must develop belief statements that define how the school should function. (the soul of the school) Student learning guides all decisions. All students can learn and be successful in an appropriate learning environment.

 Share the mission/vision statement of its essence for your current school  Create 2-3 belief statements forSandySchool and explain how the belief statements will guide decision-making in the school – Share with whole group (chart)

 Structure the school improvement team;  Embed critical thinking, communication, collaboration, and creativity ( 4 C’s) into every aspect of the planning process  Use measurable data in order to compare desired outcomes to present status. Develop “Smart Goals or Smart Objectives”  Integrate programs and funds by connecting objectives and related strategies to resources (time, personnel and $):

 Connect objectives and strategies to student sub-groups  In addition to school-wide objectives and strategies, develop objectives and strategies that parallel school objectives and data-driven needs but also address grade level and departmental data-driven needs  Reflect upon, and continually evaluate, and refine the process and plans as benchmark data becomes available. (4 C’s)

 Develop a clear, well-understood agreement between the central office and the schools regarding budget and personnel parameters in authority.  Maximize financial and personnel flexibility.

Share with your group -2 activities that you’re leading currently in your school that contribute to an identified objective in your school improvement plan. Make a chart to share with whole group

 Flexible use of personnel positions?  Two main locally-driven staff development activities for the last 2 years?  Class size in core courses?  Assignment of new personnel last year? Why?  Staff turnover last three years and why?  Teacher assignment to benchmark grades and courses?  Parent and community involvement last year to meet school’s improvement objectives?  Budget priorities last 2 years?  2 most significant new strategies in last year’s school improvement plan plan?