Schools of Excellence Application Process Overview Schools of Excellence Application Process Overview

Eligibility Criteria Minimum number of years of operation – 5 years Could not have been named Schools of Excellence in past 5 years Must have full accreditation status Made AYP for the past 2 years Designated as a high performing school Not identified as persistently dangerous in the last 2 years Attendance rate at or above 93% Graduation rate at or above 80%

Study the processes, procedures, and programs with your school. Celebrate the great things you are doing for students! Recognize the hard work of your staff and community. Applying for Schools of Excellence allows you to……

ellence Applications must be received by 4:00 p.m. on Friday, March 28, How Do We Apply?

Getting Started o Gain support o Sell the process o Select a SOE team o Plan strategically o Develop a timeline o Delegate responsibilities

Get Support and Sell Your Product Faculty Senate School Leadership Team Curriculum Committees Local School Improvement Council PTA/PTO

Getting Organized o Select SOE Team o Ask for volunteers o Committees can select representatives o Draft or assign team members Define responsibilities (Writer, editor, facilitator)

Suggestions for Subgroups o Grade Level o Interest o Subject Matter o Sections of the Application o Areas of Expertise o PLCs

Planning * Your planning team will need to put together a plan that works backwards from the March due date. January Assemble planning team Meet with planning team to discuss and layout entire planning process Set tasks and dates for January, February, and March February Brainstorming session to clarify questions and determine data collection needed Review data collection needs and discuss/assign plans for sub-committees

Brainstorming o Search for unique activities at your school o Create lists of activities o Create lists of information o Create lists of additional information

Planning con’t January Collect data from sub-committees February Work on rough drafts Complete drafts for editors Drafts returned for revisions

Tips to Keep in Mind… Read each question carefully before answering Break down the questions and examine the criteria/descriptors listed below the question Answer the question thoroughly and completely Flowering or philosophical statements without supporting data do not score very highly

Sample Question A2. What comprehensive student support system is available for addressing student physical, social and emotional needs? How does the school intervene when student personal needs are preventing academic success? CRITERIA: Describe any developmental guidance and counseling programs, character education, healthy lifestyles and health services, safety and drug prevention programs, tutoring or mentoring services, dropout prevention programs, or other student support initiatives. Basic Question Descriptors There are 2 questions.

Questions?

We Look Forward to Receiving Your Application! For more information, please contact: The Office of School Improvement Mickey Blackwell Nancy Cline