1. Schools of Excellence Recognition Program For Century Learning
A GUIDE TO 21ST CENTURY SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT
As we bring our year of learning to a close we begin to think how we now enter our implementation phase. WHERE DO WE START?
HOW DO WE KNOW WHERE TO BEGIN? Successful schools adopt a comprehensive perspective dedicated to quality and equity in all aspect of the school program. The people in these schools think and plan strategically and demonstrate a commitment to continuous improvement. The schools of excellence document can assist in self assessment and help guide you and your staff as you think and plan strategically.
David R. Perine, Executive Director
Office of Human Resources
C. David Price, Coordinator
Leadership Center for 21st Century Schools
West Virginia Department of Education

2. SCHOOLS OF EXCELLENCE CATEGORIES
STUDENT FOCUS AND SUPPORT
SCHOOL CULTURE
CHALLENGING CURRICULUM STANDARDS
ENGAGING INSTRUCTION
PROFESSIONAL LEARNING COMMUNITIES
LEADERSHIP AND EDUCATIONAL VITALITY
SCHOOL, FAMILY AND COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS
INDICATORS OF SUCCESS
The framework and criteria used in the Schools of Excellence Program for 21st Century Learning are derived from a results focused school. Specifically these 8 categories. Categories A, C, & D address the student-teacher-content interaction that is the central core of the educational process. Mainly focused on the classroom level. Categories B, E, and F focus on elements of the context within the schools organizational, cultural, and interpersonal factors which research suggests are “conditions for success”. G covers the schools relationships with significant external stakeholders and H provides multiple out come measures appropriate for measuring school results.

3. The use of SOE criteria as a School Improvement Tool
Criteria are comprehensive
Criteria are interrelated
Criteria are non-prescriptive
Criteria are a basis for collaborative self-assessment
Self assessment is an effective school improvement strategy.
Criteria are Comprehensive: they are intended to address all important internal and external aspects of school operations
2. Interrelated: Linkage among the criteria—they address the multiple, embedded and interacting contexts of school life.
3. Non prescriptive: Focus on results rather than on specific means or procedures
Provides a basis for collaborative self- assessment: Which Provides a profile of school strengths and areas for improvement. USEFUL TOOL FOR STRATEGIC PLANNING AND SELF-ASSESSMENT
Effective School Improvement strategy: The criteria are valuable to school assessing their current programs and practices in relation to those outlined as a 21st Century School of Excellence.

4. SCHOOLS OF EXCELLENCE REFLECTION TOOL
Three levels of Implementation
Emerging
Partial
Substantial/Full

5. Emerging Implementation
Plans are in place to implement
the practice (discuss the steps
taken for implementation)

6. Partial Implementation
Practice is evident in some content areas or instructional levels and has been recently implemented. (Data from partial implementation is being reviewed and action steps for practice(s) to become pervasive throughout the school are beginning.)

7. Substantial/Full Implementation
You should be able to provide specific details, illustrative details and relevant data. The Practice is pervasive throughout the school (all content areas and instructional levels) and is in place across multiple academic years. Monitoring, evaluating and refining practices are taking place.

8. HOW DOES OUR SCHOOL APPLY FOR A 21ST CENTURY SCHOOL OF EXCELLENCE?
Schools meeting the criteria shall apply through its local superintendent and school district

9. HOW DOES OUR SCHOOL APPLY FOR A 21ST CENTURY SCHOOL OF EXCELLENCE?
Applications are forwarded to the WVDE
Applications are reviewed by a State Review Panel

10. APPLICATION AND GUIDELINES
The application and guidelines can be downloaded from the WVDE website:
www. wvde.state.wv.us
click on human resources and scroll down until you find the Schools of Excellence Application.
Donna Peduto will also be giving you another way to locate the WV 21st Century Schools of Excellence Application and Guidelines.
If you have questions see me and I will be glad to answer them for you. THANK YOU.