Preamble

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This renewal of the Strategic Plan continues to provide a framework within which our District can support each school in helping each student be successful. It was developed in 2003 and refined in 2007 by the Strategic Leadership Group, a team representing the Board of Directors, Spokane Education Association members, and administrators. This renewal is based on an examination of district data and site visits. Staff and community members were then asked to review this work. Their feedback guided the subsequent revisions made by the Strategic Leadership Group. The Board of Directors renewed the plan at their August 22, 2007 public meeting.

The Spokane Public Schools Board of Directors will use the Strategic Plan to determine priorities, guide financial decisions, and seek feedback from staff, parents, and patrons. The plan will be a “living document” that will change as the world and our community change. The Strategic Leadership Group will monitor the Strategic Plan and report on progress regularly to the Board of Directors.

Spokane Public Schools’ Commitments

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Our Mission:The mission of Spokane Public Schools is to develop the skills and talents of all students through rigorous learning experiences, relevant real-life applications, and supportive relationships.

To realize our mission, we commit to:

• Building strong, positive relationships and partnerships within and among students, colleagues, parents, and the community.
• Supporting school and program improvement plans by working together as a system.
• Acting on the belief that each student can learn and deserves our best efforts.
• Respecting and celebrating diversity and culture in people and ideas.
• Approaching our work as learners.
• Continuing our growth and development of skills, knowledge, and behaviors in a climate of trust and collaboration.
• Acting strategically with continuous reflection and improvement.
• Ensuring public trust by using our resources wisely.

Our Goal: All students succeed at each grade level and graduate from high school well prepared for a variety of post-secondary pursuits in our democratic society.

To realize our goal, we will:

• Ensure all students reach or exceed individual learning goals aligned with district standards and high school graduation requirements.
• Align all district resources, programs, and departments to achieve high levels of student achievement and instructional excellence.
• Engage parents and the community in supporting high levels of student achievement.

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Strategies & Objectives

Strategy 1: Ensure all students reach or exceed individual learning goals aligned with district standards and high school graduation requirements.

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Objective 1: Create quality relationships and safe, successful learning conditions for all students and staff.

1. Support, empower and expect all staff to have knowledge of and be responsive to students and families of all cultures and circumstances.
2. Provide a physically and emotionally safe learning environment through the development of personalized learning structures where each student is supported by caring adults.
3. Support, empower and expect all students to actively engage in their learning and to enhance the sense of community in their school.
4. Support students and families as they transition into and out of grade levels and programs.
5. Analyze data from multiple sources to provide options to improve and enrich the learning environment for all students.
6. Support, empower and expect all staff to actively engage in their learning and to enhance the sense of community in their school.

Objective 2: Align the written, taught, and tested curriculum to engage all students in rigorous and relevant learning.

1. Implement a seamless articulation of the curriculum from elementary to middle school, middle school to high school and high school to post-secondary pursuits.
2. Support, empower, and expect staff to teach the district curriculum using effective instructional practices based on data and research.
   1. Support all teachers with instructional coaching based on relevant data.
   2. Implement effective staff collaboration focused on student learning.
3. Support, empower, and expect the principal to be the instructional leader, modeling continuous learning.
4. Analyze data from multiple sources to make decisions about instruction at the district, school, classroom and student level.
5. Utilize assessment for learning to build student confidence and engagement.

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Strategy 2: Align all district resources, programs, and departments to attain high levels of student achievement and instructional excellence.

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Objective 1: Apply effective decision-making and communication practices that create system alignment.

Objective 2: Implement and communicate a strategic budget process that is understandable, inclusive and supports the District’s Goal.

Objective 3: Recruit, support, and retain a highly qualified, diverse and culturally responsive staff.

Objective 4: Design, construct, and maintain cost effective and energy efficient schools and facilities that support and enhance student achievement.

Objective 5: Analyze data from multiple sources to evaluate district instructional and non-instructional programs and departments to ensure alignment in support of the District’s Goal.

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Strategy 3: Engage parents and the community in supporting high levels of student achievement.

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Objective 1: Ensure quality relationships with all parents and guardians to support student academic achievement.

1. Support, empower, and expect school, district and program staff to engage with and be responsive to families of all cultures and circumstances.
2. Develop shared responsibility and accountability for learning among staff, students and parent/guardians.
3. Develop and maintain partnerships with community agencies that provide support services to our students and families.
4. Collaborate with parents/guardians and community members to secure and enhance local, state, and federal funding to support the District’s goal.

Objective 2: Collaborate with state and local governments, community organizations and higher education to support student achievement.

Objective 3: Analyze data and information about student achievement obtained from a broad cross-section of parents, community, students and staff to ensure continuous system improvement.

Objective 4: Increase awareness and generate participation in the Spokane Public School’s foundation to support innovation, best practices, and student opportunities that align with District priorities.

Objective 5: Communicate with the community about our accomplishments, progress and challenges.

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Measurements

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Strategy 1 Measurements

• State assessment data in reading, writing, and mathematics for students in grades 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 10, including WASL, WAAS, and other alternative assessments disaggregated by gender, ethnicity, and socio-economic status.
• State assessment data in science for students in grades 5, 8 and 10, including WASL, WAAS, and other alternative assessments disaggregated by gender, ethnicity, and socio-economic status.
• SAT and ACT performance disaggregated by percent of total student population, gender, ethnicity, and socio-economic status.
• Percent of students enrolled in technical programs who achieve professional certification.
• Student participation disaggregated by gender, ethnicity and socio-economic status in gifted programs, advanced placement and honors courses.
• Student participation and successful completion rates disaggregated by gender, ethnicity and socio-economic status in college preparatory courses.
• Percent of students repeating high school courses in community college based on State Community College Report
• Student participation, academic achievement, and exit rates disaggregated by gender, ethnicity and socio-economic status in the Special Education program.
• Student participation, academic achievement, and exit rates disaggregated by gender, ethnicity, socio-economic status, and native language for the English Language Learner/ESL program.
• Attendance rates at all levels
• High School graduation rates age/grade by cohort
• Clear and specific connection between student achievement data and the School Improvement Plan
• Numbers of students that are leaving the district to other districts or private schools, attain a GED, or participate in home schooling disaggregated by gender, ethnicity and socio-economic status.
• Student discipline data disaggregated by gender, ethnicity, and socio-economic status

Strategy 2 Measurements

• All schools meet Adequate Yearly Progress
• District meets Adequate Yearly Progress
• Workforce Diversity Report (a review of the District’s employment demographics)
• Systematic program and department reviews
• Articulated, published budget development process
• Adopted budget and fund balance
• State Auditors Office report
• Comprehensive Annual Financial Report

Strategy 3 Measurements

• Staff perception survey
• Community perception survey
• Student climate survey
• Exit/entrance interviews at transitional grades (Pre-K to K, 6th to 7th, 8th to 9th, 12th )
• The current bond rating from investment rating agencies is sustained
• Voters sustain their support of levy and bond measures

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