BOE Information Session

Developing a long term strategic plan for FCPSS E P T E M B E R 2 4 T H , 2 0 1 4

D R A F T

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FCPS is working to draft a focused, coherent and actionable strategic plan to guide the school system over the next five years.

Strategic Planning - Rationale and Objectives

Tightening Budgets

Growing Regulation

Rising Accountability

Increasing Diversity of Student Population and Need

• Prioritizing a focused and actionable set of the most important levers for improving performance

• Aligning all stakeholders on a clear path forward over the next few years

• Providing a guidance document to drive allocation of school system’s limited resources (financial, human capital and others)

Most school districts navigate a number of challenges and competing interests:

A coherent strategic plan helps navigate the growing number of challenges by:

FCPS Situation Strategic Planning Benefits

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The design of the strategic plan is a multi-month process.

Project Workplan DRAFT

Gather and analyze quantitative data on what is working well and areas in need for improvement

Utilize information from district’s stakeholder engagement efforts to identify pressing issues to be addressed within the strategic planning process

Conduct additional stakeholder interviews to better understand district priorities

Form steering committee and organize project kick-off

Implement

Refine long term aspirational goals for FCPS

Draft a theory of action about what it takes to raise achievement and make the vision a reality

Develop priorities in line with the drafted theory of action

• Finalize specific and measurable targets related to district priorities (measurable goals)

• Incorporate community feedback into the drafted plan

• Draft a detailed action plan for implementation:

o Delineate roles and responsibilities

o Establish implementation timelines

o Determine plan to track and monitor progress

• Create templates/framework for schools to create school-level improvement plans in accordance with the overall strategic plan

• Develop management dashboard to track and monitor progress on each strategic goal/objective

9-12 months

Develop Strategic Plan

4-5 months

Conduct Needs Assessment

1 month

Phase I - Design Phase II - Implementation

Current focus

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FCPS convened a steering committee dedicated to developing the strategic plan.

Steering Committee Membership DRAFT

Member Position

Theresa Alban Superintendent

Mita Badshah Middle School Principal

Zakir Bengali BOE Member

Tracey Franklin High School Principal

Chris Horne Curriculum Specialist (Pre K -5, Math)

April Miller BOE Member

Jeanine Molock Director of Research, Development and Accountability

Leslie Pellegrino Executive Director of Fiscal Services

Randy Perrell Elementary School Principal

Larry Phillips Custodial Services Specialist

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The development of FCPS’ strategic plan has bene guided by a comprehensive framework.

Strategic Planning Framework DRAFT

Aspirational goals: Definition of where the organization wants to be in future

Theory of action: Set of beliefs, policies, and practices connected by logic rules. Belief around why something will be successful

Priorities: Broad thematic areas of focus

Measurable goals: Specific and measurable targets related to district priorities

Initiatives: Specific actions related to each priority that help to achieve the measurable goals

What does success look like?

What do we believe will help us achieve our aspirational goals?

How will we support the theory of action?

What needs to happen by when and by whom?

Definitions Questions

Prim

ary

BO

E

Re

sp

on

sib

ility

Prim

ary

FC

PS

R

es

po

ns

ibility

Theory of action

Aspirational Goals

Priorities

Initiatives

Responsibilities Timelines

Measurable Goals (related to the priorities)

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The steering committee has revised aspirational goals statements based on feedback provided by the BOE at their June 12 meeting.

Aspirational Goals

Broad Thematic Category Goal Statement

Student achievement:

FCPS will nurture relationships with families and community members, sharing responsibility for student success and demonstrating pride in our school system.

Community involvement:

FCPS will hire, support, and retain staff who champion personal, professional, and academic excellence.

Effective and engaged staff:

FCPS will utilize all resources strategically and responsibly to achieve identified outcomes and inspire public trust.

Resource allocation:

FCPS will equip each and every student to be an engaged citizen and an empowered learner to achieve a positive impact in the global community.

1

4

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3

DRAFT

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The development of the theory of action has been a multi-step process involving feedback and guidance from members of the steering committee.

Theory of Action Development Process DRAFT

Step 3

• Discussed key beliefs with Superintendent, utilizing case studies from other districts and past FCPS initiatives

Step 2

Step 1

Step 4

Gather and analyze quantitative data on what is working well and areas in need for improvement

Utilize information from district’s stakeholder engagement efforts to identify pressing issues to be addressed within the strategic planning process

Conduct additional stakeholder interviews to better understand district priorities

Form steering committee and organize project kick-off

Refine long term aspirational goals for FCPS

• Draft a theory of action about what it takes to raise achievement and make your vision a reality

• Develop priorities in line with the drafted theory of action

• Finalize specific and measurable targets related to district priorities (measurable goals)

• Incorporate community feedback into the drafted plan

Develop Strategic PlanConduct Needs Assessment

1 month

Phase I - Design

• Drafted initial theory of action based on preliminary themes put forth by the Superintendent

• Sought feedback from steering committee members on the initial draft

• Refined theory of action draft based on feedback

4-5 months

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The theory of action represents FCPS’ fundamental belief about achieving its defined goals.

FCPS Theory of Action DRAFT

• Creates a culture of high expectations and continuous improvement throughout the district using clear indicators of performance, and

• Recognizes that schools and school communities are the centers of student learning, and

• Invests in staff at every level of the organization who work to ensure highest quality teaching and learning occurs in every classroom, and

• Empowers all leaders to adapt districtwide parameters to the local context in order to achieve set goals;

THEN…

FCPS staff members will become exceptional leaders who support one another to ensure all students are successful

IF FCPS…

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The steering committee has drafted and refined potential priorities through a multi-step process.

Priorities Development Process DRAFT

Gather and analyze quantitative data on what is working well and areas in need for improvement

Utilize information from district’s stakeholder engagement efforts to identify pressing issues to be addressed within the strategic planning process

Conduct additional stakeholder interviews to better understand district priorities

Form steering committee and organize project kick-off

Refine long term aspirational goals for FCPS

Draft a theory of action about what it takes to raise achievement and make your vision a reality

• Develop priorities in line with the drafted theory of action

• Finalize specific and measurable targets related to district priorities (measurable goals)

• Incorporate community feedback into the drafted plan

Develop Strategic Plan

4-5 months

Conduct Needs Assessment

1 month

Phase I - Design

Step 3

• Steering committee members individually drafted possible priorities via homework assignment

Step 2

Step 1

Step 4

• Steering committee and Superintendent ranked multiple priority topics during group activity

• Steering committee provided input on sample priorities through small group phone conversations

• Steering committee further refined and finalized priorities as a group

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The current priorities have been drafted with several specific qualities in mind.

Characteristics of a Well Crafted Priority DRAFT

Focused

Clear

Aligned

• Priorities should focus on a short list of high impact activities that are most likely help FCPS meet its goals, given the school system’s specific context, challenges, and opportunities

• Priorities should paint a clear picture to all stakeholders about the school system’s focus

• Strong priorities promote cross-collaboration and alignment between the work of various departments and levels of the organization

Measurable

• It should be possible to measure progress toward achieving each priority

Quality Description

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FCPS’ priorities describe specific areas of focus for the school system in order to achieve the aspirational goals.

PRELIMINARY

Thematic Category

Student achievement

Effective and engaged

staff

Resource allocation

Community involvement

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2

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• FCPS will provide all students high quality instruction that fosters creative thinking, complex problem solving, and collaboration.

• FCPS will provide curriculum, instruction, and enrichment that raises achievement for all students and closes achievement gaps.

• FCPS will support growth for all staff and enable them to advance continuously as highly effective professionals.

• FCPS will implement strategies to recruit, hire, and retain a high quality and diverse workforce.

• FCPS will ensure equitable distribution of resources based on the varied needs of students and schools.

• FCPS will continue to promote clear communication and transparency in allocation of funds.

Priorities

• FCPS will develop, encourage, and maintain community participation in district initiatives to support student success.

• FCPS will equip staff with the knowledge and tools necessary to engage students, families, and the community and build trust in the district’s goals, priorities, and initiatives.

FCPS will nurture relationships with families and community members, sharing responsibility for student success and demonstrating pride in our school system.

FCPS will hire, support, and retain staff who champion personal, professional, and academic excellence.

FCPS will utilize all resources strategically and responsibly to achieve identified outcomes and inspire public trust.

FCPS will equip each and every student to be an engaged citizen and an empowered learner to achieve a positive impact in the global community.

Goal Statement

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The next phase of work will involve extensive outreach to the community to seek input and encourage feedback on the draft of the strategic plan.

Timeline of Community Engagement DRAFT

Gather and analyze quantitative data on what is working well and areas in need for improvement

Utilize information from district’s stakeholder engagement efforts to identify pressing issues to be addressed within the strategic planning process

Conduct additional stakeholder interviews to better understand district priorities

Form steering committee and organize project kick-off

Refine long term aspirational goals for FCPS

Draft a theory of action about what it takes to raise achievement and make the vision a reality

Develop priorities in line with the drafted theory of action

• Finalize specific and measurable targets related to district priorities (measurable goals)

• Incorporate community feedback into the drafted plan

Develop Strategic Plan

4-5 months

Conduct Needs Assessment

1 month

Phase I - Design

Step 1

Step 2

Step 3

Step 4

Step 5

• Board to review progress on strategic plan

• FCPS to conduct public roundtables with different community stakeholders

• FCPS to engage broader public through different communication strategies

• Steering committee to review community feedback and refine plan

• Board to vote on aspirational goals and priorities

Tod

ay

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Community engagement around the strategic plan will focus on seeking input from the public via a variety of different communication channels.

Community Engagement Efforts Around Strategic Plan DRAFT

The goal of the community engagement effort will be to ensure that diverse perspectives are incorporated into the draft strategic plan and that the larger community and school leaders are aware

of, engaged, and united behind the goals and priorities

Key Objective

A number of communication channels will be utilized, including:

FCPS Website

Social Media Channels

Roundtable Discussions

The website will serve as the central repository for all information on the strategic plan.

An email address and/or a pre-structured feedback form will be setup on the website, allowing any member of the community to provide feedback directly to the steering committee

The website will serve as the central repository for all information on the strategic plan.

An email address and/or a pre-structured feedback form will be setup on the website, allowing any member of the community to provide feedback directly to the steering committee

The steering committee will hold a series of public roundtable discussions in which small groups of parents/students, representatives of community organizations and FCPS staff will be invited to share their opinion and feedback. Broader public will also be able to listen and share their comments at the end of the group discussion.

The steering committee will hold a series of public roundtable discussions in which small groups of parents/students, representatives of community organizations and FCPS staff will be invited to share their opinion and feedback. Broader public will also be able to listen and share their comments at the end of the group discussion.

Social media channels such as Facebook, twitter, etc. will be another way to build awareness around the strategic plan and to encourage public feedback

Social media channels such as Facebook, twitter, etc. will be another way to build awareness around the strategic plan and to encourage public feedback

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Roundtables will be structured to seek high quality feedback and diverse perspectives.

Sample Roundtable Agenda DRAFT

Agenda

5 min Welcome

15 minBackground on process, goals, theory of action, and priorities

70 minDiscussion on proposed goals, theory of action, and priorities

30 min Public comment and wrap up

Board of Education Role

• BOE members are invited to attend all roundtable discussions

• BOE will vote on the revised plan after the community feedback has been incorporated

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Roundtable discussions were scheduled to accommodate a variety locations, times of day, and days of the week.

Roundtable Locations and Times DRAFT

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Date and Time Location

• Monday, October 134:00pm – 6:00pm

• Monday, October 137:00pm – 9:00pm

• Thursday, October 1610:30am – 12:30pm

• Thursday, October 167:00pm – 9:00pm

• Tuesday, October 216:00pm – 8:00pm

• Wednesday, October 228:30am – 10:30am

• Urbana High

• Brunswick High

• Bernard W. Brown Community Center (Frederick)

• Middletown High

• Catoctin High

• Central Office Board Room

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Appendix

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A large number of community groups representing diverse perspectives have been invited to participate in the roundtable discussions.

Community Organizations Participating in Roundtables NON-EXHAUSTIVE

Parents

Students

Business stakeholders

Community groups

County services

FCPS employees

Organization Type Sample Invitations

• PTA Council of Frederick County• Frederick Classical Charter Trustees• Special Education Citizens Advisory

Council• SGA representatives

• Chamber of Commerce• Fort Detrick

• The Religious Coalition of Frederick• Eliminating the Achievement Gap

• Frederick County Manager• Frederick County Sheriff’s Office

• Teachers of the Year• FCTA, FASSE, FCASA

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FCPS Mission and Vision