strategic planning powerpoint
DESCRIPTION
Information in this slide deck is being used by a steering committee of educators to overhaul the Sioux Falls district's strategic plan.TRANSCRIPT
© 2015 THE DISTRICT MANAGEMENT COUNCIL
Strategic Planning Retreat
Identifying Strategic Needs in Sioux Falls School District
O C T O B E R 1 5 T H , 2 0 1 5
2www.dmcouncil.org
Agenda
Introduction & review of strategic planning process 60 min
Key findings from quantitative needs assessment 60 min
Key themes from qualitative needs assessment 30 min
Break 15 min
Closing and next steps 15 min
3
The District Management Council’s mission is to achieve systemic improvement in public education.
DMC Mission
The District Management Council was founded in 2004 to help address the most pressing and important challenges facing K-12 leaders.
DMC believes that strengthening the management capacity of schools is essential for raising student achievement, improving operational efficiency, and allocating resources more effectively.
4
DMC practice areas relate to the key aspects of school district performance.
DMC Practice Areas
Scope of DMC’s engagement with Sioux Falls School District
5
DMC has worked with several districts to shape their strategic vision.
Selected DMC Engagements
2011 – 2014
ILLUSTRATIVE
Boston Public Schools
• Strategic re-alignment and re-organization
• Human capital strategy
Minneapolis Public Schools
• Strategic budget allocation design
Hamilton County Department of Education
• District strategic planning
Baltimore City Public Schools
• District strategic planning
Virginia Beach City Public Schools
• Special education review and implementation planning
Fayette County Public Schools
• Strategic resource allocation
6
Five members of the DMC team will be working on the strategic planning project with Sioux Falls.
DMC Team
John J-H Kim, CEO
John has led several organizations in the education sector. He is also on the faculty of Harvard Business School, and is co-chair of the Public Education Leadership Project (PELP) at Harvard.
[email protected] 617-453-0715
Kriti Parashar, Director
Kriti brings experience in financial management, social enterprise, and non-profit management to DMC.
[email protected] 617-453-2108
Kristen Keen, Associate
Kristen has worked on projects involving best practice reading efforts, related services staff, and resource allocation, and brings a background in law, technology, and management.
[email protected] 617-453-2176
Hosanna Jones, Senior Advisor
Hosanna brings extensive experience in the public education sector. Most recently she was the State Superintendent of Education for the District of Columbia and was previously the chief of staff to the CEO in Chicago Public Schools
[email protected] 678-956-0196
Andrew Larson, Executive Assistant
Andrew has a background in administrative support and office services. Andrew supports DMC’s project teams in all areas of logistics.
7www.dmcouncil.org
Sioux Falls engaged DMC to assist with drafting a focused, coherent, and actionable strategic plan to guide the district in its next phase of growth.
Strategic Planning - Rationale and Objectives DRAFT
Tightening Budgets
Growing Regulation
Rising Accountability
Increasing Student Needs • Prioritizing a focused and actionable set of the most important levers for improving performance
• Aligning all district stakeholders on a clear path forward over the next few years
• Providing a guidance document to drive allocation of district’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:
District Situation Strategic Planning Benefits
8
• Form implementation teams and begin planning for Phase II
• Create a list of current school system initiatives
• Perform a gap analysis to identify future initiatives
• Finalize a new set of initiatives aligned with priorities
• Develop an action plan (with detailed phasing and roles and responsibilities)
• Manage and report on the progress of implementation
We are currently in the process of wrapping up the needs assessment phase which will form the basis of the strategic plan.
Project Workplan
Form steering committee
Gather and analyze quantitative data on what is working well and areas in need of improvement
Conduct stakeholder interviews to better understand root causes of district challenges
• Share findings from needs assessment with steering committee and others to inform strategic plan
• Work with steering committee to:
o Draft a theory of actiono Develop district priorities in
line with the drafted theory of action
o Finalize measurable goals related to district priorities
• Incorporate community feedback into the drafted plan
October 2015 - January 2016
Develop Strategic PlanConduct Needs Assessment
August - September 2015
Phase I - Design
Provide Implementation Support
Phase II - Implementation
(if applicable)9-12 months
Current focus
9
The steering committee consists of staff members from different levels in the organization.
Strategic Planning Steering Committee Membership
Name Position
Dr. Brian Maher Superintendent
Doug Morrison School Board Member
Kate Parker School Board Member
Todd Vik Business Manager, Executive Team
Deb Muilenburg-Wilson Director of Special Services, Executive Team
Ann Smith Program Supervisor, ELL Services
Laura Raeder Program Supervisor, Curriculum Services
Teresa Boysen Principal, Harvey Dunn Elementary
Jamie Nold Principal, Washington High School
Pam Oberembt President, Sioux Falls Education Association
10www.dmcouncil.org
The design of the strategic plan will consist of articulation of the theory of action, priorities, and measurable goals.
Strategic Planning Framework
Priorities
Initiatives
(outlining responsibilities and timelines)
Join
t Sch
oo
l Bo
ard
and
D
istrict Resp
on
sibility
Prim
ary District
Resp
on
sibility
Action Steps
Theory of Action
DE
SIG
NIM
PL
EM
EN
TAT
ION
Measurable Goals
Theory of Action: Fundamental belief around what will lead to long term success in the district
Priorities: Broad areas of focus to support the theory of action
Measurable goals: Specific and measurable goals related to district priorities
Initiatives: Specific projects related to priorities that help to achieve the measurable goals
Action steps: An articulation of what steps need to occur, by when and by whom
Framework Definitions
11
A theory of action is a logical derivation expressing what will ultimately drive success in the district.
Theory of Action
A set of beliefs, policies, and practices connected by logic rules. In short, belief around why something will be successful
Ask yourself – Fundamental belief around what will lead to long term success in the district
If resources are in the schools:• School communities have autonomy over resources• Resources are allocated transparently according to a formula
based on student population and characteristics; and,• There is appropriate guidance, support and accountability from
the district office;Then school communities will make improved decisions based on school needs, and student achievement will increase.
If principals will:• Be responsible for being instructional leaders;• Oversee teacher effectiveness;• Convey district priorities to appropriate stakeholders; and,• Be in charge of focusing the use of school resources;Then principals will be the primary leaders of change throughout the district.
Theory of Action
Examples of a Theory of
Action
12
Priorities are areas of focus for the district and must be determined with the theory of action in mind.
Priorities
Broad thematic areas of focus
Ask yourself – How will we support the theory of action?
• The district will provide each and every student high quality instruction that fosters inquiry, creative thinking, complex problem solving, and collaboration.
• The district will implement strategies to ensure a high quality and diverse workforce.
• The district will encourage and sustain collaborations with families and the entire community to support student success.
• The district will foster personal well-being and healthy among students and staff through increased awareness and engagement on these topics.
• The district will allocate resources efficiently, equitably, and transparently to accomplish our priorities.
Priorities
Examples of Priorities
13
Measurable goals are SMART goals for each of the priority areas.
Measurable Goals
Specific and measurable targets related to district priorities
Ask yourself – are all of the goals SMART? • Specific• Measurable• Aggressive yet Achievable• Relevant• Time-bound
• By 2020, at least 85% of schools will meet or exceed state accountability expectations for ALL students groups.
• By 2020, at least 18% of the district’s staff will represent diverse populations.
• By 2020, stakeholders’ (students, staff, and community members) survey responses indicating a positive perception on items regarding availability of courses, instructional materials, and programs in their school will increase by X% until reaching Y%.
• By 2020, the percent of students suspended from school will not exceed 5% for any student group.
• By 2020, every school will have a student attendance rate of 96% or higher.
Measurable Goals
Examples of Measurable
Goals
14
Initiatives are specific actions that assign ownership and timing to the broader goals and strategies.
Initiatives (Optional)
Specific actions related to each priority that help to achieve the measurable goals
Ask yourself – what needs to happen by when and by whom?
• By implementing a targeted minority recruitment program focused on attracting and hiring highly effective employees, minority representation across all employee groups will reflect 16% of the district’s staff by December 2018. This percentage will annually increase by 2%.
• By December 2016, the district will create a new partnership model to index all current partnerships and establish a process to evaluate, monitor, and manage existing partnerships to support the district’s strategic goals.
• By July 2016, the district will reduce by 1 day the average number of days missed by employees by developing an absence management program that establishes systemic expectations and provides supervisor/employee supports which positively impact employee attendance.
• By June 2017, 100% of district schools will have developed and implemented a school wellness plan.
Initiatives
Examples of Initiatives
15www.dmcouncil.org
Agenda
Introduction & review of strategic planning process 60 min
Key findings from quantitative needs assessment 60 min
Key themes from qualitative needs assessment 30 min
Break 15 min
Closing and next steps 15 min
16www.dmcouncil.org
Both quantitative and qualitative district data was analyzed to provide a full picture of SFSD’s areas of strength and improvement.
Needs Assessment Methodology
• Performance data
o Academic
o College-readiness
o Budget
• Demographics data
• Behavior-related data
• School-level review
• Comparison of Sioux Falls to other districts
• Focus groups with:
o Central office leadership
o Principals
o Teachers
o Parents
o School board members
QualitativeQuantitative
17www.dmcouncil.org
Executive Summary
Key Quantitative Findings:
Performance:
- Academic: Poverty levels are a strong predictor of performance across all school levels
- College-Readiness: The percentage of students taking one or more Advanced Placement course has increased, however only 16% are from low income households.
- Budget: The district’s per-pupil expenditure has remained steady over the past 5 years.
Demographics:
- Nearly 33% of Sioux Falls students belong to an ethnic or racial minority, yet only 2% of Sioux Falls teachers come from similar backgrounds.
Behavior:
- Total suspensions have decreased over the past 5 years primarily driven by a decline in in-school suspensions.
1
2
3
18www.dmcouncil.org
Executive Summary
Key Quantitative Findings:
Performance:
- Academic: Poverty levels are a strong predictor of performance across all school levels
- College-Readiness: The percentage of students taking one or more Advanced Placement course has increased, however only 16% are from low income households.
- Budget: The district’s per-pupil expenditures have remained steady over the past 5 years.
Demographics:
- Nearly 33% of Sioux Falls students belong to an ethnic or racial minority, yet only 2% of Sioux Falls teachers come from similar backgrounds.
Behavior:
- Total suspensions have decreased over the past 5 years primarily driven by a decline in in-school suspensions.
1
2
3
19www.dmcouncil.org
Academic:
Elementary Level:
- There is a wide range in reading proficiency across elementary schools, with the district average below the state average.
Middle School Level:
- Overall, the percentage of 8th graders scoring proficient or above in math is above the state’s average, however there is a wide disparity in performance across schools in both ELA and math.
High School Level:
- The percent of 11th grade students scoring proficient or above on the state assessment in math and reading in Sioux Falls is above the state average.
Performance Key Findings1
20www.dmcouncil.org
There is a wide range in performance across elementary schools in Sioux Falls with the average 3rd grade ELA proficiency at 46%.
Percent Proficient on 2015 SBAC ELA/Literacy (Grade 3)
Source: SBAC Spring 2015 results; South Dakota Department of Education
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
Elementary Schools
% 3r
d G
rad
ers
Pro
ficie
nt
on
SB
AC
EL
A/L
itera
cy
District Average: 46%State Average: 48%
21www.dmcouncil.org
There is a strong inverse trend between poverty and proficiency in reading for elementary schools.
Percent Proficient on 2015 SBAC ELA/Literacy Compared to Percent FRPL Eligible (Grade 3)
Source: SBAC Spring 2015 results; South Dakota Department of Education
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65 70 75 80 85 90 95 100
% 3r
d G
rad
ers
Pro
ficie
nt
on
SB
AC
EL
A/L
itera
cy
% FRPL Eligible
District Average
22www.dmcouncil.org
Middle school students perform at a higher level than that of the state as seen on the the 2015 SBAC ELA assessment.
Percent Proficient on 2015 SBAC ELA/Literacy (Grade 8)
Source: SBAC Spring 2015 results; South Dakota Department of Education
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
State Average: 47%
Middle Schools
% 8t
h G
rad
ers
Pro
ficie
nt
on
SB
AC
EL
A/L
itera
cy
District Average: 54%
23www.dmcouncil.org
The performance for 8th graders on the 2015 SBAC math assessment is also higher compared to that of the state.
Percent Proficient on 2015 SBAC Math (Grade 8)
Source: SBAC Spring 2015 results; South Dakota Department of Education
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
45
50
55
60
65
State Average: 38%
District Average: 48%
Middle Schools
% 8t
h G
rad
ers
Pro
ficie
nt
on
SB
AC
Ma
th
24www.dmcouncil.org
Middle schools with the highest levels of FRPL eligible students have the lowest proficiency levels on the SBAC ELA assessment.
Percent Proficient on 2015 SBAC ELA/Literacy Compared to Percent FRPL Eligible (Grade 8)
Source: SBAC Spring 2015 results; South Dakota Department of Education
20
25
30
35
40
45
50
55
60
65
70
75
80
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65 70 75 80 85
% 8t
h G
rad
ers
Pro
ficie
nt
on
SB
AC
EL
A/L
itera
cy
% FRPL Eligible
District Average
25www.dmcouncil.org
Performance on the 2015 SBAC ELA assessment was fairly consistent across high schools in the district and is above the state average.
Percent Proficient on 2015 SBAC ELA/Literacy (Grade 11)
Source: SBAC Spring 2015 results; South Dakota Department of Education
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
State Average: 60%
% 1
1th G
rad
ers
Pro
ficie
nt
on
SB
AC
EL
A/L
itera
cy
High Schools
District Average: 62%
26www.dmcouncil.org
On average, less than half of 11th graders in Sioux Falls scored proficient or above on the 2015 SBAC math assessment.
Percent Proficient on 2015 SBAC Math (Grade 11)
Source: SBAC Spring 2015 results; South Dakota Department of Education
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
45
50
55
60
State Average: 39%
High Schools
District Average: 44%
% 1
1th G
rad
ers
Pro
ficie
nt
on
SB
AC
Ma
th
27www.dmcouncil.org
High schools in the district remain near the overall district average for proficiency in ELA regardless of poverty rate.
Percent Proficient on 2015 SBAC ELA/Literacy Compared to Percent FRPL Eligible (Grade 11)
Source: SBAC Spring 2015 results; South Dakota Department of Education
30
35
40
45
50
55
60
65
70
75
80
30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50
% 1
1th G
rad
ers
Pro
ficie
nt
on
SB
AC
EL
A/L
itera
cy
% FRPL Eligible
District Average
28www.dmcouncil.org
College Readiness:
- In 2014, the district had an average graduation rate of 82.1%, however and approx. 66% of low income students graduated that year.
- Of the 22% of high school students taking at least one AP course, only 16% were from low income households.
Performance Key Findings1
29www.dmcouncil.org
Sioux Falls’ graduation rates vary across the district by school.
4 Year Cohort Graduation Rate by Subgroup (2014)
Source: Data provided by district
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
District Average: 82%
81.4%84.1% 79.7%Gra
duat
ion
Rat
e
93.4%
NTHS WHS LHS RHS
30www.dmcouncil.org
While Sioux Falls has high graduation rates for white and Asian students, the district only graduates 67% of its low income students in four years.
4 Year Cohort Graduation Rate by Subgroup (2014)
Source: South Dakota State Report Card 2014
38%
52%
67%69%
72%74%75%
85%87%
0%
5%
10%
15%
20%
25%
30%
35%
40%
45%
50%
55%
60%
65%
70%
75%
80%
85%
90%
83%
Gra
duat
ion
Rat
e
82%
Native American
SWDLow Income
ELLHispanicMultiple Races
BlackAsianWhite
District Average
State Average
31www.dmcouncil.org
While low income students as a group have a low graduation rate, the schools with the highest concentration of this population are above the district’s average.
Graduation Rates Compared to Percent FRPL Eligible
Source: Data provided by district
70
75
80
85
90
95
30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50
% FRPL Eligible
Gra
du
atio
n R
ate
District Average
32www.dmcouncil.org
For the past 5 years, the district’s high school drop out rate has increased slightly.
High School Drop Out Rate
2010 – 2014
Source: Data provided by district
3.1%
2.8%
3.3%
0%
1%
2%
3%
4%
2010 2011 2012 2013 2014
Hig
h S
choo
l Dro
p O
ut R
ate
Year
2.8%
2.2%
33www.dmcouncil.org
In 2014, 22% of high school students were enrolled in at least 1 AP course.
Percent of Sioux Falls Students Enrolled in Advanced Placement Courses
2011 – 2014
Source: Data provided by district
30%
20%
10%
0%
Special EducationLow IncomeOther RaceWhiteOverall Enrollment
2011
2012
2013
2014
% S
tude
nts
Enr
olle
d
34www.dmcouncil.org
Performance Key Findings
Budget:
- Sioux Falls’ per-pupil expenditures have remained steady over the past 5 years.
- Only 7 of South Dakota’s 124 school districts scored higher on the ACT composite and with less per-pupil spending than Sioux Falls.
1
35www.dmcouncil.org
District per-pupil expenditures have remained steady over the past 5 years.
Sioux Falls Per-Pupil Expenditure
Source: Data provided by district
2010 2011 2012 2013 2014
$7,250
$7,350
$7,400
$7,500
$7,450
$7,700
$7,650
$7,600
$7,550
$7,200
$7,150
$7,100
$7,050
$7,000
$7,300
Year
$7,284
$7,538
$7,262
$7,157
Per
-Pup
il E
xpen
ditu
re (
$)
$7,603
36www.dmcouncil.org
Across the district, school operating budgets are adjusted to meet the differing needs of their student populations.
Percentage FRPL Compared to School Per-Pupil Operating Expenditure
Source: School operating budgets provided by district; FRPL data from South Dakota Department of Education
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65 70 75 80 85 90 95 100
$4,500
$5,500
$5,000
$2,500
$3,000
$4,000
$3,500
Per
-Pup
il O
pera
ting
Exp
endi
ture
($)
% FRPL
District Average
Key: Elementary
Middle
High
37www.dmcouncil.org
Out of South Dakota’s 124 school districts, only 7 have a lower per-pupil expenditure and a higher ACT composite score than Sioux Falls.
2014 Per-Pupil Operating Expenditure & ACT Composite Scores
Note: The size of the dot represents the enrollment in the school district; 7 school districts with lower per-pupil expenditure and higher ACT composite scores are: Warner 06-5, Spearfish 40-2, Brandon Valley 49-2, Elk Point-Jefferson 61-7, Yankton 63-3, Brookings 05-1, and Madison Central 39-2.
Source: South Dakota State Department of Education
14.50
15.00
15.50
16.00
16.50
17.00
17.50
18.00
18.50
19.00
19.50
20.00
20.50
21.00
21.50
22.00
22.50
23.00
23.50
24.00
24.50
25.00
19,000$18,00017,000$16,000$10,0009,000$8,0007,000$6,000 15,000$14,00013,000$12,00011,0005,000$4,000
Per-Pupil Operating Expenditure ($)
Sioux Falls 49-5
Rapid City Area 51-4
Yankton 63-3
Brookings 05-1
AC
T C
ompo
site
Sco
re
Brandon Valley 49-2
State Average: 22.0
38www.dmcouncil.org
Compared to large districts in neighboring states, Sioux Falls has the lowest per-pupil expenditure and the highest graduation rates.
2014 4 Year Cohort Graduation Rates Compared to Per-Pupil
Operating Expenditure
Note: The size of the dot represents the enrollment in the school district
Source: South Dakota Department of Education, Nebraska Department of Education, Minnesota Department of Education
40.00
45.00
50.00
55.00
60.00
65.00
70.00
75.00
80.00
85.00
90.00
95.00
$15,000$14,000$13,000$12,000$11,000$10,000$9,000$8,000$7,000$6,000$5,000$4,000
4 Y
ear
Coh
ort G
radu
atio
n R
ate
Per-Pupil Operating Expenditure ($)
Minneapolis Public Schools
Lincoln Public Schools
Sioux Falls 49-5
South Dakota State Average 81%
54%
82%
39www.dmcouncil.org
Executive Summary
Key Quantitative Findings:
Performance:
- Academic: Poverty levels are a strong predictor of performance across all school levels.
- College-Readiness: The percentage of students taking one or more Advanced Placement course has increased, however only 16% are from low income households.
- Budget: The district’s per-pupil expenditures have remained steady over the past 5 years.
Demographics:
- Nearly 33% of Sioux Falls students belong to an ethnic or racial minority, yet only 2% of Sioux Falls teachers come from similar backgrounds.
Behavior:
- Total suspensions have decreased over the past 5 years primarily driven by a decline in in-school suspensions.
1
2
3
40www.dmcouncil.org
Demographics Key Findings
Overall:
- The student enrollment in Sioux Falls has grown over the past 5 years [+1.5% per year].
Student:
- The gap between the state and Sioux Falls for the percentage of students eligible for FRPL has remained steady over the past 5 years.
Teacher:
- Teacher attrition rate has more than doubled over the past 5 years.
- Sioux Falls’ teacher force is significantly less diverse in comparison to its student population
2
41www.dmcouncil.org
The district enrollment has been steadily growing over the past five years.
District Enrollment
2010 – 2014
Note: This enrollment analysis does not
Source: South Dakota Department of Education
23,034
22,602
22,342
21,999
20,000
20,500
21,000
21,500
22,000
22,500
23,000
23,500
24,000
2010 2011 2012 2013 2014
# of
stu
dent
s en
rolle
d
Year
21,390
1.5% growth each year over the past 5 years
42www.dmcouncil.org
Overall, enrollment in lower grades has increased over the past five years.
Enrollment by Grade
2010 – 2014
GradeCompound annual
growth rateK 2.0%1 2.6%2 3.4%3 3.4%4 2.5%5 1.5%6 2.1%7 1.8%8 0.4%9 0.5%10 0.0%11 -1.6%12 0.3%
Grade 12
Grade 3
Grade 2
Grade 11
Compounded annual growth rate is the year on year growth rate over a specified period of time.
Source: South Dakota Department of Education
2010 2011 2012 2013 20141300
1400
1500
1600
1700
1800
1900
2000
2100
# of
stu
dent
s en
rolle
d
Year
43www.dmcouncil.org
The gap between the state and Sioux Falls for the percentage of students eligible for FRPL has remained steady.
Percentage of Students Eligible for FRPL
2011 – 2014
Source: South Dakota Department of Education; data from 2010 was not available.
0
10
20
30
40
50
42%
2013
33%
49%
2012 2014
30%
35%
48%
2011
35%
46%
Year
% o
f stu
dent
s el
igib
le fo
r F
RP
L
Dis
tric
t
Sta
te
44www.dmcouncil.org
However, compared to large school districts in neighboring states, Sioux Falls has less students who are free and reduced priced lunch eligible.
Demographics in Sioux Falls Compared to Other Districts
Source: South Dakota Department of Education, Nebraska Department of Education, Minnesota Department of Education
42
33
15
32
7
44
49
24
65
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
45
50
55
60
65
%
Non-WhiteELLFRPL
SF
SD
23
,96
4 s
tud
en
ts
Lin
co
ln3
9,0
66
stu
de
nts
Min
ne
ap
oli
s3
5,3
56
stu
de
nts
45www.dmcouncil.org
Sioux Falls’ teacher attrition rates have more than doubled over the past 5 years.
Sioux Falls Teacher Attrition Rates
2010 – 2014
Note: Attrition rate does not include retirements.
Source: Data provided by district
5.8%5.6%
4.1%
4.4%
2.0%
0.0%
0.5%
1.0%
1.5%
2.0%
2.5%
3.0%
3.5%
4.0%
4.5%
5.0%
5.5%
6.0%
201420112010
Ave
rage
Tea
cher
Attr
ition
Rat
e
20132012
46www.dmcouncil.org
Sioux Falls’ teaching force is significantly less diverse than the student population with some groups almost not represented entirely.
Minority Representation: Student vs. Teacher Populations
2014
Source: Data provided by district
American Indian/AlaskanNative
5.0%
Asian
4.0%
67.0%
4.0%
Multi-Racial
Hispanic
9.0%
Black 11.0%
White
97.0%White
Student Diversity Teacher Diversity
Hispanic American Indian/Alaskan Native
47www.dmcouncil.org
Executive Summary
Key Quantitative Findings:
Performance:
- Academic: Poverty levels are a strong predictor of performance across all school levels.
- College-Readiness: The percentage of students taking one or more Advanced Placement course has increased, however only 16% are from low income households.
- Budget: The district’s per-pupil expenditures have remained steady over the past 5 years.
Demographics:
- Nearly 33% of Sioux Falls students belong to an ethnic or racial minority, yet only 2% of Sioux Falls teachers come from similar backgrounds.
Behavior:
- Total suspensions have decreased over the past 5 years primarily driven by a decline in in-school suspensions.
3
1
2
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Behavior Key Findings
- Total suspensions have decreased over the past 5 years primarily driven by a decline in in-school suspensions.
3
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In-school suspensions have gradually decreased over the past 5 years, and out-of-school suspensions have remained steady.
SFSD In-School & Out-of-School Suspension Rates
Source: Data provided by district
2.0
2.5
3.0
3.5
4.0
4.5
5.0
5.5
6.0
6.5
7.0
7.5
8.0
2010 2011 2012 2013 2014
Year
Out-of-School Suspension
In-School Suspension
4.0%
4.8%
3.5%
5.3%
3.3%
6.2%
4.1%
6.8%
4.2%
7.5%
Sus
pens
ion
Rat
es
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Agenda
Introduction & review of strategic planning process 60 min
Key findings from quantitative needs assessment 60 min
Key themes from qualitative needs assessment 30 min
Break 15 min
Closing and next steps 15 min
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Agenda
Introduction & review of strategic planning process 60 min
Key findings from quantitative needs assessment 60 min
Key themes from qualitative needs assessment 30 min
Break 15 min
Closing and next steps 15 min
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Around 50 different stakeholders participated in focus groups to provide qualitative insights on district performance.
Stakeholders Interviewed
Stakeholders Interviewed
Central Office
Teachers & Instructional
Coaches
PrincipalsSchool Board
Members
Parents
• Assessment, Technology, & Information Services
• Business Manager & Community Relations
• Curriculum, HR & Legal, Specials, ELL, and Operational Services
• Elementary Level
• Secondary Level
• Specialized Programs
• Kent Alberty, President
• Carly Reiter
• Students from all levels
• Students in specialized programs
• PTA representation
• Elementary, Middle, and High Schools
• Specialized Programs
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3 key questions were asked in the focus groups to help uncover the district’s strengths and opportunities for improvement.
Focus Group Questions
• What do you believe is going well in the district?
• What do you believe are some opportunities for improvement?
• If you could name your top 3 priorities for the district in the years to come, what would they be?3
2
1
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Sioux Falls has many areas of strength to build upon.
Things Going Well in the District
Dedicated & passionate staff
Opportunities for multiple pathways
High expectations for students
• Sioux Falls staff members are dedicated to their students and proud of the district and its achievements
DescriptionKey Themes
Comprehensive supports for new
teachers
• The district offers a wide variety of pathway options for students (e.g., Spanish immersion programs, Honors program, etc.) although they are not continuous through K-12
• Sioux Falls has a culture of high expectations where “good enough” is not part of their vocabulary
• The district provides numerous supports for new teachers such as instructional coaches, well documented curriculum for each subject, etc.
• Sioux Falls has invested significantly in its buildings and other facilities (e.g., technology access with 1:1 devices) although the technology infrastructure may require some upgradation (reports of connectivity issues are common)
1
High quality facilities
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Opportunities for improvement focused on need for increasing supports for the student population.
Opportunities for Improvement (1 of 2)
• Elementary reading performance is lower than the state average
• There is large variation in performance across schools, e.g. graduation rates vary significantly across high schools
• Recruitment of high quality staff is becoming increasingly difficult with a continuously shrinking pool of candidates
• Teacher attrition is on the rise potentially due to lower salaries compared to adjoining states
DescriptionKey Themes
• Number of behavior related incidents have increased significantly over the past year, especially at the elementary level
• The number of programs offering behavior supports may not be sufficient to serve growing student needs
2
Student achievement
Teacher recruitment and retention
Increasing need for social-emotional
supports
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A number of district-level areas of opportunity also emerged from focus group discussions.
Opportunities for Improvement (2 of 2)
• Unclear and scattered communication approaches with families, e.g. through website, apps and no paper pamphlets
• Perception of limited transparency between the central office, schools, and community.
• Limited resources and avenues for communicating with and supporting families from differing cultural or socio-economic backgrounds
• Need for system level changes, e.g. change in boundaries and open enrollment policies, institution of leadership positions focusing on reduction in gaps in student achievement, investment in early ed. or summer learning programs, etc.
DescriptionKey Themes
2
Unclear communication
Insufficient district readiness for changing student demographics
and needs
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Stakeholders suggested increasing supports for students and teachers as key priority areas.
Priorities
• Expand access to specific programs, e.g., early childhood, behavior supports, etc.
• Tailor supports for students based on the specific needs of student groups
• Utilize expertise of instructional coaches to provide differentiated supports to students
Strengthening Supports for Struggling Students
• Strengthen teacher recruitment and retention using non-monetary incentives such as flexible schedules, professional development, etc.
• Create a system for recognition of exceptional staff members
Strengthening Supports for Teachers
Engaging the Community
• Use offline and online communication channels to promote communication and collaboration with community members
• Promote awareness among community members around key district issues
• Create systems to share information and best practices with schools around meeting student needs
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Agenda
Introduction & review of strategic planning process 60 min
Key findings from quantitative needs assessment 60 min
Key themes from qualitative needs assessment 30 min
Break 15 min
Closing and next steps 15 min
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The steering committee will now begin drafting different elements of the strategic plan.
Next Steps
• The steering committee will begin drafting the different elements of the strategic plan
• Once an initial draft of the strategic plan is complete, it will be shared with internal and external district stakeholders for input and feedback
• Information on the strategic plan progress and process will also be available on the district website
What happens next?