CONTENTS FOR EVALUATING OR DEVELOPING PUBLIC SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT PLANS
SCHOOL PLAN CONTENTS
BASELINE
FOR USE IN EVALUATING OR DEVELOPING
THE CONTENTS OF A SCHOOL’S PLANS
INTRODUCTION
The following plan content baseline is for use in evaluating and scoring the contents of a school's plans. The contents are expected to result from effective application of an effective, documented planning process. Inclusion of the plan contents presented should be helpful in achieving improved planning performance as well as taxpayer support of school improvement initiatives. Each item should be scored as: EXCELLENT, ADEQUATE OR DEFICIENT
PLAN CONTENTS
1. A discussion of how the plan supports the MISSION STATEMENT.
2. A discussion of how the plan supports the STRATEGY STATEMENT.
3. A discussion of how the plan is influenced and based upon the expectations for improved performance, rather than a continuation of existing performance levels. The plan must address effective use of electronic teaching centers and bringing school to the student, rather than bringing the student to school. Development of student skills that match work place and upper education requirements must be addressed in the plan.
4. Consideration and discussion for how home-schooling, Electronic (distance)-schooling, charter schools, private schools, vouchers etc., will effect future enrollments and planned student achievement expectations.
5. A clear, concise presentation of the measurable purpose(s), outcomes and scope of the plan. Stating the expected outcomes in measurable form facilitates development of performance measures (numbers) that are addressed below.
6. A diagram, such as an organizational chart, that shows specifically how the plan supports the mission statement and fits within the planning hierarchy. A discussion of how the plan will be integrated with other plans--including those of neighboring tax supported organizations and the concepts of electronic schooling/distance learning.
7. A discussion of how the plan addresses feed back data from prior graduates. This discussion explains how the plan accomplishes any scholastic or other improvements needed to produce student skills for the workplace or higher education..
8. A diagram or table that lists all of the processes involved (especially instruction process) and a detailed discussion of how those processes will be impacted or improved.
9. Charts and discussion that clearly describe the expected results, including improved student achievement. Note: Improved student achievement means that students are learning more, or learning faster, at equal or less cost per student.
10. A chart, discussion and/or table that shows the performance measures (numbers) that will be used to verify successful achievement of expected outcomes. The significance of using performance numbers is clearly stated by W. T. (Lord) Kelvin (1891) Popular Lectures and Addresses “....WHEN YOU CAN MEASURE WHAT YOU ARE SPEAKING ABOUT AND CAN EXPRESS IT IN NUMBERS, YOU KNOW SOMETHING ABOUT IT, BUT WHEN YOU CANNOT EXPRESS IT IN NUMBERS YOUR KNOWLEDGE IS OF A MEAGRE AND UNSATISFACTORY KIND.”
11. A description of the quality control system that will prevent and punish cheating—including the name of the person in charge, and the person’s authority.
12. The name of the person or specific group leader accountable for preparing the plan.
13. The name of the person or specific group leader accountable for executing the plan.
14. Identification of the significant benefactors or customers of the plan and a convincing discussion of how they will benefit when the plan is implemented.
15. A complete list of the sources of all required resources and the quantity of resources required to implement the plan.
16. A comprehensive discussion of the processes that are either involved, to be developed or to be improved. The importance of processes cannot be overemphasized. They are fundamental to achievement of the Mission Statement and should be treated as such in the plan. As stated earlier--processes should do most of the work--not people.
17. A clear presentation of the alternatives to the planned approach, including a convincing discussion of the superiority of the planned approach to the alternatives. A specific statement of the expected impact on improved student achievement and achievement of specific skills.
18. A cost benefit analysis--that shows the plan’s total cost and its impact on improving student achievement
19. A discussion of the risks involved and how those risks will be managed so that they won’t compromise successful implementation of the plan
20. A discussion and recommendation concerning the use of a pilot implementation prior to full scale implementation of the plan.
21. A discussion and recommendation concerning the need for preparation and use of a recovery plan to remedy any loss or damage, to student achievement for example, that may be incurred if the plan fails to achieve its stated objectives.
22. A discussion of compliance with all laws, regulations and ordinances if any, that must be met.
23. A discussion of the planned pursuit of relief from any laws, regulations or ordinances that present obstacles to achieving improved student achievement or other planned outcomes.
24. A comprehensive schedule that includes all significant milestones, decision points and the end event
25. Written concurrence from benefactor and user representatives.
26. Written concurrence from representatives of those providing resources and funding.
27. Approval signature(s) for the plan.
28. The release or start date for executing the plan.
COMMENT: Inclusion of the above contents in a plan is expected to cover many of the significant elements of a successful plan. Other items should be included as appropriate.