I. The Learning Environment

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1 SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT PLANNING The school year will be the beginning of a new five year cycle regarding the AdvancED accreditation and school improvement planning (SIP) process. This past year, District and building level educational goals, as well as all programs and services were evaluated both internally and externally regarding school accountability. The District has been notified by AdvancED and the ISBE that all schools have again achieved full recognition and accreditation status. Plans are underway to implement the District s continuous school improvement planning regarding teaching & learning. The AdvancED process is student and data driven and allows for the District to guide students to show growth both academically and socially. To achieve accreditation, schools must meet AdvancED s seven (7) quality standards, be evaluated by a team of professionals from outside the school, and engage in continuous school improvement focused on increasing student performance. The seven quality standards are: 1) Vision & Purpose; 2) Governance and Leadership; 3) Teaching and Learning; 4) Documenting and Using Results; 5) Resources and Support Systems; 6) Stakeholder Communication and Relationships; and 7) Commitment to Continuous Improvement. The District has and will continue to develop strategies to capitalize on our strengths as well as to address areas to improve. Since the plans inception, the District has planned, organized, and implemented strategies for improvement. The following illustrates various educational goals and indicators of meeting the goal during the school year: = Indicator of Meeting Goal I. The Learning Environment A. Evaluate the EXPLORE, FACS & IT curriculum and programs at SMS & SHS. The Middle and High School SIP teams studied current offerings and compared programs with other districts. The High School examined options to implement intergovernmental agreements with other school districts to maximize curriculum offerings such as IT courses. SIP teams continue to study methods to modernize the program and curriculum. Discussion occurs between SMS & SHS regarding sharing certified staff to deliver the curriculum between schools. The SMS & SHS administration presented information during BOE meetings. Programming has been reviewed and researched to enhance enrollment. The HS continues to work with Waubonsee CC to enhance dual credit offerings. The administration surveyed parents and students regarding the program and curriculum. The District attends annual meetings with Waubonsee CC to continue dialog with offerings for dual credit, scholarships, Plano Campus offerings and any advantages for the High School to utilize what Waubonsee has to offer its surrounding High Schools. Students have the option to attend WCC during the day to take college level courses. B. Evaluate the middle school concept and its effectiveness on teaching and learning. The administration presented the concept during communication night and evaluated input from participants. The SMS staff & administration presented information during a BOE meeting to share thoughts and recommendations of the concept. SMS surveyed parents, students and the staff regarding the middle school concept and its effectiveness. C. Explore increasing the implementation of certified Advanced Placement courses. SHS will add two new AP course offerings during the school year AP Comparative Government and AP Calculus. The SHS SIP team is examining the addition of a future AP courses such as AP Literature, AP Grammar and AP Psychology. D. Review long term uses of purchased property regarding programs and services.

2 The administration continues to monitor growth and development and the BOE is positioned to formally use the property when the need arises. A conceptual design has been completed by the architect and includes input from the BOE, administration, staff and citizens involved in the long-term growth committee. E. Plan improvements of buildings, grounds and facilities. Work requests are submitted to the maintenance department for timely completion. The administration continues to investigate the concept of a keyless entry system. The administration is exploring the feasibility of video surveillance beginning in upper grades first. The facility assessment plan is reviewed on an on-going basis to budget for and prioritize work to be completed. The computer server room has been upgraded with proper ventilation units to maximize operational efficiency. Electrical work was completed to install a donated computer server blade. Summer roof and masonry renovation work is in progress at HED and SHS. New softball dugouts will be installed over the summer due to 100% donations. F. Develop action plans for students in the "does not meet" and "academic warning" categories of ISAT/PSAE assessments; and action plans to meet at or above state ACT benchmarks. The staff and administration SIP teams review data to capitalize on strengths and address gaps in the curriculum. The administration and staff plans and schedules numerous interventions to address those students in need. SIP teams are planning to add additional EXPLORE & PLAN tests to better place students in high school classes as well as to measure student growth i.e. administer the EXPLORE test to all 8 th graders in the fall; then again in the fall of their freshman year to measure growth. Administer the PLAN test during the spring of their freshmen year and again during the fall of their sophomore year to measure growth. Administer a practice ACT test the spring of their sophomore year and again during the fall of their junior year to measure growth. Continue to assess all students especially at the elementary level using MAP, Lexile, Aimsweb, etc. to provide interventions before the State tests to help struggling students. Implemented options to improve vertical and horizontal articulation such as release time during the day; and the use of SIP days. Examining the use of additional K-12 common assessments to measure student growth and provide longitudinal data. II. Evaluation and Accountability A. Explore various performance growth evaluation instruments within the learning community to address state rules and regulations; as well as for non-certified and extra-curricular activities. Planned a Danielson evaluation workshop to train all administrators on a model of evaluation. The staff and administration has been encouraged to attend regional PERA and PEAC training sessions to keep current on the new changes. The District studied and adopted a random drug screening program and policy for 7-12 grade students. The SHS & SMS administration will examine various evaluation instruments for coaches and those sponsoring extracurricular activities. The district will examine non-certified staff evaluations. B. Study effective methods of modifying the curriculum in all areas to address gaps and known student achievement concerns. Power Standards for K-12 are developed to address common core standards. Horizontal & vertical articulation continues to be planned and organized across the district. The District added SIP days next year to include additional time for grade level meetings to discuss power standards and common core assessments. The District continues to move forward with classroom walkthrough observations to promote the fidelity and integrity in the accurate instruction of the Power Standards and the alignment to Common Core Standards. C. Complete implementation of Edline procedures.

3 Edline procedures and expectations are communicated to the staff regularly. The administration continues to monitor staff usage. The PD committee administered and reviewed survey results from parents and teachers regarding Edline. The technology department provided ongoing support to all staff and parents throughout the school year. III. Employee Relationships & Internal Communication Staff Recruitment & Professional Development A. Through the IBB process, analyze and discuss the implementation of Senate Bill 7 regarding school reform. The PERA Joint Committee is in place with administrators and SCTA staff equally represented. PERA is addressed during annual IBB meetings with the SCTA. PERA & PEAC information was presented during the October, 2011 BOE meeting. Administration shares with all staff various information about new developments of Senate Bill 7, PERA & PEAC. Administrators are enrolled in the ISBE mandatory evaluation training over the summer. SB 7 groupings were provided to certified staff last spring. B. Support professional development opportunities for all administrators and staff. The district professional development committee plans learning and networking opportunities and seeks input from all staff to guide planning, training and other workshop activities. PD opportunities are now available online and all staff and substitutes are encouraged to participate. IV. Funding & Finance A. Monitor revenues and expenditures; examine the budget for potential cost savings and reductions; and maintain positive fund balances. Revenues and expenditures are monitored on a daily basis at the building and district level. The BOE receives financial reports monthly. Spending is prioritized and a procedure is in place regarding the approval process for purchases. The budget and independent audit are completed in a timely fashion. The District continues to implement the established budget building process. B. Encourage staff to seek and write competitive grants to supplement school funding. Staff & administrators are encouraged to seek and they do write numerous grant proposals. Grant ideas and online resources are shared. DeKalb County Community Foundation Grants are written and approved. The District applied for a $25K Monsanto grant to enhance technology. The District received a $50,000 maintenance grant for roof repair work. V. Technology A. Examine the feasibility of a rotating purchase of lap-top computers for all administrators and staff. The Technology Department has researched the feasibility of the District replacing lap top computers on a 3 year rotation. A low interest technology loan program was approved by ISBE; however not able to be funded at the state level. B. Enhance the implementation of the electronic registration and fee payment process.

4 The Technology Department has up-dated online procedures to register and pay fees; and will explore options to add credit card / swiping machines at the building level. The District is examining the option of parents either receiving their report cards online; or a hard copy. C. Enhance and implement paperless Board of Education meeting packets. Since summer 2011, paperless meeting packets have been utilized. Paperless packets have reduced costs such as paper supplies and copying. Paperless packets have improved efficiency and time management for personnel. D. Successfully implement the DeKalb County fiber optics program. The District has officially entered into an agreement with the fiber optic program. The Technology Department works with NIU officials regarding implementation. District technology officials attended City Council meetings to promote implementation of the fiber optic program. E. Examine methods to enhance the Local Area Network to better service teaching and learning needs. The District has proceeded with a network upgrade along with the wireless UPS installations. Technology tickets are used to access faculty work requests and improve efficiency of response time when technology problems occur. VI. External Communication: Parent & Community Involvement / Governmental & Public Alliances A. Enhance and host the Community & Schools be a part of the experience presentation; and utilize various media outlets to communicate District information. The 2 nd annual event was hosted in October, Parents and citizens were surveyed regarding the event. Local media such as newspapers and the radio are used weekly to publicize events. B. Research the implementation of a District wide handbook (general and school specific) and electronic newsletter. An online e-bulletin District news blast was implemented in October, The administration has all handbooks linked to the website. The District is examining the option of providing families with a choice to either receive a hard copy of the handbook; or to review the handbook on-line. C. Provide and link public information and documents to the District s webpage. Board policy, agendas, minutes, forms, registration fee and lunch payments, newsletters, e-bulletin, PPA meeting minutes, links to IVVC, city, park district, library, ISBE, etc. are located on the webpage. D. Explore and enhance college and career readiness programs targeting 8 th grade students/parents through high school. Implementing E-pass will assist students in exploring career opportunities. The administration examined career cruising units in 8 th grade. One-on-One meetings are held with parents, students and guidance counselors to discuss career options. During the annual communication night, college and career readiness ideas were presented. Parent nights continue to be offered.

5 E. Enhance uses of the Alert-Now automated phone system. All building administrators have access to post Alert Now messages via phone or . The administration is examining various other purposes of posting to Alert Now messages such as sending an to update parents of their students current lunch balance. AlertNow is utilized to announce and highlight District events (such as p/t conferences, open house, Community Night, registration reminders, etc.).