ELBERT COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT SYSTEM IMPROVEMENT PLAN

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1 ELBERT COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT SYSTEM IMPROVEMENT PLAN The long range goal of the Elbert County School District is the successful preparation and graduation of every student. By 2016, 90 percent or more of Elbert County students will graduate having mastered the skills they need to succeed as 21 st Century learners, workers, and citizens. Strategic Objective 1 Elbert County Schools will maintain and communicate at all levels of the organization a purpose and direction for continuous improvement that commit to high expectations for learning as well as shared values and beliefs about teaching and learning. Complete all AdvancED Internal Review processes, including developing/defining the school district s mission, vision, and beliefs. Host an AdvancED External Review Team (October 5-7, 2015) to achieve full district accreditation. Build the school district s leadership capacity through participation in the Georgia Leadership Institute for School Improvement (GLISI) Base Camp and Leadership Summit (Cohort 48).

2 Partner with GLISI and the Georgia School Superintendents Association (GSSA), to conduct a comprehensive strategic planning process that leads to a new strategic improvement plan for the school district. The District Leadership Team will provide oversight of the District's strategic plan, promote collaboration and shared leadership, and ensure transparency in the District. Utilize school improvement leadership teams to analyze data, set school priorities for continuous improvement, and track the progress of student groups throughout the year. Establish a District Data Team to focus its efforts on developing and aligning district-wide strategies to ensure a coherent and focused approach to improving student achievement. Strategic Objective 2 Each Elbert County school will improve achievement for all students while closing achievement gaps for identified student subgroups. Students will meet or exceed state standards by demonstrating mastery of a rigorous curriculum that provides a foundation for success in career readiness or college preparedness and beyond. System-wide implementation (Year 3) of Elbert County s non-negotiable best practices known as The Core Essentials. District-wide (K-12) implementation of the GraduateFIRST Program--an identification and monitoring system for students at risk of failure, dropping out of school, or of not graduating in four years. District Learning Walks (Year 2) will be conducted to monitor the implementation of The Core Essentialsand professional learning practices, highlight promising practices, identify challenges, and make suggestions for improvement. Support teachers in using the State Longitudinal Data System (SLDS) and other technology to analyze student data and integrate the use of technology with instructional strategies.

3 Support instructional staff by providing Response to Intervention (RTI) support and assistance at the school level (implementation) and teacher level (instruction and assessment). Provide Coordinated Early Intervening Services (CEIS) to students (with particular emphasis on students in kindergarten through grade three) who are not currently identified as needing special education or related services, but who need additional academic and behavioral supports to succeed in the general education environment. Expand high school credit opportunities in middle school. Students in grades 9-12 will be provided college-level learning opportunities, including Advanced Placement courses, in the four core subject areas English, math, science, and social studies. Continue expanding non-traditional learning opportunities such as before/after school programs, dual enrollment, credit recovery, and web-based instruction. In grades 6-12, introduce blended learning (using Apex Learning) as a way to improve student outcomes by combining digital content with face-to-face classroom instruction. Provide age-appropriate counseling, career awareness, and information to assist students in evaluating their academic skills and career interests. The district s curriculum and assessment goals will be supported by strategic investment in Information and Communications Technology (ICT) infrastructure and devices.

4 Strategic Objective 3 Elbert County Schools' curriculum, instructional design, and assessment practices will guide and ensure teacher effectiveness and student learning across all grades and courses. Define, develop, and promote effective teaching practices that maximize rigor and meaningful engagement for all students. Ensure curriculum maps, lesson plans, and common assessments reflect the rigor and performance required the by the CCGPS/GPS. In all K-12 classrooms, students are reading, writing, and solving problems regularly. They are doing work of high cognitive demand to help them reach proficiency. Recognize individual and group differences among students and accommodate those differences by managing and facilitating flexible student-centered instruction. Monitor student progress at all levels using formative (formal and informal) and summative assessments. Use a variety of assessments and performance-based tasks to monitor, assess, and adjust instruction to support student learning. Ensure that collaborative planning is a systemic process (K-12), that is data-driven and tied to instructional practices.

5 School Data Teams will adhere to continuous improvement cycles, examine patterns and trends, and establish specific timelines, roles, and responsibilities to facilitate analysis that results in action. Support improved academic outcomes by focusing on continued implementation (Year 2) of Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS) with fidelity and outcome documentation. Increase the cultural competence of teachers/staff in order to address the learning needs of minority students (including English Language Learners). Devote sufficient resources to effectively provide teachers/staff with quality professional learning learning that translates to the use of new knowledge and skills in the classroom. Administrators will monitor the instruction taking place in their schools by being in classrooms daily, and observing and discussing work with teachers and students. Strategic Objective 4 Elbert County Schools will deliver high quality services, structures, and processes that maximize available resources and ensure high levels of learning for all students. Create organizational structures, including the District Leadership Team and District Data Team, to support district and school-based continuous improvement efforts. Provide all Elbert County School District employees with a document (Employee Handbook) that includes important information and references to Board policies, regulations, and procedures. Implement a recruitment plan that ensures all teachers and paraprofessionals are highly qualified as required and defined by law. The plan will also support the recruitment and retention of minority teachers and paraprofessionals.

6 The Elbert County School District Teacher Induction Program will provide structured and regular support for beginning and transitioning teachers. Complete each fiscal year within budget and in compliance with accountability requirements. Administer needs assessments and use the resulting data to develop and implement a technology plan to improve technology services and infrastructure. Use audit findings (May 2015) to implement an action plan designed to improve bus transportation operations, cut costs, and create efficiencies. Expand implementation (Year 3) of the Community Eligibility Option to offer meals at no charge to students at Blackwell Learning Center, ECPS, ECES, and ECMS. Partner with the Georgia Emergency Management Agency (GEMA) and the Elbert County Emergency Management Agency to effectively implement up-to-date school emergency operation plans. Strategic Objective 5 Elbert County Schools will create opportunities for parents, community, and business leaders to fulfill their essential roles as actively engaged partners in supporting student achievement and outcomes for student success. Use Title I School-wide/School Improvement Plans to develop and implement strategies for increasing parent engagement. Conduct parent conference days (October 19 and February 16) to provide parents timely information, including individual student assessment results and interpretations of those results.

7 Promote methods of communication that facilitate parent involvement in the learning and achievement of their children (e.g., website, parent portal, social media, etc.). Use One Call Now, the district s automated notification system, to send targeted notifications via phone calls, , and text blasts. Provide volunteer opportunities to parents for mentoring, tutoring, assisting in classrooms, chaperoning field trips and extra-curricular activities. Provide refreshments, door prizes, and transportation at selected events in order to promote parent attendance. Expand partnerships with business and community leaders. Provide training and resources to staff members to build connections and partnerships in the community. Respect the diversity of all stakeholders.