TABLE OF CONTENTS Superintendent s Letter...2 Introduction...3 Strategic Planning Committee...4 Mission-Vision-Values Statements...5 Strategic Plan...6 Strategic Plan Survey...7 Strategic Plan Survey Data...9 1
Bedford Billerica Burlington Tewksbury Wilmington SHAWSHEEN VALLEY TECHNICAL HIGH SCHOOL 100 Cook Street, Billerica, Massachusetts 01821-5499 Internet Address: www.shawsheen.tec.ma.us CHARLES LYONS Superintendent-Director Tel.: (978) 671-3602 (978) 667-2111 Fax: (978) 671-3802 (978) 663-6272 April, 2014 The Shawsheen Valley Regional Vocational/Technical School District is pleased to present its Strategic Plan A Pathway to Student Success, Student Achievement and Student Celebration. This plan was developed by a group of dedicated volunteers who represented parents, teachers, administrators, program advisory members and representatives from our communities who met several times over the past year. A community-wide survey helped assure that a plan was developed that represented the needs and opinions of the District. The goals and action items outlined in this Strategic Plan will serve to provide direction to the school leadership team over the next five years. Like the development of this Plan, the responsibility for achieving these goals does not lie solely with school personnel. The involvement and commitment of staff, parents and citizens working together to implement this Strategic Plan is an integral part of our future. The level of excellence that is expected for the students of the Shawsheen Valley Regional Vocational/Technical School District will remain our main focus as we work through the Strategic Plan. The level of involvement of staff, parents, program advisory members and citizens has been critical to this process. that this involvement will continue as we work together to face any challenges that lie ahead. It is my hope Sincerely, Charles Lyons Superintendent-Director 2
Introduction Shawsheen Valley Regional Vocational Technical School District (hereafter referred to as Shawsheen Tech) is a studentcentered institution. We serve the five towns of Billerica, Bedford, Burlington, Tewksbury and Wilmington. Shawsheen Tech holds its mission statement and philosophy at the forefront to create a positive, safe learning environment and school culture that represents respect for the vocational learning experience. With a student population of nearly 1,400 students, the district boasts 23 vocational/technical career pathways (Auto Collision Repair & Refinishing, Automotive Technology, Carpentry, Cosmetology, Culinary Arts, Dental Assisting, Design & Visual Communications, Drafting, Electricity, Electronics, Graphic Communications, Health Assisting, Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration, Information Support Services & Networking, Machine Tool Technology, Marketing, Masonry & Tile Setting, Medical Assisting, Metal Fabrication & Joining Technologies, Office Technology, Plumbing and Programming & Web Development) along with a rigorous academic sequence of Mathematics, English, Social Studies, Science and Physical Education. The staff are committed and dedicated to student achievements, student success and student celebration. Additionally, Shawsheen Tech possesses an impressive Cooperative placement program; which consists of industry partners both within and surrounding our Shawsheen communities. This Strategic Plan serves as a 5 year road map for what the planning committee believes should be the future of Shawsheen Tech. The goals drafted collectively by this committee were enthusiastically supported by staff, community members and parents through a detailed survey. Shawsheen Tech s Strategic Plan is comprehensive, innovative and undoubtedly student centered by both maintaining and enhancing our remarkable student success. 3
Strategic Planning Committee Patricia Meuse, Esq, School Committee Member Deborah Kostas, School Committee Member Carissa Karakaedos, Assistant Superintendent-Director Russ Eckel, Workforce Development Coordinator Karen Meister, Health Instructor Terry Doherty, Plumbing Instructor Kevin Bloom, English Department Chair Jim Marshall, Program Advisory Representative Paul Troisi, Program Advisory Representative Margaret Riley, Parent Representative Bob Guelli, Manufacturing Cluster Department Chair Tim Broadrick, Director of Technical Programs 4
Shawsheen Valley Regional Vocational Technical School District MISSION The Shawsheen Valley Regional Technical School District will offer a high school experience that optimizes student aptitude, achievement and skills by integrating vocational-technical and academic curricula, in order to prepare students to begin adult life and careers immediately and independently. VISION We envision that the Shawsheen Valley Regional Vocational Technical School District will: Expect students to reach high academic and technical achievement standards Promote decision-making based upon the analysis of data and related information Employ a faculty that is highly qualified and models adult careers Maintain a state of the art facility that meets industry standards in every field Practice sound and responsible fiscal management to provide appropriate resources for instruction Foster community partnerships for the purpose of community service and integrating work experience with school programs VALUES Students of all abilities can learn Learning benefits from knowledge being combined with application Instruction is dependent upon a well-trained, caring, competent faculty and staff Support services are important to the enhancement of learning Involvement of parents and guardians is essential to student growth and success Students are nurtured to become reflective, moral and ethical citizens 5
Shawsheen Valley Technical High School Strategic Plan Goals and Action Steps Goal: Celebrate Shawsheen s accomplishments and achievements Action Steps Form a group that is charged with displaying student work throughout the district building Enhance district website to include employer testimonial page Engage district in social media to enhance advertising/positive image with the communities Develop strategies to maintain current student enrollment (i.e. out of district acceptance, outreaching to collaborative programs, METCO) Goal: Research, develop and coordinate an authentic and measureable assessment system that proves evidence of academic and vocational competency Action Steps Develop district wide District Determine Measures as part of the new teacher evaluation system. Form a job readiness committee to evaluate student preparedness for transition into industry/trades (for example: resumes, interviews by employers, portfolio, interview prep days and career testing) Form a committee to explore assessments approved by industry/post-secondary entities (Accuplacer, ServSafe, Microsoft programs) Employ a new student information system that encompasses all aspects of communication between the district and parents. Goal: Create a pathway between grades 9-12 and post graduate opportunities/certification Action Steps Explore a 5 th year for students encompassing trade skills or degree/certification options Formalize a post-secondary articulation agreement program via an in district coordinator Develop a formal student to student tutoring program (Skills USA and National Honor Society) Goal: Foster a professional work environment encompassing peer-to-peer mentoring, trust and collegial respect centered around organizational excellence. Action Steps Develop an industrial coaching/peer coaching model Develop and pilot a peer coaching model of Professional Development among faculty Develop a train-the-trainer Professional Development in house program Explore district wide safety initiatives via forming a safety task force Goal: Enhance student academic support through the use of technology, communication, collaboration and innovation. Action Steps Create a technology device task force to explore ways in which technology can be used in the classroom responsibly (ipad and hand held) Form a technology communication committee to explore ways to enhance communication between district/communities and parents (expand web page, monthly newsletter, expanded interaction with middle schools) Explore remote/virtual capabilities for teacher/student interaction virtual classroom lectures 6
Shawsheen Valley Technical High School Strategic Plan Survey A planning committee including school committee members, staff, parents and community members has been charged with developing a 5 year Strategic Plan for Shawsheen Valley Technical High School. The following is a survey intended to provide feedback to the committee in its development of goals and action steps to achieve those goals. Your part in completing this survey is greatly appreciated as your thoughtful input will undoubtedly be valued as part of the formal goal and action planning process. Thank you in advance for your participation. Goal: Celebrate Shawsheen s accomplishments and achievements Form a group that is charged with displaying student work throughout the district building Enhance district website to include employer testimonial page Engage district in social media to enhance advertising/positive image with the communities Develop strategies to maintain current student enrollment (i.e. out of district acceptance, outreaching to collaborative programs, METCO) Goal: Research, develop and coordinate an authentic and measureable assessment system that proves evidence of academic and vocational competency Develop district wide District Determine Measures as part of the new teacher evaluation system. Form a job readiness committee to evaluate student preparedness for transition into industry/trades (for example: resumes, interviews by employers, portfolio, interview prep days and career testing) Form a committee to explore assessments approved by industry/post-secondary entities (Accuplacer, ServSafe, Microsoft programs) Employ a new student information system that encompasses all aspects of communication between the district and parents. Goal: Create a pathway between grades 9-12 and post graduate opportunities/certification Explore a 5 th year for students encompassing trade skills or degree/certification options Formalize a post-secondary articulation agreement program via an in district coordinator Develop a formal student to student tutoring program (Skills USA and National Honor Society) 7
Goal: Foster a professional work environment encompassing peer-to-peer mentoring, trust and collegial respect centered around organizational excellence. Develop an industrial coaching/peer coaching model Develop and pilot a peer coaching model of Professional Development among faculty Develop a train-the-trainer Professional Development in house program Explore district wide safety initiatives via forming a safety task force Goal: Enhance student academic support through the use of technology, communication, collaboration and innovation. Create a technology device task force to explore ways in which technology can be used in the classroom responsibly (ipad and hand held) Form a technology communication committee to explore ways to enhance communication between district/communities and parents (expand web page, monthly newsletter, expanded interaction with middle schools) Explore remote/virtual capabilities for teacher/student interaction virtual classroom lectures 8
Shawsheen Valley Technical High School Strategic Plan Survey Results Goal: Celebrate Shawsheen s accomplishments and achievements Total Average Rating Form a group that is charged with displaying student work throughout the district building 48% 48 47% 47 1% 1 4% 4 100 1.61 Enhance district website to include employer testimonial page 42.42% 42 42.42% 42 2.02% 2 13.13% 13 99 1.86 Engage district in social media to enhance advertising/positive image with the communities 42.42% 42 48.48% 48 2.02% 2 7.07% 7 99 1.74 Develop strategies to maintain current student enrollment (i.e. out of district acceptance, outreaching to collaborative programs, METCO) 25.77% 25 37.11% 36 18.56% 18 18.56% 18 97 2.30 Goal: Research, develop and coordinate an authentic and measureable assessment system that proves evidence of academic and vocational competency Develop district wide District Determine Measures as part of the new teacher evaluation system. Form a job readiness committee to evaluate student preparedness for transition into industry/trades (for example: resumes, interviews by employers, portfolio, interview prep days and career testing) Form a committee to explore assessments approved by industry/post-secondary entities (Accuplacer, ServSafe, Microsoft programs) Employ a new student information system that encompasses all aspects of communication between the district and parents. 23.66% 22 44% 44 22.45% 22 36.46% 35 56.99% 53 47% 47 56.12% 55 Goal: Create a pathway between grades 9-12 and post graduate opportunities/ certification Explore a 5th year for students encompassing trade skills or degree/certification options Formalize a post-secondary articulation agreement program via an in district coordinator Develop a formal student to student tutoring program (Skills USA and National Honor Society) 32.65% 32 30.21% 29 44.44% 44 50% 48 43.88% 43 54.17% 52 51.52% 51 4.30% 4 5% 5 6.12% 6 6.25% 6 8.16% 8 5.21% 5 0% 0 Total Average Rating 15.05% 14 93 2.11 4% 4 100 1.69 15.31% 15 98 2.14 7.29% 7 96 1.84 Total Average Rating 15.31% 15 98 2.06 10.42% 10 96 1.96 4.04% 4 99 1.64 9
Goal: Foster a professional work environment encompassing peer-to-peer mentoring, trust and collegial respect centered around organizational excellence. Develop an industrial coaching/peer coaching model Develop and pilot a peer coaching model of Professional Development among faculty Develop a train-the-trainer Professional Development in house program Explore district wide safety initiatives via forming a safety task force 33.70% 31 38.54% 37 33.68% 32 32.99% 32 53.26% 49 50% 48 53.68% 51 54.64% 53 2.17% 2 3.13% 3 3.16% 3 4.12% 4 Total Average Rating 10.87% 10 92 1.90 8.33% 8 96 1.81 9.47% 9 95 1.88 8.25% 8 97 1.88 Goal: Enhance student academic support through the use of technology, communication, collaboration and innovation. Create a technology device task force to explore ways in which technology can be used in the classroom responsibly (ipad and hand held) Form a technology communication committee to explore ways to enhance communication between district/communities and parents (expand web page, monthly newsletter, expanded interaction with middle schools Explore remote/virtual capabilities for teacher/student interaction virtual classroom lectures 56.70% 55 42.86% 42 36.08% 35 36.08% 35 52.04% 51 38.14% 37 5.15% 5 2.04% 2 11.34% 11 Total Average Rating 2.06% 2 97 1.53 3.06% 3 98 1.65 14.43% 14 97 2.04 10