DRAFT
BOE Information Session
Developing a long term
strategic plan for FCPS
S E P T E M B E R 2 4 TH, 2 0 1 4
FCPS is working to draft a focused, coherent and actionable strategic plan
to guide the school system over the next five years.
Strategic Planning - Rationale and Objectives
FCPS Situation
Most school districts navigate a number of
challenges and competing interests:
Increasing Diversity of Student Population
and Need
Tightening Budgets
Strategic Planning Benefits
A coherent strategic plan helps navigate
the growing number of challenges by:
•
•
•
Rising Accountability
Prioritizing a focused and actionable
set of the most important levers for
improving performance
Aligning all stakeholders on a clear
path forward over the next few years
Providing a guidance document to drive
allocation of school system’s limited
resources (financial, human capital and
others)
Growing Regulation
2
The design of the strategic plan is a multi-month process.
Project Workplan
DRAFT
Phase I - Design
Conduct Needs
Assessment
1 month
Gather and analyze
quantitative data on what
is working well and areas
in need for improvement
Utilize information from
district’s stakeholder
engagement efforts to
identify pressing issues to
be addressed within the
strategic planning process
Phase II - Implementation
Develop Strategic Plan
4-5 months
Refine long term
aspirational goals for FCPS
Draft a theory of action
about what it takes to raise
achievement and make the
vision a reality
Develop priorities in line with
the drafted theory of action
Current focus
Conduct additional
stakeholder interviews to
better understand district
priorities
• Finalize specific and
measurable targets related to
district priorities (measurable
goals)
Form steering
committee and organize
project kick-off
• Incorporate community
feedback into the drafted plan
Implement
9-12 months
• Draft a detailed action plan for
implementation:
o Delineate roles and
responsibilities
o Establish implementation
timelines
o Determine plan to track and
monitor progress
• Create templates/framework for
schools to create school-level
improvement plans in accordance
with the overall strategic plan
• Develop management dashboard
to track and monitor progress on
each strategic goal/objective
3
FCPS convened a steering committee dedicated to developing the
strategic plan.
Steering Committee Membership
Member
Position
Theresa Alban
Superintendent
Mita Badshah
Middle School Principal
Zakir Bengali
BOE Member
Tracey Franklin
High School Principal
Chris Horne
Curriculum Specialist (Pre K -5, Math)
April Miller
BOE Member
Jeanine Molock
Director of Research, Development and Accountability
Leslie Pellegrino
Executive Director of Fiscal Services
Randy Perrell
Elementary School Principal
Larry Phillips
Custodial Services Specialist
DRAFT
4
The development of FCPS’ strategic plan has bene guided by a
comprehensive framework.
Strategic Planning Framework
DRAFT
Definitions
Aspirational Goals
Primary BOE
Responsibility
Theory of action
Priorities
(related to the priorities)
Primary FCPS
Responsibility
Responsibilities
Aspirational goals: Definition of
where the organization wants to be
in future
What does success
look like?
Theory of action: Set of beliefs,
policies, and practices connected
by logic rules. Belief around why
something will be successful
What do we believe
will help us achieve
our aspirational goals?
Priorities: Broad thematic areas of
focus
How will we support
the theory of action?
Measurable goals: Specific and
measurable targets related to
district priorities
Measurable Goals
Initiatives
Questions
Initiatives: Specific actions related
to each priority that help to achieve
the measurable goals
What needs to happen
by when and by
whom?
Timelines
5
The steering committee has revised aspirational goals statements based on
feedback provided by the BOE at their June 12 meeting.
Aspirational Goals
DRAFT
Broad Thematic Category
1
Goal Statement
Student achievement:
FCPS will equip each and every student to be an
engaged citizen and an empowered learner to
achieve a positive impact in the global
community.
Effective and engaged
staff:
FCPS will hire, support, and retain staff who
champion personal, professional, and academic
excellence.
Resource allocation:
FCPS will utilize all resources strategically and
responsibly to achieve identified outcomes and
inspire public trust.
2
3
4
Community involvement:
FCPS will nurture relationships with families and
community members, sharing responsibility for
student success and demonstrating pride in our
school system.
6
The development of the theory of action has been a multi-step process involving
feedback and guidance from members of the steering committee.
Theory of Action Development Process
DRAFT
Phase I - Design
Conduct Needs Assessment
1 month
 Gather and analyze
quantitative data on
what is working well and
areas in need for
improvement
 Utilize information from
district’s stakeholder
engagement efforts to
identify pressing issues to
be addressed within the
strategic planning process
 Conduct additional
stakeholder interviews
to better understand
district priorities
 Form steering
committee and organize
project kick-off
•
Develop Strategic Plan
4-5 months
Step 1
 Refine long term
aspirational goals for
FCPS
• Draft a theory of action
about what it takes to raise
achievement and make your
vision a reality
• Develop priorities in line
with the drafted theory of
action
•
Step 2
•
Step 3
• Finalize specific and
measurable targets related
to district priorities
(measurable goals)
• Incorporate community
feedback into the drafted
plan
•
Step 4
Discussed key beliefs with
Superintendent, utilizing case
studies from other districts and
past FCPS initiatives
Drafted initial theory of action
based on preliminary themes
put forth by the Superintendent
Sought feedback from steering
committee members on the
initial draft
Refined theory of action draft
based on feedback
7
The theory of action represents FCPS’ fundamental belief about achieving
its defined goals.
FCPS Theory of Action
DRAFT
IF FCPS…
THEN…
• Creates a culture of high expectations and
continuous improvement throughout the
district using clear indicators of
performance, and
• Recognizes that schools and school
communities are the centers of student
learning, and
• Invests in staff at every level of the
organization who work to ensure highest
quality teaching and learning occurs in
every classroom, and
FCPS staff members will
become exceptional leaders
who support one another to
ensure all students are
successful
• Empowers all leaders to adapt districtwide
parameters to the local context in order to
achieve set goals;
8
The steering committee has drafted and refined potential priorities through a
multi-step process.
Priorities Development Process
DRAFT
Phase I - Design
Conduct Needs Assessment
1 month
 Gather and analyze
quantitative data on
what is working well and
areas in need for
improvement
 Utilize information from
district’s stakeholder
engagement efforts to
identify pressing issues to
be addressed within the
strategic planning process
 Conduct additional
stakeholder interviews
to better understand
district priorities
 Form steering
committee and organize
project kick-off
•
Develop Strategic Plan
4-5 months
Step 1
 Refine long term
aspirational goals for
FCPS
 Draft a theory of action
about what it takes to raise
achievement and make
your vision a reality
• Develop priorities in line
with the drafted theory of
action
•
Step 2
•
Step 3
• Finalize specific and
measurable targets related
to district priorities
(measurable goals)
• Incorporate community
feedback into the drafted
plan
•
Step 4
Steering committee members
individually drafted possible
priorities via homework
assignment
Steering committee and
Superintendent ranked
multiple priority topics during
group activity
Steering committee provided
input on sample priorities through
small group phone conversations
Steering committee further
refined and finalized priorities
as a group
9
The current priorities have been drafted with several specific qualities in
mind.
Characteristics of a Well Crafted Priority
DRAFT
Quality
Description
Focused
• Priorities should focus on a short list of high impact activities
that are most likely help FCPS meet its goals, given the school
system’s specific context, challenges, and opportunities
Clear
Aligned
Measurable
• Priorities should paint a clear picture to all stakeholders
about the school system’s focus
• Strong priorities promote cross-collaboration and
alignment between the work of various departments and
levels of the organization
• It should be possible to measure progress toward
achieving each priority
10
FCPS’ priorities describe specific areas of focus for the school system in
order to achieve the aspirational goals.
PRELIMINARY
Thematic
Category
1
Goal Statement
Student
achievement
FCPS will equip each and
every student to be an
engaged citizen and an
empowered learner to
achieve a positive impact in
the global community.
Effective and
engaged
staff
FCPS will hire, support, and
retain staff who champion
personal, professional, and
academic excellence.
Priorities
•
•
•
2
3
Resource
allocation
FCPS will utilize all resources
strategically and responsibly
to achieve identified
outcomes and inspire public
trust.
Community
involvement
FCPS will nurture
relationships with families and
community members, sharing
responsibility for student
success and demonstrating
pride in our school system.
4
•
•
•
•
•
FCPS will provide all students high quality instruction that
fosters creative thinking, complex problem solving, and
collaboration.
FCPS will provide curriculum, instruction, and enrichment that
raises achievement for all students and closes achievement
gaps.
FCPS will support growth for all staff and enable them
to advance continuously as highly effective
professionals.
FCPS will implement strategies to recruit, hire, and
retain a high quality and diverse workforce.
FCPS will ensure equitable distribution of resources based
on the varied needs of students and schools.
FCPS will continue to promote clear communication and
transparency in allocation of funds.
FCPS will develop, encourage, and maintain community
participation in district initiatives to support student success.
FCPS will equip staff with the knowledge and tools
necessary to engage students, families, and the community
and build trust in the district’s goals, priorities, and
initiatives.
11
The next phase of work will involve extensive outreach to the community to
seek input and encourage feedback on the draft of the strategic plan.
Timeline of Community Engagement
DRAFT
Phase I - Design
1 month
Gather and analyze
quantitative data on what
is working well and areas
in need for improvement
Utilize information from
district’s stakeholder
engagement efforts to
identify pressing issues to
be addressed within the
strategic planning process
Conduct additional
stakeholder interviews to
better understand district
priorities
Form steering
committee and organize
project kick-off
Develop Strategic Plan
4-5 months
Today
Conduct Needs
Assessment
•
Step 1
Refine long term
aspirational goals for FCPS
Draft a theory of action
about what it takes to raise
achievement and make the
vision a reality
Develop priorities in line with
the drafted theory of action
• Finalize specific and
measurable targets related to
district priorities (measurable
goals)
• Incorporate community
feedback into the drafted plan
Board to review
progress on strategic plan
•
Step 2
•
Step 3
•
Step 4
•
Step 5
FCPS to conduct public
roundtables with different
community stakeholders
FCPS to engage broader
public through different
communication strategies
Steering committee to
review community
feedback and refine plan
Board to vote on
aspirational goals and
priorities
12
Community engagement around the strategic plan will focus on seeking
input from the public via a variety of different communication channels.
Community Engagement Efforts Around Strategic Plan
DRAFT
Key Objective
The goal of the community engagement effort will be to ensure that diverse perspectives are
incorporated into the draft strategic plan and that the larger community and school leaders are aware
of, engaged, and united behind the goals and priorities
A number of communication channels will be utilized, including:
FCPS
Website
Social Media
Channels
The website will serve as the central
repository for all information on the
strategic plan.
Social media channels such as
Facebook, twitter, etc. will be another
way to build awareness around the
strategic plan and to encourage
public feedback
An email address and/or a prestructured feedback form will be
setup on the website, allowing any
member of the community to provide
feedback directly to the steering
committee
Roundtable Discussions
The steering committee will hold a
series of public roundtable
discussions in which small groups of
parents/students, representatives of
community organizations and
FCPS staff will be invited to share
their opinion and feedback. Broader
public will also be able to listen and
share their comments at the end of
the group discussion.
13
Roundtables will be structured to seek high quality feedback and diverse
perspectives.
Sample Roundtable Agenda
DRAFT
Agenda
5 min
Welcome
15 min
Background on process, goals, theory
of action, and priorities
70 min
Discussion on proposed goals, theory of
action, and priorities
30 min
Public comment and wrap up
Board of Education Role
• BOE members are invited to
attend all roundtable
discussions
• BOE will vote on the revised
plan after the community
feedback has been
incorporated
14
Roundtable discussions were scheduled to accommodate a variety
locations, times of day, and days of the week.
Roundtable Locations and Times
DRAFT
1
Date and Time
Location
•
•
Urbana High
•
Brunswick High
Monday, October 13
4:00pm – 6:00pm
5
2
3
4
3
4
6
1
2
5
6
•
•
•
•
•
Monday, October 13
7:00pm – 9:00pm
Thursday, October 16
10:30am – 12:30pm
Thursday, October 16
7:00pm – 9:00pm
Tuesday, October 21
6:00pm – 8:00pm
Wednesday, October 22
8:30am – 10:30am
•
Bernard W. Brown
Community Center
(Frederick)
•
Middletown High
•
Catoctin High
•
Central Office Board
Room
15
Appendix
16
A large number of community groups representing diverse perspectives
have been invited to participate in the roundtable discussions.
Community Organizations Participating in Roundtables
Organization Type
Sample Invitations
•
•
•
PTA Council of Frederick County
Frederick Classical Charter Trustees
Special Education Citizens Advisory Council
•
SGA representatives
•
•
Chamber of Commerce
Fort Detrick
Community groups
•
•
The Religious Coalition of Frederick
Eliminating the Achievement Gap
County services
•
•
Frederick County Manager
Frederick County Sheriff’s Office
FCPS employees
•
•
Teachers of the Year
FCTA, FASSE, FCASA
Parents
NON-EXHAUSTIVE
Students
Business
stakeholders
17
FCPS Mission and Vision
18