Strategic plan: Rigor, equity, personal attention

April 21, 2011

Every five years, Portland Public Schools leaders update the school district’s strategic plan — a guide for student success. A new plan is due this year, and the work that’s been done to date offers a glimpse of what to expect from PPS through 2016.

The 2011-16 strategic plan will incorporate the following elements:

• Build on the district’s Milestones framework and equity of access to a rigorous program of study.
• Continue to incorporate the goal that “all students by name, regardless of race or class, meet or exceed academic milestones, and graduate on time, ready for postsecondary education and training.”
• Identify the steps that PPS must take for students of all races and income levels to achieve academic excellence.

While many students graduate well prepared for college and career, Portland Public Schools has tolerated low achievement from many for too long. And, too often, poor outcomes for students are highly predictable based on race and family income.

Plan focuses on four areas

The proposed plan, which the Portland School Board is set to adopt in June, comprises four “action areas”:

• Effective educators – Hire and develop diverse, culturally competent educators who hold high expectations of all students. Create opportunities for staff at all schools to collaborate to continually improve their teaching.
• Individual and team accountability – Create a culture where teachers, principals and central administrators are collectively and individually responsible for the progress of students of all races and income levels. Provide schools on a regular basis the data needed to help educators better understand and adjust the effectiveness of their instruction.
• Rigorous common core program – Raise standards and expectations for all students. Provide access to the same rigorous program requirements to all students, from early childhood through 12th grade. Give teachers flexibility to make the curriculum relevant and accessible to all students so that all can learn and excel.
• Targeted student supports – Assess all students regularly to monitor progress. Provide resources to prevent students from falling behind and to intervene with those that do to get back on track. Invest in early childhood education and partnerships with families and community organizations to support the whole student.

Stakeholders, survey help guide decisions

Those developing the plan are designing action plans in each area, including specific steps, working in collaboration with a diverse set of key stakeholders. There will be opportunities for broad public input when a first draft of the plan is completed.

Stakeholders include the Portland School Board; teachers, principals and administrators; curriculum and family engagement employees; representatives from parent groups such as the Portland Council PTA, Stand for Children and Community & Parents for Public Schools; nonprofits that provide services to students such as Self Enhancement Inc., Latino Network and Catholic Charities; business and foundation leaders; and leaders in communities of color, including communities where English is not the first language.

Superintendent Smith is using the initial plan framework to guide her proposed budget for 2011-12. Ultimately, the plan also will guide all that the school district does, from hiring to community partnerships.