Review Agenda Item
Meeting Date: 12/18/2020 - 7:00 PM
Category: Teaching, Learning and Leadership
Type: Info
Subject: Update on School and Department Improvement Plan Enhancements
ACPS 2025 Strategic Plan Goal:
Goal 1: Systemic Alignment
ACPS will build a culture of continuous improvement and design equitable systems for school and instructional improvement.
Goal 2: Instructional Excellence
ACPS will ensure that all students have access to and engagement with high-quality instruction.
Policy: IA - Instructional Goals and Objectives
Funding Source or Fiscal Impact (where applicable)
File Attachment:
201218_Brief_Update_on_School_and_Department_Improvement_Plan_Enhancements_v3.pdf
201218_Att1_SY20-21_VCSIP_Elementary_Template.pdf
201218_Att2_SY20-21_VCDIP_Department_Template.pdf
Agenda Item Summary: Enhancing the skills of Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS) leaders to engage in continuous improvement and innovation are integral to remedying pernicious and persistent educational challenges and achieving the goals identified in the ACPS Strategic Plan 2025. Critical inquiry included data analysis, planning to assess progress, and a focus on evidence. Additionally, staff are working diligently to ensure alignment between improvement plan goals, essential actions, and the ACPS 2025 Strategic Plan. The improvement planning process was revised to include enhancements to strengthen leaders' understanding and use of theory of action, focus on evidence, and the coherence with the instructional core.
Background: For the 2019-2020 school year, ACPS developed improvement plans based on the revised School and Department Improvement Planning process initiated in 2018-2019. Due to an interruption in the continuum of learning caused by the COVID-19 dual pandemic in March 2020, the SY 2019-2020 improvement plans were not fully implemented. Schools and departments updated existing plans to include enhancements in five areas (see below) to develop SY 2020-2021 School Improvement Plans (SIPs) and Department Improvement Plans (DIPs).
School and department leaders participated in a meeting to discuss an overview of continuous improvement for ACPS. Five enhancements were integrated into the improvement planning process to strengthen continuous improvement processes, improve coherence, and align with the focus areas identified within the ACPS 2025 Strategic Plan: Equity for All. School and department teams are addressing the following new areas:
● Alignment with 2020-2021 Focus Areas – All goals in the SIP and DIP should align with focus areas identified for SY 2020-2021.
● Relevant School Profile or Department Data – Include a snapshot of relevant school profile or departmental data in the first section of the SIP and DIP. The data will provide context for the target areas.
● Plan to Assess Progress – Describe the plan for assessing the SIP and DIP progress. The plan should encompass quarterly and annual progress updates.
● Evidence – Include evidence to support each Essential Action identified.
● Monitoring and Supporting Social, Emotional, and Academic Learning (SEAL) during the global pandemic and virtual learning including chronic absenteeism and grade distribution.
Recommendation: The Superintendent recommends that the School Board review the updates on School and Department Improvement Plan Enhancements.
Approvals:
Recommended By:
Signed By:
Dr. Gregory C. Hutchings, Jr. - Superintendent