Strategic Plan Frequently Asked Questions
What is a strategic plan?
A strategic plan is a road map—a document that spells out what an organization is trying to accomplish in the long-term and how it will go about doing so. A strategic plan can be a major contributor to improving performance. It helps an organization reshape priorities and ensure that all employees are working toward the same goals. Guilford County Schools (GCS) has developed a strategic plan that is focused on academic excellence and character education.
How was input from the community incorporated?
Superintendent Maurice “Mo” Green began a listening and learning tour immediately after coming to office in September 2008. He has visited many churches, community organizations and civic groups. He has held several town hall meetings in various parts of the county. All of these forums have provided opportunities for the superintendent to get a sense from community members their hopes for GCS.
In addition, nearly 4,000 parents, students, employees and community members sent in comments and suggestions last fall as part of the “Mo Wants to Know” campaign. These suggestions, coupled with the feedback the superintendent has received from the community over the last several months, are a key part of the foundation of this plan. The data captured during this process, along with the Board of Education’s mission and core values, was used to guide the development of this strategic plan. This is not the superintendent’s plan or the board’s plan; it is our plan.
What’s the focus of the plan?
Achieving education excellence for all students is the theme of this plan. Helping our students take advantage of all the world has to offer requires us to provide the best academic opportunities possible. We also believe that strength of character, combined with the keen analytical skills of a finely tuned mind, can overcome any obstacles and create a limitless future. We believe, as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. once said, “Intelligence plus character – that is the goal of true education.” As a result, character development of our students is a critical component of this plan.
What are its main components?
This plan is divided into eight key areas: improving academic achievement; supportive family and community involvement; strategic human resource management; respectful and responsive service; safe schools and character development; optimal operations; transformational technology; and, clear baseline and equitable standards. The focus on these areas will give GCS an opportunity to do what no other school district in the country has accomplished: achieve education excellence for every child in every school.
How will this plan affect my child?
There will be a renewed emphasis on literacy and mathematics. GCS will ensure that middle school students who are reading below grade level take a mandatory reading class until grade level proficiency is achieved. On average, students will participate in 45 minutes of additional reading instruction per day. Reading skills will be emphasized across all content areas. High schools will use reading teachers to support students needing assistance with phonological awareness, phonics, vocabulary, fluency and comprehension.
The district will increase opportunities for student participation in the arts. Summer enrichment camps and a variety of after-school and weekend enrichment opportunities will be offered for volunteer participation. Additionally, GCS will focus on character development for all grade levels by having a district-wide monthly focus on specified character traits.
GCS understands the need to prepare students to compete in a world that is becoming more globalized. To this end, we will expand world language offerings and instruction at the elementary, middle and secondary level through virtual learning opportunities. GCS will pilot the use of language labs in an elementary, middle and high school feeder pattern. GCS will promote increased participation in study abroad programs by developing courses that allow students to earn high school credit while traveling abroad.
The district will use the character education model in routine instruction and other school-related activities. Additionally, GCS will develop district-wide student-service requirements in an effort to educate the whole child and support students’ character development.
How will this plan affect employees?
GCS is developing and implementing an ongoing recognition program that highlights outstanding achievement, including service, by individuals and work teams. We will expand current recognition programs and events to include support or classified staff.
We are exploring strategies to reduce the teacher resignation rate by 50 percent and to recruit and retain teachers and principals at schools that are hard to staff. We will work even harder at growing employees. We will do this by identifying employees with leadership potential and then advance them through a pre-determined course of experiences, projects, responsibilities and training opportunities in order to build their capacity to lead and manage large, complex schools, departments, divisions and organizations.
How can GCS afford to implement this plan in this difficult economic climate?
This plan will require us to re-focus our current resources more strategically. Times are tough, which means we will have to squeeze every penny out of every dollar and every minute out of every hour. While the current economic conditions clearly will make this effort more challenging, our children deserve no less than our very best.
Why should I care if I don’t have a child at GCS or don’t work for the district?
When fully implemented, this plan will transform GCS into one of America’s leading public school districts. The future of any community is linked to that of its public school district. If we have a great school district in Guilford County, everyone benefits. Businesses, young families and strong cultural institutions will be attracted to the area and the community will thrive. No community can be strong without a world-class public school district.
How will the plan be evaluated?
There are systems in place to guarantee a successful implementation of the plan involving all members of the community. The district will assemble a team of district staff who will provide oversight to ensure successful attainment of the goals of the plan. The team will be made up of senior-level administrators. They will be responsible for reviewing projects, approving budgets and ensuring that resources align with goals that support achieving education excellence.
The district will also develop separate project teams for major initiatives. Where appropriate, these project teams also will include school-based employees and support staff, community members and experts from various professions.
How can I help?
You can be of assistance in so many ways. One of our goals is to increase the number of volunteers in our schools significantly. While we have many caring adults who invest a considerable amount of time in our schools, we could always use more. Please consider visiting a school in your neighborhood to inquire about becoming a mentor, lunch buddy or reading buddy.
Additionally, GCS will be developing partnerships with community groups to launch a community literacy initiative designed to encourage GCS students to read 1 million books each year. By 2011, GCS will also establish a Parent University, which will provide parents and family members with the training, information and support needed to help them become full partners in their children’s education. GCS will need community supporters and volunteers to help with both of these initiatives.
Please consider giving to a school of your choice or to a district-wide program. No amount is too small. The Teacher Supply Warehouse, which provides tens of thousands of dollars in free used or gently used classroom supplies each year, could use more donations. Look around your office or up in your attic for materials that you think might be of some help to our teachers in their classrooms.
We also welcome your feedback on the plan. We will be spending a lot of time in the community discussing it and soliciting input. We’d love to hear from you.
To get involved, send an e-mail to the Community Partnerships office at feedback@gcsnc.com or call 336-370-8386.
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