This summer, community members, district staff, parents, students, and Board of Education members spent a day discussing progress on our district goals from the previous school year and then created new action steps for the upcoming year. We appreciate all the different voices and perspectives who contributed to helping our district determine how to best continue to support our students, staff, and community. Included in this overview are the top three takeaways for each goal area from the 22 - 23 school year as well as the main focuses for the 23 - 24 school year.

 

STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT

Goal: In USD 202, we will increase the performance of every student as measured by district assessments, state assessments, and post-secondary data by providing teacher clarity in curriculum, creating rigorous and collaborative learning activities, increasing student efficacy, and personalizing learning.

22 - 23 Top Three Outcomes

• Implementation of Eureka Math Squared curriculum in grades K - 12 resulting in increased achievement.
• Increased student efficacy - goal setting, celebrations of success based around achievement and growth.
• Adoption of 6th - 12th English Language Arts curriculum.

23 - 24 Action Steps

• Strategy I: Teacher clarity of the curriculum will be refined through collaboration among instructional teams, aligning of resources and common assessments, and analyzing of data. Interventions will be aligned to the core curriculum.
• Strategy II: Teachers will use instructional practices that promote collaborative learning by utilizing culturally responsive strategies; integrating inquiry, collaboration, and writing; and using formative assessment data to guide and scaffold instruction. Increase of Real World Learning opportunities at Turner High School.
• Strategy III: All students will be empowered to reach their full potential through collaborative individual goal setting conversations between students and teachers, utilizing observations and data to identify intervention and enrichment needs, personalized and specific feedback to students, an increase in student support programs to decrease the number of non-graduates, and improvement of kindergarten readiness in students birth to age five.

EMPLOYEE SUPPORT

Goal: In USD 202, we will recruit, hire, and retain a highly qualified, diverse workforce.

22 - 23 Top Three Outcomes

• Increased awareness and review of student and staff demographic data with movement towards a more diverse staff.
• Industry-driven job postings and career fairs for classified staff.
• Increased understanding and implementations of mentor/buddy requirements.

23 - 24 Action Steps

• Strategy I: Recruit, hire, and retain a diverse workforce by being mindful of demographics at our various recruitment venues, assessing district recruiting efforts and materials, providing training for recruitment teams, monitoring job opening pipeline, and maintaining contact with graduates of our Learn to Teach program.
• Strategy II: Cultivate a positive professional learning culture by ensuring fidelity to the mentor and peer buddy program and supporting/promoting the Employee Recognition Program (PRIDE Award).
• Strategy III: Develop and support staff knowledge and experience by providing individualized, effective feedback on staff Individual Growth Action Plans.

 

COMMUNITY CONNECTION

Goal: In USD 202, we will collaborate with a diverse group of community stakeholders to enhance educational opportunities and increase engagement in our schools through mutually beneficial partnerships, opportunities for input and feedback, and community outreach.

22 - 23 Top Three Outcomes

• Increased cohesiveness and offerings within early childhood program.
• District-wide intentionality behind cultural awareness and celebrations.
• Implementation of transfer family onboarding process.

23 - 24 Action Steps

• Strategy I: Maximize community resources and partnerships by increasing awareness of community and district resources, cultivating mutually beneficial and diverse partnerships for Real World Learning, and increasing participation in early childhood program.
• Strategy II: Increase diversity of stakeholder participation and engagement through Building Site Councils, partnering with multicultural organizations to enhance celebrations of community diversity, and facilitating community service opportunities.
• Strategy III: Provide multiple avenues of communication through increased virtual participation opportunities, increased following and readership of communication avenues (social media, website, newsletters), and onboarding newly enrolled transfer families.

 

POSITIVE LEARNING AND WORK ENVIRONMENT

Goal: In USD 202, we will build a climate and culture where students, staff, and community are challenged, supported, and valued in a safe learning environment.

22 - 23 Top Three Outcomes

• Decrease in student physical conflict across the district.
• Staff engagement with diversity, equity, and inclusion consultant.
• Improved data reflecting collaboration amongst teaching staff.

23 - 24 Action Steps

• Strategy I: Build high expectations for students, staff, and the community by providing professional development on 5Esssentials and collective efficacy survey, identifying building specific needs based on 5Essentials and collective efficacy survey, and ensuring all teachers will be observed at least once per semester by a peer.
• Strategy II: Support all stakeholders by ensuring the DEI committee continues to meet and provide updates to each building on their progress and increase knowledge of cultural responsiveness by collaborating with a consultant.
• Strategy III: Recognize and support students' social and emotional wellness by calibrating and analyzing district survey data, implementing partnerships with outside mental health agencies, and providing specific training through Trauma Sensitive Schools teams.

 

OPERATIONS

Goal: In USD 202, we will strive to elevate the educational environment through improved facilities, services, and infrastructure resulting in tangible and measurable outcomes.

22 - 23 Top Three Outcomes

• Purchase of new interactive displays at the elementary level and new classroom displays at secondary level.
• 91% of transported students are utilizing Ride 360.
• HVAC improvements across the district.

23 - 24 Action Steps

• Strategy I: Provide a safe, secure learning environment for students and staff using 21st century technologies by completing the installation of new interactive displays in pre-k - 5th grade classrooms. Additionally, evaluate existing phone system district-wide to explore replacement or update within a 2 - 3 year timeframe.
• Strategy II: Provide and maintain safe, reliable transportation by continuing to provide support and training on the Ride360 app and implementing "Safety Vision" on the bus fleet.
• Strategy III: Improve district facilities through continued movement on the annual Capital Improvement Plan and installing touch-free fixtures in district buildings.

 

The full strategic plan document can be found on the strategic plan webpage.