90 DAY PLAN FINDINGS

Presented By:

Dr. Cheryl L. H. AtkinsonSuperintendent

DeKalb County School District

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i. Establish a strong community presence promptly

ii. Assess the organization’s strengths and weaknesses

iii. Identify critical issues facing the Districtiv. Correct weaknesses and build on strengthsv. Create a network of contacts and resourcesvi. Engage stakeholders in mutual

transformation and accountability

Immediate Focus

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Phase I: Pre-Entry (9 Days) September 1 – 14 Begin Personnel Audit (Central Office Staff)

Phase II: Entry (50 Days) September 15 – Nov. 23 Continue Personnel Audit Begin Program Audits (Divisions/Departments)

Phase III: Development of Action Plan (31 Days)November 28 - January 24

Deliverable: Excellence for Education Plan (Strategic Plan)

90 Day Timeline

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Visited 138 schools and centers Held 1:1 Principal Academic Conferences Hosted 5 Parent Roundtables around the District Hosted 21 Fireside Chat Meetings with teachers,

students, school-based, and central office staff Met with the 5 Area Assistant Superintendents Met with the Board Chair and Vice-Chair Met with each individual Board Member (9) Met with school district legal firms

90 Day Plan ActivitiesEstablish a strong community presence promptly

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Met with Professional Organizations/Affiliations Organization of DeKalb Educators Georgia Federation of Teachers (scheduled for 1/23/12) Professional Association of Georgia Educators (scheduled for 1/23/12) PTA Executive Council Four (4) Parent Councils (Dunwoody-Chamblee, Emory-LaVista, Tucker, and

South DeKalb) Local Media Outlets

Government Officials DeKalb CEO DeKalb Commissioners DeKalb Delegation DeKalb County Mayors DeKalb District Attorney DeKalb Sheriff (scheduled for 1/23/12) DeKalb Solicitor General (scheduled for 1/24/12) DeKalb Board of Health Director (scheduled for 1/20/12)

90 Day Plan ActivitiesEstablish a strong community presence promptly

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State/Education Leaders State School Superintendent/Executive Team AdvancED/SACS CEO Georgia School Boards Association Leadership DeKalb Race to the Top State Leadership Team State of Georgia Audits Team DOE Capital Outlay Reimbursement Team Metro Area Superintendents (Gwinnett, Atlanta, Cobb,

Fulton, and Decatur City) Local Colleges/Universities (Emory, Agnes-Scott, Morehouse,

Georgia Piedmont, Georgia Perimeter, Oglethorpe, Mercer, and DeVry)

90 Day Plan ActivitiesEstablish a strong community presence promptly

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Business/Civic Organizations DeKalb Chamber of Commerce DeKalb NAACP DeKalb Realtor’s Association DeKalb Kiwanis Club (scheduled for 1/23/12) DeKalb Rotary Club (scheduled for 1/20/2012) Stan Watson Community Legislation Group Tysinger Breakfast Group Faith-Based Alliance Group

90 Day Plan ActivitiesEstablish a strong community presence promptly

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Commissioned audits in each division to determine capacity for effectiveness and efficiency of services Curriculum and Instruction Human Resources Communications Information Technology Finance (TBD @ hiring of CFO) Facilities and Maintenance (TBD @ hiring of COO)

Develop an action plan for organizational restructure and improved services based on recommendations from each audit

District Organization StructureAssess the organization’s strengths and weaknesses

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Common Threads from Listening and Learning Sessions

Identify critical issues facing the District

Too much paperwork for teachers Not enough planning time for teachers Teacher morale is low Lack of building leadership Safety and security in schools Lack of classroom supplies Renovations needed at schools Counselors need more training Need additional theme middle school

on southside Transportation (bus drivers issues) Need additional help for teachers in

classrooms

Restore tax sheltered annuity Bi-monthly payroll Pay based on merit system Professional development for RTI Cross-training for staff Want fair opportunities for career

path toward leadership and promotion

Revisit math options Consistent standards on

programs district-wide Revisit block scheduling

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Too many programs . . . “attempt, attack, and abandon cycle”

Overcrowded classrooms Too much testing and benchmarks Confusing and unaligned pacing guides More vocational and trade skill programs Put driver’s education back in schools World language courses in all schools Teachers with language barriers Support and resources for ESOL students and

parents

Common Threads from Listening and Learning Sessions

Identify critical issues facing the District

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Better transition from middle school to high school

4.5 weeks grading period too much, too soon Revisit social promotion Revisit grading policy and grading scale (70=D) Bullying is a problem for students and staff Review system-wide discipline protocol and code

of conduct Revisit excused/unexcused absences and tardies Revisit school uniforms

Common Threads from Listening and Learning Sessions

Identify critical issues facing the District

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Reinstate recess Develop student wellness plan to address

childhood obesity Need healthier lunches for students Upgrade computer labs in schools Need technology integration specialist at each

school to train teachers Audit fund-raising monies and athletic fees Audit Title I funds More funding for extra-curricular activities for

students

Common Threads from Listening and Learning Sessions

Identify critical issues facing the District

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Increase parental involvement and create ways to encourage parent participation

Build stronger partnerships with schools and community/business

Improve district communication – tell the good news

Bring the district newsletter back/use TV station more

Share more information about career education programs for students

Common Threads from Listening and Learning Sessions

Identify critical issues facing the District

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Based on data and feedback from all of these efforts, the Excellence for Education Plan includes five strategic goal areas; priorities that the School System must address to improve student success.

Strategic Goal Areas Student Achievement and Success Excellence in Leadership and Personnel Operational Effectiveness Safe and Orderly Schools Engaging Stakeholders in Partnerships

EXCELLENCE FOR EDUCATION PLANCorrect weaknesses and build on strengths

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Parents, Teachers & Students Citizens & Community Partnerships College & University Partnerships Business & Corporate Partnerships National and Local Levels Faith-Based Alliances

DISTRICT SUCCESSCreate a network of contacts and resources

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Excellence for Education Plan Theory of Action Aligned Management System Performance Management Evaluations Leadership & Training Development Succession Planning Across all Divisions Audit Findings and Recommendations

Strategies for Moving ForwardEngage stakeholders in mutual transformation

and accountability

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Moving Forward:The Excellence for Education Plan

Explicit and tactical strategy to improve the achievement of all students, internal operations, reporting, and accountability systems

Actualize and prioritize the levers necessary to deliver a balanced scorecard and aligned management system that reiterates our core values and mission

An essential and critical guiding document for continuous improvement

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NEXT?

Draft review of the Excellence for Education Plan