Cartersville City Schools: Strategic Plan

This 2008-2013 Cartersville Schools Strategic Plan provides for a 5-year systemic guide which emphasizes highest student achievement, effective internal and external communication, efficient operations, and accountability. Goal leaders and teams are assigned to each goal to insure resource alignment and accountability.

The strategic plan provides the framework for all system personnel to use in focusing on planning and deployment efforts toward the system’s goals, and on reporting results. The plan provides clear directions for schools and departments to align their improvement efforts. It also provides a set of priorities that will be aligned with the resources in our continuous improvement efforts. Schools will be expected to use the plan to build their future improvements plans, aligned with their resources and expected results. This plan and future plans will serve as the foundation for all the work of the Cartersville City Schools.

Goal 1
By 2011, 90% or more of the students in every subgroup identified by No Child Left Behind legislation will meet or exceed standards on the reading, language arts, mathematic, science, and social studies portions of the state-mandated assessments at each grade level (1-8).

Strategies
• Annually identify students needing intensive intervention by the 3rd week of school
• Continue use of Integrated Management System (Kaplan & Inform) for monitoring proficiency
• Job-embedded professional development
• Standards-based instruction implemented per state schedule
• Continued use & implementation of research-based instructional strategies
• Highly Qualified teacher in every classroom
• Contract with Ombudsman, Inc., for alternative school services for identified struggling 8th grade students
• Pilot use of pod-casting for 5th & 8th graders
• Continue employment of Teacher on Special Assignment to provide instruction to teaching staff in differentiated instruction at CMS
• All CMS teachers earn Gifted Endorsement on their certificate
• Increase number of teachers with ESOL certification

Goal 2
By 2011, 90% or more of the 11th grade students in every subgroup identified by No Child Left Behind legislation will meet or exceed standard on the English, Math, Science, and Social Studies portions of state-mandated assessment.

Strategies
• Annually identify students needing intensive intervention by the 3rd week of school
• Continue use of Integrated Management System (Kaplan & Inform) for monitoring proficiency
• Job-embedded professional development
• Standards-based instruction implemented per state schedule
• Continued use & implementation of research-based instructional strategies
• Contract with Ombudsman, Inc., for alternative school services for identified struggling 8th grade students
• Pilot use of pod-casting for 5th & 8th graders
• Revise graduation requirements for students entering 9th grade 2008-09
• Implementation of credit recovery program through Georgia Virtual Schools
• Communicate to parents/students changes in graduation policy requirements
• SPSAT testing for all 9th grade students
• Use of modular scheduling within 4x4 block to accommodate necessary math support classes
• Increase the number of Advanced Placement course offerings

Goal 3
By 2011, 90% or more of 11th grade students will meet or exceed the standards on the state required End-of-Course Tests (EOCT).

Strategies
• Annually identify students needing intensive intervention by the 3rd week of school
• Continue use of Integrated Management System (Kaplan & Inform) for monitoring proficiency
• Job-embedded professional development
• Standards-based instruction implemented per state schedule
• Continued use & implementation of research-based instructional strategies
• Contract with Ombudsman, Inc., for alternative school services for identified struggling 8th grade students
• Pilot use of pod-casting for 5th & 8th graders
• Revise graduation requirements for students entering 9th grade 2008-09
• Implementation of credit recovery program through Georgia Virtual Schools
• Communicate to parents/students changes in graduation policy requirements
• SPSAT testing for all 9th grade students
• Use of modular scheduling within 4x4 block to accommodate necessary math support classes
• Increase the number of Advanced Placement course offerings

Goal 4
By 2011, Cartersville High School will have at least a 90% or higher graduation rate.

Strategies
• Annually identify students needing intensive intervention by the 3rd week of school
• Continue use of Integrated Management System (Kaplan & Inform) for monitoring proficiency
• Job-embedded professional development
• Standards-based instruction implemented per state schedule
• Continued use & implementation of research-based instructional strategies
• Contract with Ombudsman, Inc., for alternative school services for identified struggling 8th grade students
• Pilot use of pod-casting for 5th & 8th graders
• Revise graduation requirements for students entering 9th grade 2008-09
• Implementation of credit recovery program through Georgia Virtual Schools
• Communicate to parents/students changes in graduation policy requirements
• SPSAT testing for all 9th grade students
• Use of modular scheduling within 4x4 block to accommodate necessary math support classes
• Increase the number of Advanced Placement course offerings

Goal 5
By 2015, all Cartersville City Schools' media centers will be identified as "Exemplary" as defined by the Wilson Catalog standard.

Strategies
• Weed media centers collections regularly
• Annually run Title wise Analysis of media center collections
• Purchase materials in Dewey classification areas of greatest need as identified in analysis
• Align acquisitions with state textbook adoption cycle
• Use professional review journals and core collection tools to select resources needed to balance collection and support curriculum/instruction
• Collaborate and plan with Literacy Coaches to ensure integration of programs and procedures

Goal 6
By August 2008, an effective internal and external communication plan promoting the school system's mission, programs and performance will be developed and implemented.

Strategies
• Provide continuous information/data from identified school point of contact
• Utilize more services of public relations/marketing position
• Continued use of timely bulletins/press release to media
• Presentation/distribution of appropriate information through PTC, School Councils, and school/community forums
• Continued use of ConnectEd telephone messaging service by system & schools
• Continued use and marketing of parent access piece of PowerSchool student information system
• Continue aggressive marketing plan targeted to area realtors/developers, Chamber of Commerce, selected businesses, hospital
• Community survey administered and results analyzed

Efficient Operations

Goal 7
The school system will reduce its utility costs (electricity & natural gas) by 20% for the next fiscal year.

Strategies
• Adjust Digital Control parameters to meet school specific needs
• Evaluate possible use of digital controls relating to the operation of fluorescent lighting
• Assess the usage of outdoor lighting throughout the system
• Continue monitoring of utility usage
• Continued use of modified system-wide summer work schedule
• Continue inspections of facilities during occupied & unoccupied hours
• Continue to re-distribute energy cost savings for the benefit of the instructional program as well as other areas of operation

Goal 8
Develop a plan regarding enrollment increases as it relates to the construction of facilities over the next 20-30 years

Strategies
• Monitor student enrollment changes
• Monitor residential and commercial development patterns and analyze potential effect on facilities
• Communicate with City officials regarding potential developments which will impact the school system and its facilities
• Assemble data regarding age of children moving into the city limits; residential development
• Communicate with developers and potential developers regarding system impacts