Building Our Future 2017

Fulton County Schools Strategic Plan Name of Meeting Date

• • • •

District profile

Physically bisected by Atlanta Public Schools – More than 70 miles between northern and southern most points – Comprised of 13 cities Fourth largest school district in GA – – Over 94,000 students 100 schools 6,800 certified teachers Diverse student population – A majority minority District – 45% free and reduced lunch – 6% English language learners – 10% special ed./needs DRAFT 2

Our work is supported by beliefs and value statements

• •

Our Mission

Is to educate every student to be a responsible, productive citizen.

Our Vision

Is for all students to learn to their full potential.

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1

Our measures of student success

Graduation

High school graduation is the first step to a productive future. A high school dropout will earn approximately $300,000 less over a lifetime than a high school graduate.

2

College Readiness

3

Career Readiness

DRAFT Less than half of students enrolled in post secondary education will earn a degree, largely because they are unprepared. Not obtaining a degree affects life outcomes.

Whether they pursue a 4-year degree, technical certification, or directly enter the workplace, all students need skills to be productive in a world relying increasingly on technology. Sources: Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics; Rice Center for College Readiness 4

Goal 1: Graduation

90%

of Fulton students will graduate High School on time.

100 90 80 70 60 50 40

91% 2010-2011 Cohort On-Time Graduation Rate 73% 70% Strategic Goal of 90% Our Opportunity 68% 68% 59% 52%

Source: GA Department of Education 5 DRAFT

Goal 2: College readiness

85%

of seniors will earn an SAT score to be competitive for admission at University System of Georgia Institutions • Scores and participation rates rise at all schools • Stretch Goal: 35% more students achieve a score considered “high DRAFT

likelihood of college success” (1550)

100 90

Percentage of FCS Students with an SAT Score Greater than or Equal to the 25th percentile of all students accepted to University of Georgia System Institutions Strategic Goal of 85%

80

74% 74% 72% 74% 71% 73% 73% 74%

70 60 50 2008-09 2009-10 Reading 2010-11 2011-12 Math Source: Fulton County Schools Data Warehouse 6

Goal 3: Career readiness

• • •

100%

of students will meet an objective standard for work readiness in the areas of: Applied math Reading for information Locating information DRAFT 7

Stakeholders told us where we can improve...

Fall 2010 – Spring 2011 Summer 2011 Fall 2011 Winter 2011 Spring 2012 Summer 2012 Over 1,000 teachers, administrators, and parents attended 7 Community Forums, and over 80 students participated in Focus Groups Board votes to pursue and submit Charter System Application Input collected from 300 teachers, administrators, and parents at 3 Town Hall Meetings Dr. Avossa announces “Building our Future” and the strategic planning process Fulton County Schools is approved by Georgia Board of Education to become the state’s largest Charter System

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…and identified several challenges

DRAFT Limited freedom in instructional delivery methods and course options.

Compliance driven evaluation process with lack of opportunities for employee development. Lack of cutting edge technology tools to improve teaching and learning in all schools.

Narrow opportunities for collaborative leadership in the management of schools.

Rigid guidelines and inefficient methods to allocate resources in and among schools.

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This led to development of 5 strategic focus areas

Challenge

Limited freedom in instructional delivery methods and course options.

Strategic Focus Area Advancing Instruction

Compliance driven evaluation process with limited employee development.

Enhancing People

Lack of cutting edge tools to improve teaching and learning in all schools.

Integrating Technology

Narrow opportunities for collaborative leadership in the management of schools.

Rigid guidelines and inefficient methods to allocate resources in and among schools.

Ensuring Effective Schools Managing Resources

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Each Focus Area contains several key action items

Strategic Focus Area Advancing Instruction

•

Sample Action Items

Develop customized programs of study to meet individual student needs.

Enhancing People Integrating Technology Ensuring Effective Schools

• Establish a performance management process to ensure accountability and support.

• Ensure seamless access to timely data that will drive decision making and support instruction.

• Establish effective and collaborative school governance councils at every school.

DRAFT

Managing Resources

• Decision on resource allocations placed at local level driven by local leaders. 11

In order to be successful, we need additional flexibilities - Charter System

• FCS has become the state’s largest charter system in order to provide increased autonomy for local school staff and communities. • FCS Schools equipped with flexibility and greater autonomy will have: – Greater alignment with local school priorities – Enhanced teacher influence and engagement – Improved relations between schools, parents, and their communities •

As a Charter System the District will waive major aspects of state education law and foster innovation throughout the system.

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Flexibility offered by the Charter System enables us to better address our challenges

Strategic Focus Area Example of Flexibility Provided Advancing Instruction

• Introduce additional courses and subjects at the school level.

Enhancing People

• Flexible and clear career ladder options for teachers.

Integrating Technology Ensuring Effective Schools

DRAFT

Managing Resources

• Use technology in innovative ways based on guidance from the Governance Council and best practices.

• Stakeholders have increased decision making authority with School Governance Council model.

• School flexibility in the allocation of local resources including equipment and materials.

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An example of how the Charter System supports the strategic plan:

Advancing Instruction Advancing Instruction Action Item

• Develop customized programs of study to meet individual student needs and interests.

• Increase challenging, innovative learning opportunities for all students.

• Infuse programs of study across math, science, and the humanities that promote student skills necessary for college and career DRAFT • •

Example of Flexibility Provided

Blended learning options available to address individual student instructional needs Create a broader array of credit-bearing internships aligned with students’ career and academic interests.

• Develop additional courses or partner with universities, to allow students to excel beyond a traditional high school curriculum by relaxing

seat time requirements.

• Teach applications of science and math by using qualified professionals, in addition to certified teachers, and developing practical, relevant and current course lessons and projects in partnership with corporations.

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“Building our Future” is the key to realizing our goals

• • • By 2017 –

90%

time of our students graduate on

85%

of our seniors are competitive for admission at University System of Georgia

100%

of students are career ready

One District aligned to Build the Future of the Students of Fulton County.

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How can you contribute?

• All departments will have plans to address areas relevant to their work • All schools will have a school improvement plan to identify their specific student needs and implement appropriate innovations • View ‘Building our Future’, including action steps, work plans and timelines ( www.fultonschools.org

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