2013-2014 District Improvement Plan

1. Create an Instructional Core Leadership Team (ICLT) by September 2013.
2. Develop a purpose and operational statement for the group by July 2013.

1. List of staff members identified for inclusion on the ICLT
2. Statement of Purpose Document and Operational Plan for ICLT

Curriculum

To develop a process for regular review and updating of curriculum documents, and unit and lesson plans based on student assessment data.

1. Develop and communicate a structure and process for curriculum review by April 2014.
2. Determine the best option for storing and communicating curriculum documents by November 2013.

1. District curriculum philosophy statement.
   1b District curriculum review process document.
2. Recommendation will be made in time for FY15 Budget Process.

Mathematics-Elementary

Complete the K-5 Instructional Elements by January of 2014.

Select appropriate materials to implement K-5 Math Curriculum by January of 2014. Mathematics 6-12

1. Complete 6-12 Instructional Elements by January of 2014.
2. Complete review of instructional materials by January 2014.

ELA Elementary

Write a Draft K-5 ELA Curriculum Document by Complete the Common Core integration and mapping of the ELA Curriculum.

Undertake a comprehensive review of HWRHS Course Offerings and Graduation Requirements.

Mathematics-Elementary

1. Pacing Guide, Instructional Units of Study Documents, Benchmarks and Common Assessments.
2. Core materials list will be completed by 9/2013. Supplemental list will be completed by 1/2014.

Mathematics 6-12

1. Pathways Document, Core Standards by Grade/Course Document, Pacing Guides, Units of Study, and Common Assessments by January 2014
2. Rationale statement for changes in materials will be included in FY15 6-12 Mathematics Budget.

Instruction

To develop a system that allows teachers to use the results of student assessment data to tailor their instruction to the needs of their learners.

1. Train a core group of staff in the practices of using assessment data to inform instructional practice using the “Using Data Process of Collaborative Inquiry” Model.
2. Core group will review current state of data use in our schools and plan initiatives for “Phase II” implementation, including collaboration with neighboring districts and organizations.

1. Six days of training will be completed by November 2013.
2. Plans will be completed and ready for implementation by September 2014.

1. Undertake a review of best practice instructional methods.
2. Create and communicate an agreed-upon collection of best instructional practices.

(Phase II) Establish opportunities for the sharing of instructional expertise. 

1. Leadership team will use regular meeting time to review current research regarding best practices and will discuss observations of current practice.
2. Practices will be reflected in revised DCAP Document. Document will be completed by May 2014.

Safty Net

To develop a District Curriculum Accommodation Plan that clearly articulates the research-based instructional practices that will be implemented to assist all learners throughout the District.

1. Review and revise current DCAP Document.
2. Plan and deliver a series of informational meetings with faculty and community regarding the contents and purpose of the document.

see #2 above

ICLT

1. Identify a team of administrators, teachers and specialists to focus and plan the district’s work on DDMs.
2. Assess educators’ understanding of the basics of how the MCAS Student Growth Percentile is derived and how it can be used to understand student growth and progress; develop a plan for ensuring educator understanding.
3. Complete an inventory of existing assessments used in the district’s schools and assess where there are strengths to build on and gaps to fill.
4. Discuss with the district’s educational collaborative or other district partner, its interest and capacity to assist member districts in the work of identifying and evaluating assessments that may serve as DDMs.
5. Plan a process for piloting DDMs where potential measures have been identified.
6. Plan a process for researching and/or developing measures where no existing measures are deemed appropriate.
7. Create (or augment) the district’s communication plan to ensure that educators, school board members, and other stakeholders understand the role that DDMs will play in the new evaluation framework as well as a timetable for implementation.

1. Team will be members of the ICLT.
2. Wednesday Early Release Schedule will devote one Wednesday per month to the topic of assessment.
3. -6. Plan will be completed and submitted to the DESE by February 2014.

Faculty

To establish an annual robust professional development program based on the creation of professional learning teams, who through the analysis of student assessment data, define and solve problems of instructional practice.

1. Develop a PD schedule for 2013-2014 that organizes Wednesday PD Time to provide teachers with time to accomplish stated Phase I Actions/Timelines in the Instructional Core Goal Area

1. Schedule will be developed in time for distribution in August of 2013.

Superintendent Assistant Superintendent Leadership Council

Evaluation system

To fully integrate the new Educator Evaluation System as a means for educators to document successes in the use of data to improve student learning.

1. Evaluation Task Force will determine milestone dates in evaluation system and appropriate forms for documenting evaluation.
2. Complete Negotiations of contract language for new evaluation system by 6/13.
3. Develop and distribute an Evaluation Manual/Guidebook that reflects the agreed-upon teacher evaluation system.
4. Develop and implement training sessions for faculty on new evaluation system.
5. Continue regular meetings of Evaluation Task Force to foster communication regarding the progress of implementation of new evaluation system.

1. Evaluation Task Force will finalize dates and forms by 6/1/13.
2. Contract language will be ratified by HWREA and approved by HWRSC by June 2013.
3. Guidebook will be completed by November 1, 2013.
4. Training sessions will be presented to faculty during August orientation and Wednesday release time in September of 2013.
5. Task force will report progress on implementation in January and June of 2014 to SC and Faculty

Superintendent Assistant Superintendent Leadership Council

Director of Human Resources HWREA Leadership

Administration

To provide leadership team meetings and retreats that support the work of the district and develop the leadership capacity of the team to guide a school improvement program rooted in the use of data to guide decisions.

1. Revise meeting agenda to reflect the four standards of educator competency.
2. Dedicate meeting time to refining Leadership Team’s understanding of effective instructional practice.
3. Dedicate meeting time to monitoring the progress of District Improvement initiatives.

1. Meeting agendas will reflect standards for educator competency.
2. Leadership Team agendas will contain agenda items on WalkThroughs, Effective Instructional Practice and Using Data to Improve Student Learning.
3. Leadership Team Agendas will contain items relating to improvement initaitives.

District Leadership Team

1. Review Draft of Strategic Plan and Revised Mission and Expectations with School Committee.
2. Review Drafts with Schoolbased stakeholder groups.
3. Communicate completed Strategic Plan and Mission and Expectations Documents to larger community.
4. Ensure School Improvement Plans and Teacher Improvement Goals will reflect the priorities established in the Strategic Plan.
5. Review and report progress on achieving objectives identified in Strategic Plan.

1. Review with SC in May of 2013
2. Meet with School Advisory Councils and Friends Groups in May 2013.
3. New Strategic Plan will be basis for “Opening Meeting” with Faculty in August and will be communicated to school communities.
4. School Improvement Plans and Teacher SMART Goals presented in September/October of 2013 will reflect the initiatives of the Strategic Plan.
5. Reports on progress will be given to School Committee and communicated to stakeholders in January and June of 2014.

1. Make decisions regarding use of curriculum documentation software package by November 2013
2. Make decision regarding the use of My Learning Plan Software by November of 2013
3. Make decision regarding software to support Teacher Evaluation System by November 2013
4. Complete a written District Technology Plan

1. 1-3. District will have identified appropriate software systems.
2. 4 Director of Technology will complete the District Technology Plan.

1. Complete long range Master Plan with SMMA.
2. Develop facilities maintenance manual for HWRSD
3. Complete review of options for combined Department of Public Facilities and Infrastructure

1. Master Plan Document will be presented to SC in January 2014.
2. Maintenance manual/schedule will be complete in time for inclusion in FY15 Budget Discussions.
3. Collins Center recommendations will be presented to community in fall 2013.

1. Master Plan Steering Committee
2. Director of Facilities
3. Superintendent, SC, Facilities Sub-Committee 

1. Complete a comprehensive policy manual for the District.Disseminate the manual to stakeholders.
2. Guide the leadership team through the development of written procedures for the implementation of policies.

1. Policy Sub-committee will complete a policy manual by April 2014.
2. Hard copies of revised manual will be distributed to all District and School-level administrators. Existence of revised policy manual will be communicated through ConnectEd and will be posted on District Website.
3. Subcommittee of Leadership Team will be created and charged with writing procedures for relevant SC policy statements.

1. Complete a comprehensive review of staffing patterns at all school buildings, in Central Office and of support positions.Develop a list of recommended changes for the FY15 Budget

1. Review will be complete by November 1.
2. Changes will be reflected in Superintendent’s Recommended FY15 Budget

1. Revise Budget Process Calendar to accurately reflect District and stakeholder needs
2. Integrate long and short term planning needs into budget requests. 

1. Budget Process Calendar will be revised by 9.15.13.
2. Planning processes will be reflected in Superintendent’s Recommended FY15 Budget