PROCESS VS. PRODUCT QUIZ

Is your school improvement plan just a product you submit for approval or is it evidence of a much larger process happening within your school community?
Take this quiz to find out…..

(Rate your responses on a 1 to 5 scale.)

1. Our school improvement plan is a living document. We make changes to the document as they are needed or we keep a “running list” of changes for our annual revision. The plan is used and reviewed all the time.

Very true...1... 2... 3... 4... 5... Not true at all

2. All key stakeholders within the school community can state our student achievement goals or objectives cited in our plan. We make it a priority to inform staff, students, parents and community members about what we are focusing on so everyone can share our mission.

Very true...1... 2... 3... 4... 5... Not true at all

3. Our plan is easily accessible to all key stakeholders including staff, students, parents and community members. There are multiple copies that “float” around the building or it is posted on a website and advertised for everyone to view.

Very true...1... 2... 3... 4... 5... Not true at all

4. Sufficient reflection time dedicated to school improvement issues is built into the schedules of staff members. We have created time beyond the state approved release days for staff members to reflect on the effectiveness of our strategies.

Very true...1... 2... 3... 4... 5... Not true at all

5. It takes less than 20 minutes to complete the school improvement plan revise and revision form. We know the contents of the plan so well that determining if we have made any changes is a simple process.

Very true...1... 2... 3... 4... 5... Not true at all

How did your school do?

If you scored between 4-8 points your school understands continuous improvement as a process. No one panics when it’s time to submit your plan because everyone involved knows that the plan is a living document that is constantly changing and that continuous improvement means commitment to progress.

If you scored between 9-15 points your school probably knows that school improvement planning should be a process, but systemic barriers prevent everyone from changing their thinking. Putting a plan together is still viewed as a “chore” that takes valuable time away from what teachers should actually be doing. Your school is still learning how to use the school improvement plan as a leverage point for moving toward continuous improvement.

If you scored between 16-20 points your school probably still operates within a “mandated” mind frame. Key stakeholders continue to resent being required to develop a plan at all. Accountability is welcomed but preferably at the local level and the plan is viewed as “just another hoop” they must jump through to please others in power.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT ALIGNMENT

The new accountability system addresses the essential nature of quality professional development through several ways:

Core Principles of Professional Development - The General Assembly, through PL 221-1999, directed the Indiana State Board of Education to outline core principles of professional development that should be present in any professional development program.

Professional Development Program Integration into School Improvement Planning - There are certain professional development program requirements that must be met to assure State Board of Education approval. In an effort to assist schools in aligning professional development with student achievement, the professional development program has been included as a required component of the school improvement plan.

Professional Development Grants - The State of Indiana has provided funding for professional development programs through Professional Development Program Grants. The amount of money awarded to accredited schools who choose to apply for funding varies; depending on how much funding is set aside by the Indiana General Assembly. Click here to view approved uses for professional development program grant funds.

Other IDOE Professional Development Resources

Eight Steps to Highly Effective Next Generation Professional Development for Learning and Technology

Alternative Educators looking for professional development are encouraged to check out any conferences which may appear on this page.

ASAP Professional Development Main Page

SCHOOL PRINCIPAL

Responsibilities
The new accountability system outlines the following responsibilities for school principals:

• Coordinate the development of an initial 3-year strategic and continuous school improvement plan
• Coordinate the annual review of this plan
• Appoint administrators, teachers, parents, and community and business leaders to a committee for the development and revision of this plan

Click here to view section IC 20-31-5-1 of the accountability law.

Click here for suggested additional responsibilities of the SCHOOL PRINCIPAL.

SUPERINTENDENT

Responsibilities
The new accountability system outlines the following responsibilities for district superintendents:

• Review the plan to ensure that the plan aligns with the school district’s objectives, goals, and expectations by March 1st
• Make written recommendations of modifications to the plan (if needed) to assure alignment
• Return the plan and any recommendations to the school committee by April 1st

Click here to view section IC 20-31-5-3 of the accountability law.

Click here for suggested additional responsibilities of the SUPERINTENDENT.

SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS

Responsibilities
The new accountability system outlines the following responsibilities for school board members:

• Approve the school improvement plan for each school in the district by June 1st. (the governing body must either accept or reject the plan and may not revise the plan-that must be done by the school)
• Submit written evidence of approval that is attached to each plan

Click here to view section IC 20-31-5-3 of the accountability law.

Click here for suggested additional responsibilities of SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS.

SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE MEMBERS

Responsibilities
The new accountability system outlines the following responsibilities for school improvement committee members:

• Submit the school’s initial plan to the superintendent by March 1st
• May modify the plan to comply with recommendations made by the superintendent
• Submit the plan and any written recommendations of the superintendent to the school board by May 1st for approval
• Submit the school improvement plan to the Department of Education by June 30th

Click here to view section IC 20-31-5-3 of the accountability law.

Click here for suggested additional responsibilities of the SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE MEMBERS.

Click here for suggested responsibilities of SCHOOL STAFF MEMBERS

Click here for suggested responsibilities of PARENTS AND OTHER COMMUNITY MEMBERS

Click here for a TIMELINE of the approval/submittal process