Needs identified and addressed through Race to the Top: Improve reading and math proficiency for all grades and subgroups; close achievement gaps particularly in special education and ELL math; provide early education for students feeding into high-need schools
Major initiatives and investments:
- Establishment of STEM and IB programs at middle and high schools and expansion of Career Technical Education offerings
- Academic Deans assigned to ten schools where they will focus on instruction and evaluation of teachers
- Building Leadership Teams in all schools and teacher leaders in all high-need schools
- New educator pipelines for hard-to-staff subject areas
- School Data and Test Coordinators to promote data-driven instruction
- An enhanced pre-school program to offer students the opportunity for early interventions and instruction, allowing them to enter kindergarten with tools necessary for academic success
- A professional development plan complemented by the School Support Team, which will include district-trained administrators conducting walk-through visits of schools to help identify areas of professional growth
Other innovations within the plan:
- A community health model in high-need elementary schools to provide preventive and mental health professionals
- Support to teachers to participate in NBCT certification