BoardofEducationMr.RobWebb,ChairmanMr.ChrisCantrellMr.JohnDavisMr.CharlesFinleyMr.BradLongDr.DonMcNellyMr.MikeTreadwayDirectorofSchoolsMr.RobBritt

S t r i v i n g f o r E x c e l l e n c e

BlountCountySchools

Spring10

AVISIONOFEXCELLENCE!

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TableofContents

Introduction,VisionandMissionStatements P.3Beliefs P.4SustainingEducationalExcellence P.6CharacteristicsofAllHighPerformingSchools P.8Teaching,Learning&Relationships(T.L.R.) P.9 ProfessionalLearningCommunity(P.L.C.)Principal’sLeadershipAcademy P.10MeetingorExceedingHighStandards P.11 TennesseeDiplomaProjectHighExpectationsandMeasurableGoals P.12CoreAcademicPriorities P.14HighlyFunctionalSchoolGovernance P.16 DigitalClassroomsforDigitalLearnersEncouragingInnovation P.18 Facilities&FundingSummaryandConclusion P.20

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AVISIONOFEXCELLENCEFORTHEBLOUNTCOUNTYSCHOOLSBlountCountySchoolstudentsarejustasbrightandtalentedasanyinourstateandnationandarecapableofachievinghighstandards.Nowmorethaneverahighqualityeducationisneededforallstudentstomeetthechallengestheywillfaceintheirpost‐graduationlives.Therefore,weneedacompellingvisiontoguideustowardprovidingtheverybesteducationalexperiencetoourstudents.ThisdocumentisanoutlineforavisionofexcellenceineducationfortheBlountCountySchools.Asthisvisionissharedwithboardmembers,administrators,teachers,staff,students,parentsandcommunitymembers,itmostlikelywillevolveintoagreatervisiontoguideourschoolsystemtowardmeetingandexceedinghigherstandardsandgoals.Myhopeisthatthisdocumentwillserveasapointofdepartureandguidingframeworkaswebeginanotherlegofthisjourneyalongthepathtowardeducationalexcellenceforallstudents.AVisionStatement: Educationalexcellenceforallstudents!(Thisvisionstatementholdsthehopethatallstudentswillmakeapersonalcommitmenttoexcellencethroughachievingtheirpersonalbesteachandeveryday.Itisourbeliefthatwhenweperformourbest,ourbestkeepsgettingbetter,resultinginexcellence.)OurMission: Our mission is to maximize the academic potential of every child in a safe and personalized environment. The Blount County Schools will graduate students who are college and career ready and prepared to meet the challenges of the 21st century workplace.

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AVisionofExcellencebeginswithasetofpowerfulbeliefs:• Possessaunwaveringbeliefthatallchildrencanandwilllearn

• Committopersonalizingtheeducationalexperienceforallstudents

• Provideuncompromisingeducationalservicetoallstudents • Createandmaintainacultureofexcellenceinallschools • Movestudentsupthelearningladderasrapidlyaspossible • Makepartneringwithparentsapriority • Believethatthenumberonedeterminingfactorinproducingpositiveoutcomesinstudentlearningisanoutstandingteacher

• Deemhavingexceptionalleadershipateachschoolasabsolutelyessentialtoaccomplishourmission

• Holdtheunwaveringbeliefthatallchildrenwilllearnandbesuccessfulbyreachingtheirpotential.Thisbeliefisreflectedinourwordsandactions.Additionally,werecognizethatallstudentslearnindifferentwaysandatdifferentratesofspeed.Wearecommittedtoadjustingourinstructionalapproachtomeettheneedsofallstudentsatalllevelsoflearning.

• Committopersonalizetheeducationalexperienceforeverychild.Thispledgemeansthatallstudentshaveatleastoneadultinthebuildingwhomakesaconnectionwiththemandconsistentlyshowscare,concernandadvocacyforthem.Research has shown that students who have at least one strong relationship with a caring adult at school are more likely to complete their school work, engage in the life of the school, experience academic success, and graduate on time.Furthermore,theschoolhasaplanforeachstudent’spathtosuccess.Thisplantakesshapeasapersonallearningplanthatincludesastudent’sstrengths,weaknesses,goalsforimprovementandaplanforachievement.

• Possessanattitudeandcommitmenttoprovideanuncompromisingeducationalservicetostudents,parentsandtheschoolcommunity.Allteachersandsupportstaffclearlyunderstandtheirrolesinservingourstudentsandtheirparents.

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Allmembersoftheschoolstaffchoosetoperformtheirroleswithenthusiasm,energy,careandcommitmenttoexcellence.

• Createandmaintainacultureofexcellencewhereallstudentsfeeltheycanbesuccessfulandrealizetheiracademicpotential.Alladultsarefocusedonproducingsuperiorresults,andallstudentsexhibitanattitudeofcaringandadesiretostrivefortheirpersonalbest.Thecultureineachschoolisonethatvaluesstudenteffortandachievementatalllevels.

• Committotakingstudentswherevertheyareonthelearningladderandmovethemupasquicklyaspossible.Wemustreachandchallengeallstudentsatalllevels.Thismandaterequiresteacherstoidentifywherestudentsareonthelearningladder,toplantheirapproachcarefully,andtomonitorthestudents’progressalongtheclimbingprocess.

• Believeinthepowerofpartneringwithparentstoensureallstudentslearnandaccomplishtheirgoals.Wearecommittedtofindingnewandinnovativewaystoengageparentsintheirchildren’seducation.Werecognizethatparentsorguardiansareengagedinvocationsandcareersoutsidethehomeandweaseducatorsmustfindwaystomaximizetheirinvolvementintheirchild’seducation.

• Believethatforallthecomplexitiesofeducatingtoday’sstudentsthereisnothinggreaterindeterminingstudentlearningsuccessthananoutstandingteacher.Ateacherwholoveschildrenandhasapassionforteaching,learningandbuildingrelationshipsisvital.Suchateacherwillassistallstudentstorisetotheirlevelofexpectations.

• Deemhavingexceptionalleadershipattheschoollevelasabsolutelyessentialforourschoolstorealizethevisionofexcellenceforallstudents.Highperformingschoolsareleadbyhighperformingprincipalswhoareabletogrowteacher‐leadersintheirschools.

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AVisionofExcellencebuildscapacitytosustaineducationalexcellence:

• WemustembracehighstandardsandfullyimplementtheTennesseeDiplomaProject.Allstakeholdersmustbeencouragedtosupporthigheracademicstandardsforstudentsandcommittoprovidingthenecessaryresourcestomeetallstudents’needsandachievesuccess.

• Wemusthire,retain,trainandsupportthehighestqualityandmostexceptionalprincipalstoleadourschools.Theseprincipalsmustshareourcommonvision,possesstheskills,knowledgeanddecision‐makingabilitytoleadaschooltosuccessfuloutcomes,andexhibitahighlevelofinstructionalleadershiptoensureallstudentsachievetheirpotential.Theyaccepttheirresponsibilitytoleadandmanageanoutstandingschoolprogramandestablishanenvironmentforbuildingacultureofexcellenceintheirschool.Theseprincipalsmustbesatisfiedwithleadingahigh‐performingschoolasmeasuredbystudentachievementdata,value‐addedscoresandhighgraduationrates.

• Wemusthire,retain,trainandsupportthehighestqualityandmostexceptionalteacherstoinstructourstudentsandensuretheiracademicsuccess:teacherswhoaccepttheawesomeresponsibilitytomaximizetheacademicpotentialofeverystudent;teacherswhocaredeeplyforchildrenandarepassionateaboutteaching,learningandbuildingrelationships;teacherswhohaveaskillsettodiagnose,prescribeandmonitorstudentlearningandproducepositiveresults.Withoutquestion,exceptionalprincipalsandteachersareabsolutelyessentialandimperativetorealizingourvisionofexcellence.(TheBlountCountySchoolsalreadypossessthehumancapitalwithavastbaseofexceptionalteachersandprincipalstoachieveandsustaineducationalexcellence.Itisextremelyimportantthatweprovidetimelyandstrategicprofessionaldevelopmentandsupportaswecontinuetogrowourprofessionalstaff.)

• Wemusthire,retainandtrainthehighestqualityandmostexceptionalsupervisorystafftosupportourteachers,principalsandtheirschools:supervisors/coordinatorswhoaccepttheirroleasprovidinguncompromisingeducationalsupporttoourBlountCountySchoolcommunitythroughassistingprincipals,teachers,

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studentsandparentsinaccomplishingtheirgoalsandrealizingthevision.

• Wemustsupportstudents,parents,teachersandprincipalsbyhiringthehighestquality,mostdedicatedandskilledparaprofessionalsandsupportstaffincludingteachingassistants,custodians,administrativeassistants,bookkeepers,nurses,schoolcounselors,consultingteachers,instructionalcoaches,graduationcoaches,speechlanguagepathologists,occupationaltherapists,physicaltherapists,schoolpsychologists,socialworkers(FRC),andcafeteriateammembers.Thisgroupacceptstheirroleassupportingthevisionofexcellencebyprovidinguncompromisingservicetotheirschoolcommunity.Wemustneverforgetthatourstudents’educationalexperienceisenhancedwhentheyattendaschoolthatisclean,well‐maintained,withquality,well‐preparedandnutritiousfood,wheretheyaregreetedbyasmilefromtheofficestaffandassistedbyasupportiveandskilledteacheraide.

• Allintheschoolorganizationmustunderstandtheirrole,whatparttheyplayandtheimpacttheyhaveonstudentperformance,andrealizethevisionofexcellenceforallstudents.

• Wemustdevelopandmaintainastudent‐centered,value‐orientedanddata‐drivenschoolculture.

• Wemustlearntoutilizethedataavailabletoinformourschool,todevelopinstructionalplans,andtoenhanceourinstructionalprograms.

• WemustdevelopandmaintainasystemofaccountabilitywhereprincipalsaretheCEOsoftheirschoolsandaccountableforallstudentoutcomes.Principalswillacceptresponsibilityforleadingandmanagingallaspectsoftheirschools.Theywillworkinconcertwiththedirectorofschoolsandthesystem’sgoalsandpriorities.

• Wemustdevelopandmaintainaschoolsystemculturethatvaluescollaborationandshareddecision‐making.

• Wemustdevelopandmaintainaculturethatvaluescollegiality,whereteachersworktogetherasateamtoresolveissues,supporteachotherbyimprovingpedagogyandmeetchallenges.

• Wemustfullyengageourcommunityinourschools.Businessandindustryandtheoverallcommunityatlargehaveavestedinterestinthesuccessofourschoolsystem.Weneedtofind

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meaningfulwaysforourcommunitytocontributetowardsignificantlyimprovingourschools.

AVisionofExcellence:Allschoolsorganizedaroundthesixmostcommoncharacteristicsofallhighperformingschools:

• Safeandorderlyenvironment• Highlyorganizedandstructured• Highexpectationsandaccountability• Maximumtimeontask• Data‐baseddecisionmaking• Positiveandstrongleadership

Safeandorderlyenvironment:

• Acultureexistswhereallstudentsfeelphysically,mentally,andemotionallysafe

• Appropriatelevelsofadultsupervisionsupportthesafetyandwell‐beingofallstudents

• Thereisacoordinatedeffortbetweentheschool’sadministrationandtheSafetyResourceOfficertodevelopandimplementplansforasafeschoolenvironment

Highlyorganizedandstructured:

• Proceduresandprocessesexistforallaspectsoftheschooloperation

• Aninstructionalplanisinplaceandcarriedouteachday• Theorganizationisstudent‐centered

Highexpectationsandaccountability

• Clearlydefinedexpectationsexistandareconsistentlycommunicated

• Expectationsarehigh,butrealisticandmeasurable• Everyonetakesresponsibilityfortheresultsandoutcomesoftheschool,primarilystudentperformance

Maximumtimeontask:

• Mitigateand/oreliminateinterruptionstoinstruction• Teach,assess,evaluateandmonitorbelltobell• Increaseinstructionalminutesandfocusonacademicpriorities

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Data­baseddecisions:• Usedatatoinforminstructionaldecisions• Usedatatocreateastrategicplanforimprovement• Usedatatomonitorstudentprogresstowardgoalsandadjustinstruction

Positiveandstrongleadership:

• Principalsandteachersworkinconcertwithoneanother• Principalsdevelopstrongteacherleadershiptomaximizestudentlearning

• Principalsandteachersleadthroughestablishingaconsistentlypositiveculturefortheschoolcommunity

AVisionofExcellencecomeswithanemphasisonTeaching,LearningandRelationships(T.L.R.):

• TheT.L.R.ofeducationmustbeaprimaryfocusforalleducators.Althoughwedealwithmanydistractionsandcomplexitiestoeducatingtoday’sstudents,wemustbecommittedtoplacingthemajorityofourtime,talent,energyandattentiononeffectiveteaching,qualitylearning,andbuildingrelationshipswithstudents.Itisimportanttomitigateand/oreliminatedistractionsandkeepourfocusonmaximizingtheacademicpotentialofeverystudent.Westronglybelievethatifyouplaceastudentinanurturingenvironmentwithastrongteacherwhobuildsarelationshipwiththatstudenttheywilllearnandachievesuccess.

AVisionofExcellencemeanstheestablishmentofaprofessionallearningcommunity(PLC)andcommitmenttosystematic,on­goingprofessionalgrowthforalleducators:

• Itisfarbettertoseeasermonthantohearone.Ithinkthesameistrueaboutgreatprofessionaldevelopment.Educatorscanlearninfinitelymorebywatchingagreatteacherteachthantheycanbyhearingthemtalkaboutit.Weneedtofindwaysforourbestteacherstodemonstratetheircraftwhileteachingtheirclasses.Furthermore,webelievethisstrategyisevenmoreeffectivewhendoneinthecontentareaoftheobservingteachers.Inotherwords,mathteachersshouldobserveagreatmathteacherteachmath.Anaddedbenefitofthistypeofprofessionaldevelopmentisnotonlymoreeffective,butalsorelativelyinexpensive.

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• Wemusthaveourbestteachersobserveotherteachersteach.Then,thoseteachersprovideimmediatefeedbackandcoachingtotheteacherbeingobserved.Thisstrategycoupledwiththeaboveprofessionalgrowthactivitybuildstheinfrastructureforaprofessionallearningcommunitythatpotentiallycantransformteachereffectivenessatalllevels.

• EachschoolneedstodevelopthisideaofaPLCaroundcollaborationandcollegiality.Principalsneedtoplanprofessionaldevelopmenttimeforcontent‐specificactivitiesanddiscussion.Additionaltimeisneededforcollaborationandplanningaroundschoolimprovementand/orreform.

• TechnologymustenhanceourprofessionalgrowthapproachbybroadeningPLCacrossthesystemandopeningthepossibilityofpartneringwithothersystemsthroughwatchingpodcastsofotherteachersteaching,anddiscussingpedagogy,curriculum,classroommanagementandahostofotherspecificinstructionalissueswithotherteachersthroughvideoconferencing.

• Instructionalcoacheswouldgotoclassroomsandworkone‐on‐onewithteacherstosupportgrowthandimproveeffectiveness.

• Train‐the‐trainerconceptmustbeutilized.Ateamofteachersissentforspecializedtrainingtotrainothers.Thisteamreturnstothedistricttotrainteachersinindividualschoolstoaddressspecificneeds.Thetrainerison‐siteoravailableforon‐goingtrainingandfollow‐up.

AVisionofExcellencemeanstheestablishmentofaPrincipal’sLeadershipAcademytoensuretheappropriatetrainingandprofessionalgrowthforourschoolleaders:

• Wemustprovideourprincipalswithhigh‐qualityleadershiptraining.Thistrainingwillbepracticalanddesignedtodirectlyimpactthepracticeoftheprincipalsintheirindividualschools.Thistrainingwillbemeasuredbythedevelopmentandeffectivenessofeachprincipalasitrelatestotheperformanceofhis/herschool.

• ParticipationinandresultsfromthePrincipalsLeadershipAcademywillbepartofthePrincipalsPerformanceContract.

• Weneedtoincludeseveralmodules/workshopsayearforAssistantPrincipalsandthoseaspiringtobecomePrincipalsinoursystem.

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• DevelopmentoftheideaofAssistantPrincipalInternsinourschoolsystemisapriority.

Buildtheinfrastructureandcapacitytomeetand/orexceedthestandardsoftheTennesseeDiplomaProject.

• Wemustprepareandgraduateallstudentswhoarecollegeandcareerready.WemustembracethenewstandardsandpreparestudentsfromPre‐Kthroughgrade12withavisionforsuccessfuloutcomes.Ourplanwillprovideacademicandemotionalsupportandinterventionsatalllevelstoensureallstudentshaveanequalaccesstoaqualityeducation.Inaddition,wemustsupportandchallengethosehighperformingstudentswiththemostrigorouscurriculumandmovethemtowardadvancedplacementand/ordualenrollmentcourseswhileinhighschool.

• WeneedsufficientresourcesandsupportstofullyimplementtheTennesseeDiplomaProject.Theseresourcesincludeinstructionalmaterialsalignedtothestatecurriculumstandards,alongwithscheduleddiagnosticassessmentstomonitortheprogressofourstudents,contentspecificprofessionaldevelopmentforteachers,principalsandcounselors,andcoordinatedinterventionsforlow‐performingstudents.Intenseinterventionsforlow‐performingstudentsrequiretheadditionaltime‐on‐taskopportunities,whichmayincludeafterschoolandsummertutorials.Theseinterventionsmustbewell‐designedandcoordinatedtomeettheneedsofindividualstudents.Bustransportationisrequiredtoensurethatstrugglingstudentsfullyparticipate.

• Althoughthereisnowonegraduationtrack,wemustcreatemultiplepathwaystograduationandatransitionintotheworkplaceorpostsecondaryeducation.Weneedtoexpande­learning,dualenrollment/credit,earlycollegehighschoolopportunities,STEMhighschool,andadvancedplacementprograms.Additionally,weneedtobuildintoourhighschoolsmoreflexibilityforstudentstoattainandmastercontent.Theseinnovationswillcomethroughflexiblescheduling,videostreaminganduseoftechnologiesandothercreativepossibilities.

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AVisionofExcellencesetshighexpectationsandbenchmarksintheformofmeasurablegoals:

• 98percentofourstudentswillcompletehighschool• 90percentwillgraduatewitharegularhighschooldiploma• 75percentofallstudentswhotaketheACTwillscorea21orhigherandouroverallcompositescoreforBlountCountySchoolsstudentswillbea22orhigher.

• 95percentofour11thgraderswillscorea4orbetteronthewritingassessmentandoursystemaveragewillconsistentlyreflectascoreof4.0orhigher.

• 95percentattendancerateforthesystemwillbeattained

Althoughthereisambiguitywiththeimplementationofnewandsignificantlymorerigorousstandards,significantlymoredifficulttestsandhighercutscorestodetermineproficiency,weofferwhatwebelievearerealisticgoalsforthepercentofstudentsscoringproficientorhigher.Thesegoalsarelongtermandshouldbelookedatintermsofbenchmarksforthefutureandnotimmediategoals.The2010testresultswillprovideanewbaselineofproficiencyratesacrossthestateofTennessee.Therefore,thegoalsbelowreflectapercentagetoworktowardaswemoveforwardinthefuture.

• 90percentofallstudentswillscoreproficientoradvancedinreading/languagearts,mathandscience

• Wewillshowconsistentandsteadyimprovementwithallsub‐groups

OneofthemostsignificantmeasuresofdeterminingifwearereachingallstudentsandmaximizingtheiracademicpotentialistheTennesseeValue­AddedAssessmentSystem(TVASS)DiagnosticReport.Thisreportmeasuresstudents’achievementgainsfromyeartoyearforthefiveachievementsub‐groups(lowesttohighest).

• Ourgoalwillbeaminimumcumulativegainscoregoalineachachievementsub‐groupofpositive2orhigherinreading/languagearts,mathandscience

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Likewise,ouroverallTVASSgoalswillbesetasapositive2forsubjectsineachgradelevel.

• Reading/languagearts +2• Math +2• Science +2

IncoreacademicachievementareaswehaveagoalofconsistentlyachievingA’sinreading/languagearts,mathandscienceandaBorhigherinsocialstudies.5‐YearGoalsforGrades3‐8Achievement:

Subject 2009Score

2009Grade

5­YearGoalScore

5­YearGoalGrade

10­YearGoalScore

Math 50 B 58 A 63Reading/Language 50 B 58 A 63

Science 50 B 55 A 58SocialStudies 50 B 55 A 58

AcademicGrowth:(Value‐Added)

Subject 2009Score

2009Grade

2009StateGrowthStandard0.0

3­YearGoalScore

3­YearGoalGrade

Math ‐0.1 C >=2.0 AReading/Language ‐0.8 D >=2.0 A

Science 0.3 C >=2.0 ASocialStudies ‐1.3 D >=1.0 B

WritingAssessmentinGrades5,8and11willconsistentlyscorea4orhigherwithagradeofA.

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Grades9‐12:ACTAchievement

2009 3‐yr.Avg.

5­yr.Goal 8­yr.Goal

Composite 20.5 20.5 21.2 22English 20.6 20.5 21.5 22Math 19.4 19.5 21 22Reading 21.4 21.3 21.5 22.3Science 20.2 20.2 21 21.6

AVisionofExcellenceisfocusedoncoreacademicpriorities:

• Intensefocusonliteracyincludingreading,writingandoralcommunicationskills.Webelievethatliteracyisthegoldenkeytoacademicsuccessandsuccessinthepresentandfutureworkforce.Beingfullyliterateempowersstudentsandprovidesastrongfoundationforcollegeandcareerreadiness.

o Readingmustbetaught(directinstruction)frompre‐kindergartenthroughthe12thgradewithanincreasedandintensefocusonreadingskills,fluencyandcomprehensioningrades4through9.Readingforinformationisacriticalskillthatmustbetaughtandreinforcedthroughoutastudent’sacademiccareerintheBlountCountySchools.

o Writingwillbeaco‐partnerwiththefocusonreadingingradeskindergartenthrough12.Specialattentionwillbegiventowritingthroughoutthecurriculum.Wemustpossesshigherexpectationsandemployconsistentstrategiesforwritingacrossthecurriculumingrades3through12.Specificandgoal‐directedwritinginterventionsmustexistforstudentsstrugglingwithwritingskills.

o OralCommunicationistheabilitytoeffectivelyorganizeandarticulateinformation,directions,thoughtsandopinions.Thisskilliscriticalinpreparingfullyliterategraduateswhocancompeteforfutureemploymentinagloballandscape.Aconcertedefforttoalignthisskillwithstandardsandintegrateitthroughoutthecurriculumshouldoccuringrades3through12.

o MasteryofcomplexcommunicationsaswellasotherlanguageswillbeconsideredforinclusioninourK‐12

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curriculum.Weneedtointegratecommunicationthroughallcoreareasubjectsandbegintoteachforeignlanguagesinthelowergrades.

• Focusonmathandscienceforallstudentsinallgrades.Withthenewandhigherstandards,weneedtoraiseourexpectationsandstrengthenourinstructionaldeliverysystemstoreachhigherlevelsofmasteryandprepareourstudentsfortheincreaseddemandsofthemathandsciencecurriculum.Ourapproachmustbemoresystematictochallengestudentsregardlessoftheirlevelofproficiency.Weneedtoprovideadvancedstudentswithastronger,morecomplexcurriculumwhileprovidingintenseinterventionforthosewhoarebehind.Mathandscienceneedtobemorecoordinatedandintegratedformaximizinginstructionaltimeandproducingpositiveresults.Throughourmathandsciencecurriculum,weneedtodeveloptheabilitytoanalyze,synthesizeandsolveproblemsfromwhichtherearenoroutinesolutions.

AVisionofExcellencecultivatesandpromotesexcellenceinthearts,athletics,physicalfitnessandwellness,careertechnicaleducation,technology,personalfinance,foreignlanguages,andothercoursesthatenhancetheeducationalexperienceofourstudents.

• Althoughtheseco‐curricularareasstandontheirownmerit,theyprovidereinforcementandsupporttotheacademicareasbyprovidingopportunitiestoapplyknowledgeandskills,criticalproblemsolving,teamwork,stimulatecreativity,makeapplicationofthecoresubjectskillstotherealworldandprovideavalue‐addedcomponenttooureducationalofferings.

• Theyalsoprovideasignificantservicetoourschoolcommunitiesthroughconnectingandengagingmanystudentsinlifechangingways,careerorientation,goalsettingand,yes,providinghopeforabrighterfuturebystayinginschoolandmatriculatingtoasuccessfulschooloutcome,namelygraduation.

• Throughtheseclassesandotheropportunities,ourstudentsneedleadershipexperiences,adevelopmentofapersonalvaluesystem,andmoralcharacter,anawarenessofglobalissuesandconcerns,anacceptanceandappreciationforothercultures,andacommitmenttoleadingalifeofpurpose.

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AVisionofExcellenceincludesahighlyfunctionalschoolgovernance:

• Toensurethatourstudentsachieveeducationalexcellence,ourBoardofEducationandDirectorofSchoolsmustworkcollaborativelyandinconcertwitheachother.

• TheBoardofEducationandDirectorofSchoolsmustactwithasinglemindednessandfocusonourcommongoalsandpriorities.

• TheBoardofEducationandDirectorofSchoolsmustworktomitigateand/oreliminateanydistractionsthatmaytakeusawayfromourcoreeducationalmission.

• TheBoardofEducationandDirectorofSchoolswillworktogethertodevelopasolidandcollaborativerelationshipwithgovernmentexecutivesandthecountycommission.

• TogethertheBoardofEducationandDirectorofSchoolswillsetthecourse,establishthegoalsandprovidetheresourcesandinfrastructureforallourschoolstobehighperforming.

AVisionofExcellencemeansdigitalclassroomsfordigitallearners:

• Thismaybedreaming,butthatiswhatgreatvisionisallabout:dreamingofthepossibilities.Ourdreamistohave21stcenturydigitalclassroomsandahighlytrainedandsupporteddigitaleducatorleadingthoseclassroomsforallourdigitallearners.

• Althoughtechnologyiseverchanging,todaywedreamofeveryclassroombeingequippedwithalaptopcomputer,LCDprojector,smartboard,aclassroomassessmentsystemandthreestudentcomputers.Thesearethedigitaltoolsnecessarytobetterengagestudentsintoamoreinteractivelearningenvironment.Byintegratingtechnologyintolessons,weconnectwiththevastmajorityofstudentswhoaredigitallearners.Inaddition,technologyallowsustoindividualizeandevencustomizetheeducationalexperienceformanystudentsinneed.

• Eachschoolwill(dependingonthenumberofstudents)haveatleastonequalitycomputerlabormore.Thelab(s)willhaveateacherorparaprofessionalassignedtorunthelabincooperationwiththeteachers.Ultimately,weneedtohaveanadultwhorunsthelabandisaccountableforthecomputersinitsoperation.

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• Allthetechnologyintheworldisuselessifwedonotsupportitwithsystematicandon‐goingtrainingforourteachersaswellaspropermaintenanceandaccountability.Weneedtohireadditionaltechnologysupportstafftoprovideeachschooltimelyandconsistenttrainingandsupport.Additionally,theywillsupportthisinfusionoftechnologythroughmaintenance,accountabilityandcareofthetoolsoftechnology.

• Inadditiontomoreengagingandinteractivelessonsthroughtheuseoftechnologyintheclassroom,teacherswillhavemanyresourcesavailabletostudentsandparentsthroughindividualteacher/classwebpagesthatwouldfeaturedailylessons,assignments,resourcesforself‐help,opportunitiesformorein‐depthlearning,academicsupportthroughindividualizedlearningmodules,podcastsoflessons,homeworkhelp,distancelearning,andthelistgoeson.Infact,thepossibilitiesareendless.

• Weseeaday,downtheroad,whenstudentswillcarryadevicethesizeofacellphoneoritouchthatwillhavethestudents’textbooksloadedonit,internetaccessbothathomeandatschool,theabilitytoregistertheiranswerstoin‐classquestionsand/orquizzes,lookupvocabulary,research,writeapaper,prepareaPowerPointpresentation,createapodcastanduploadittotheteacher’swebpage,andworkonanindividualizedlearningplanallonthisonedevice.Weareclosertothisrealitythanmostwouldthinkpossible.Weneedtobeopentolookingatusingcellphonestoenhanceourinstructionalenvironments.

• Weneedtoutilizevideoconferencingtoexpandcourseofferingsandprovideourstudentswith21stcenturylearningopportunities.

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AVisionofExcellencechallengesthestatusquoandencouragesalleducatorstoinnovate,addressandsolvecompellingissues,eliminateobstaclestolearning,findmoreeffectivewaystodeliverarigorouscurriculumandraisestudentachievement.

• Ifwewantsuperiorresults,wemustturntoourexpertstoprovideleadership.Teachersaretheexperts,andexceptionalteachersfindordiscoverawaytodeliverthenewcurriculumstandardsandproduceoutstandingstudentachievementresults.

• Weneedtocreatesystemstolearnfromourpocketsofexcellenceandapplythoselessonsandrecommendationsinotherclassroomsandschoolssystem‐wide.

• Simplyput,weneedtodobusinessdifferentlyifweareintentonachievingourgoals.

AVisionofExcellencemeansfacilitiesthatprovideadequatespacefortheacademicprogramandfacilitiesthatareclean,comfortableandwellmaintained.

• WewillcontinuetoimplementourbuildingprogramwiththeNewProspectElementarySchoolslatedtoopeninthefallof2011‐12.(FundingapprovedbytheBlountCountyCommission,November2009)

• Itisprudenttocontinuetoplanforgrowth.HeritageMiddleSchoolispresentlyovercrowdedandHeritageHighSchoolwillcontinuetogrowlarger.Theseissuesaswellasotherswillbestudiedandaplanwillbedeveloped.

• Arevisedfacilitiesmaintenanceplanforexistingbuildingsmustbedevelopedtoaddressneedsacrosstheschoolsystem.

AVisionofExcellenceincludesadequatefundingforourschoolsthatsupportsourvisionandmission:

• OverthepasttenplusyearsourschoolsystemhasbeentransformedmovingfromK‐8schoolstoK‐5elementary,andgrades6‐8middleschools.Thisprocesshasseenthebuildingoffivenewfacilitiesandarenovationoftheexisting9thgradeacademybuildingtosolvemostofourcriticalovercrowdingissues.TheBlountCountySchoolsisgratefulfortheadditionalspaceforourstudentsincludingthenewProspectElementarySchoolthatwillalleviateovercrowdingatPorterElementaryandpreventovercrowdingissuesatWallandElementaryformany

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years.However,akeyconcernforourdistrictisthefundingforouroperationalbudget.

• Withthecontinuationofaneconomicdownturnincludingunemploymentat10percentinBlountCountyandsaletaxrevenueshortfallsofbetween8and10percentcoupledwiththestatecuttingfundsandmandatingnewstandardsandadditionalexpenditures,(TCRScontributions,etc.)the2010‐11budgetmaybetheworstoursystemhaseverseen,(atleastinrecentmemory).

• Ourvisionistoenlisttheassistanceofourfundingbodywithadequatefundingofouroperationalbudget.Wemustcontinuetobuildarelationshipofopennessandtransparencywiththecommissionandfocusonthefutureoftheschoolsystem.

• TheBoardofEducationandCommissionwillworktogethertoformulateanoperationalspendingplanthatwillprovidethehumanandmaterialresourcesourteachersandstudentsneedtoachievethehigherstandardsandsuccessfullyimplementtheTennesseeDiplomaProject.Thisplanmustincludeadditionalrevenueforourschoolsystemifwearetorealizethevisionofexcellenceforallstudents.(ItisunderstoodthattheBlountCountycommunityissufferingfromadeepeconomicrecessionandadditionalnewrevenuewouldfollowimprovementsinoureconomicclimate).

• ItisparamountthatweaseducatorsimpressuponthecommissionandourcommunitythateducationisworththeinvestmenttoallBlountCountyresidents.Thereturnontheinvestmentwillcomewithahigherstandardoflivingandqualityemploymentopportunities.

• Anotherconcernisourlackofafundbalanceor“rainydayfund”.TheBCShasbeenbudgetingmostifnotallofourfundbalanceabove3percentforthepastseveralyearsinordertobalanceouroperationalbudget.Thosefundshavecontinuedtodiminish,andasaresult,wehavelittletonoreserveabovethestaterequired3percentoffundbalance.Thisfactismoretroublingbecauseweneedourrainydayfundnowmorethanever.Therefore,partofthisvisionisthatweincludebuildingourfundbalancebacktoanacceptableleveloverthenextfivetoeightyearsasoneofourrecommendations.AchievingthisgoalwillprovidetheBoardofEducation,theCountyCommissionandmostimportantlythe

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studentsoftheBlountCountySchoolsamoresoundandsecurefutureaswemoveforward.

Insummary,ourvisionplanincludesthefollowingkeypoints:

• Highexpectationsandaccountabilityforall• Exceptionalleadershipattheindividualschoollevel• Outstandingteachersforallstudents• Emphasisonqualityprofessionaldevelopmentthroughaprofessionallearningcommunity

• Student‐centered,value‐orientedanddata‐drivensystemthatpermeatesourschoolculture

• Adominatefocusonteaching,learningandbuildingrelationships• Emphasisonliteracyandthecoreacademicareas• Engagingparentsandcommunityinsignificantandmeaningfulways

Inconclusionallowustomakeafewboldstatements.WebelievethattheBlountCountySchoolsisagoodschoolsystemwithpocketsofexcellence.However,wefurtherbelievethatwecanbeagreatschoolsystemthatexcelsatornearthetopofthestateandnation.Itisnolongeracceptabletoprovidean“average”or“adequate”educationalexperienceforourstudents.Inorderforourstudentstomeetthechallengesandcompeteinthe21stcenturyworkforce,theymustearnaworld‐classeducation.Ourstudentswillcontinuetofaceanuncertainandrapidlychangingworldwheretheirpreparednessforcollegeandcareeropportunitieswillhaveaprofoundeffectontheirlevelofemploymentandqualityoflife.Moreover,weareconvincedthatwehavethetalentwithexceptionaleducatorsandstaffinplacetoprovideaworld‐classeducationalexperienceforourstudents.Ourstudentsarebright,intelligentandcapablelearnerswhocanbemotivatedtoachievehigherstandards.Ourparentsaresupportiveandprovideawealthofuntappedopportunitiestousineducation.Yet,wecontinuetobeinneedofmoreresourcesandtoolstoassistourstudents,especiallythosewhoarestruggling.Allwhowork,learnandparticipateintheBlountCountySchoolSystemcannotdoitalone.ItwilltaketheentireBlountCountycommunityworkingtogethertorealizethisvisionofexcellenceforallstudents.Weareconfidentwecanandwillsucceed.

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Finally,wehavealwaysbeenstruckandimpressedwiththeextraordinarybeautyofBlountCountyandtheextraordinarypeoplethatmakeourcommunitysospecial.Thisiswhyweposethequestion,“Whywouldwesettleforordinaryandwhenwecanbeextraordinary?”Ourstudentsneedanddeserveanextraordinaryeducationalexperiencethatultimatelyleadsthemtorealizetheirfullpotentialandcontributesignificantlytotheircommunityandtheworld.Thankyoufortakingthetimetoreadthisvisiondocument.Wehopeyouhavefounditinformativeandhelpfulintermsofknowingmoreaboutwherewearegoingasaschoolsystem.Yourfeedbackiswelcome.Pleasefeelfreetoemailyourcommentsand/orquestionsourSchoolBoardMembersorourDirectorofSchools.rob.britt@blountk12.org.