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Building Our Future 2017Fulton County Schools Strategic Plan

Parent Information

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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

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Our work is supported by beliefs and value statements• Our Mission

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

• Our VisionIs for all students to learn to their full potential.

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Our measures of student success

GraduationHigh 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.

College Readiness

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.

Career Readiness

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.

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Sources: Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics; Rice Center for College Readiness

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Goal 1: Graduation

Source: GA Department of Education

Fairfax, VA Cobb Fulton Gwinnett GA State DeKalb Atlanta PS40

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60

70

80

90

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91%

73%70%

68% 68%

59%

52%

2010-2011 Cohort On-Time Graduation Rate

Strategic Goal of 90%

Our Opportunity

90% of Fulton students will graduate High School on time.

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2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-1250

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74%72% 71%

73%74% 74% 73% 74%

Percentage of FCS Students with an SAT Score Greater than or Equal to the 25th percentile of all students ac-

cepted to University of Georgia System Institutions

Reading Math

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Goal 2: College readiness

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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 likelihood of college success” (1550) Source: Fulton County Schools Data Warehouse

Strategic Goal of 85%

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Goal 3: Career readiness

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100% of students will meet an objective standard for work readiness in the areas of:• Applied math• Reading for information• Locating information

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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

Fall 2010 – Spring 2011 Summer 2011 Fall 2011-Winter 2011 Spring 2012 Summer 2012

Stakeholders told us where we can improve...

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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.

…and identified several challenges

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Challenge Strategic Focus Area

Ensuring Effective Schools

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

Narrow opportunities for collaborative leadership in the management of schools.

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

Compliance driven evaluation process with limited employee development.

Limited freedom in instructional delivery methods and course options.

Managing Resources

Integrating Technology

Enhancing People

Advancing Instruction

This led to development of 5 strategic focus areas

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Strategic Focus Area Sample Action Items

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

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

Ensuring Effective Schools

Managing Resources

Integrating Technology

Enhancing People

Advancing Instruction

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

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

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

Each Focus Area contains several key action items

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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

Ensuring Effective Schools

Managing Resources

Integrating Technology

Enhancing People

Advancing Instruction

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

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

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

• Flexible and clear career ladder options for teachers.

• Introduce additional courses and subjects at the school level.

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

Advancing Instruction

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

• 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.

Example of Flexibility ProvidedAdvancing Instruction Action Item

• 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.

• 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

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

By 2017 –

• 90% of our students graduate on time

• 85% of our seniors are competitive for admission at University System of Georgia

• 100% of students are career ready

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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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