2018-2023 Strategic Plan Durham, North Carolina, Is a Thriving, Diverse, and Progressive Community
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2018-2023 Strategic Plan Durham, North Carolina, is a thriving, diverse, and progressive community. It is rooted in its rich cultural history, determined to honor its past and embrace its future as a leader in research, innovation, and economic growth. Its historic Parrish Street became known as Black Wall Street, a center of entrepreneurialism and commerce. It is the City of Medicine. It is a gateway to unlimited opportunities. Durham Public Schools (DPS) serves as the catalyst for preparing tomorrow’s leaders and innovators for success in a global economy. It is our responsibility to ensure Durham’s future by acknowledging where we are and committing to fulfill every student’s potential. This can only be achieved when everyone in the Durham community works collectively and intentionally to embody our highest aspirations for our children. Our five-year strategic plan represents a blueprint for planning, managing, and leading our journey to excellence. The goals in the plan are shaped by our core beliefs, exemplify our priorities, and commit to positive outcomes for each and every student. Each goal encompasses strategies that drive the daily efforts of our district. We invite you to become a part of this journey. Our promise is to provide An Excellent School for Every Student. The Strategic Planning Committee Fifty-two members of the Durham community from every walk of life worked together in Spring 2018 poring over academic data and collaborating on guiding principles to ensure that this strategic plan reflects Durham’s values and sound educational practice. The committee was led by the DPS Superintendent, Dr. Pascal Mubenga; the Deputy Superintendent for Academic Services, Dr. Nakia Hardy; and a retired Area Superintendent, Jim Key. The members are: • Teri Adelman, Teacher, Northern High • Francelia Burwell, Durham Council of PTAs • Arasi Adkins, Assistant Superintendent, Human • Javiera Caballero, Durham City Council Resource Services, DPS • Fernando Campos, Teacher, Jordan High • Antonio Alanis, Education Coordinator, El Centro • Mary Casey, Director, Arts Education, DPS Hispano • Xavier Cason, Durham Public Schools Board of • Donald Barringer, School of Education, North Education Carolina Central University • Suzanne Cotterman, Director, Pre-K, DPS • Aaron Beaulieu, Chief Operating Officer, DPS • Elizabeth Cross, Director, Advanced Academics, • Dr. Kristin Bell, EC Executive Director, DPS DPS • Dr. Marguerita Best, Director-Gateway to • Ainsley Dickerson, Student Representative, College, Durham Technical Community College Riverside High • Natalie Beyer, Durham Public Schools Board of • Laverne Ellis, Teacher, Lowe’s Grove Middle Education • Dr. Kimberly Ferrell, Principal, Burton • Dr. Kelvin Bullock, Executive Director, Equity Elementary Affairs, DPS • Dr. Michael Fuga, Principal, Neal Middle • Michelle Burton, Durham Association of • Ronald Godbee, Pastor, The River Church of Educators Durham • Dr. Linda Burton, Director, Duke University • Mary Griffith, Magnet School Administrator, DPS Center for Child and Family Policy • Sam Harrison, White Rock Baptist Church STRATEGIC PLAN OVERVIEW 2 • David Hawks, Principal, Durham School of the • Sashi Rayasam, Director, English as a Second Arts Language, DPS • Wendy Jacobs, Durham County Commissioner • Crystal Rogers, Parent Teacher Association (Chair) • Ivan Rosales-Flores, Student Representative, • Aminah Jenkins, Student Representative, Jordan J.D. Clement Early College High • Elizabeth Shearer, Executive Director of Student • Antonio Jones, Durham Committee on the Affairs Support Services, DPS of Black People • Rick Sheldahl, Director, Career and Technical • Kirtina Jones, Teacher, R.N. Harris Elementary Education, DPS • Tonya Keaton, Parent Representative, • Chanel Sidbury, Interim Executive Director: 6- Carrington Middle 12, DPS • Shelby Kennedy, Teacher, Mangum Elementary • Ebony Sneed, Parent Representative, Hillside • Sabrina Lamar, Immaculate Conception High • Jovonia Lewis, Parent Representative, George • Dr. Julie Spencer, Assistant Superintendent, Watts Elementary Research & Accountability, DPS • Maxwell Morrant, Student Representative, • Chip Sudderth, Chief Communications Officer, Hillside High DPS • Keith Nikoi, Teacher, Hillside High • Bettina Umstead, Durham Public Schools Board • Molly Parks, Peoples Alliance of Education • Dr. Deb Pitman, Assistant Superintendent, • Alexandra Valladares, Parent Representative, Specialized Services, DPS Durham School of the Arts • Catherine Pleil, Director, Special Projects, • Dr. Jerome Washington, Pastor, Mount Vernon Families Moving Forward Baptist Church • Bryan Proffitt, Durham Association of Educators • Alexandra Zagbayou, Executive Director, Student U Mission Durham Public Schools embraces, educates, and empowers every student to innovate, serve, and lead. Vision Durham Public Schools: Igniting Limitless Potential Core Beliefs We believe in: • Equity: Our students and schools deserve equitable access to the resources and opportunities they need to succeed. Durham Public Schools and the community must distribute those resources in a manner that eliminates inequities. • Shared Responsibility: Durham Public Schools must be intentional in acting collaboratively and involving all stakeholders, ensuring that our community utilizes its collective resources to support every child. The Durham community shares responsibility with DPS for the success of our children. • High Expectations: Durham Public Schools will challenge every stakeholder, especially our students and educators, to embrace a growth mindset: the belief that every child can be academically successful. It is our expectation that all of our students will excel globally and reach their highest potential. • A Child-centered Approach: Our students deserve an education that is caring, is culturally responsive, and embraces the whole child. Durham Public Schools will address the social, emotional, and academic needs of each student. STRATEGIC PLAN OVERVIEW 3 Theory of Action If the Durham community shares responsibility in the investment of every child using a holistic approach, then we will ensure that resources and opportunities are informed by equity and that we are intentional about setting high expectations for all stakeholders in their role in educating the whole child, as we support and increase the capacity of administrators, teachers, staff, and parents so that they are equipped to support and develop efficacy in instruction and student learning. Priorities and Goals Priority 1: Increase Academic Achievement 1A. By 2023, at least 90 percent of all Durham Public Schools will meet or exceed standards for year-to-year academic growth as measured by the state model. 1B. By 2023, at least 60 percent of all DPS students will achieve grade level proficiency as measured by End-of-Grade and End-of-Course testing. 1C. By 2023, the DPS four-year graduation rate for students who start with DPS in ninth grade will be at least 90 percent. 1D. By 2023, 100 percent of all teachers, leaders, and staff will use technology as a tool for accelerating and personalizing student learning. Priority 2: Provide a Safe School Environment that Supports the Whole Child 2A. By 2023, 100 percent of Durham Public Schools will implement research-based cultural frameworks to support the social-emotional health and safety of students and staff. 2B. By 2023, DPS will reduce the percentage of students suspended out of school from kindergarten through twelfth grade to 4 percent or lower. Priority 3: Attract and Retain Outstanding Educators and Staff 3A. By 2023, DPS will reduce the teacher turnover rate to below 14.3 percent. 3B. By 2023, the percentage of DPS educators and staff who identify as Hispanic/Latino will increase from 3 to 10 percent. 3C. By 2023, DPS will create and implement an employment satisfaction survey geared toward all staff and modeled by the Teacher Working Conditions survey, and will achieve at least an 85 percent satisfaction rate. Priority 4: Strengthen School, Family, and Community Engagement 4A. By 2023, DPS will improve the perception of each school based on the following four questions in the Teacher Working Conditions survey: o The community we serve is supportive of this school. o The school maintains clear, two-way communication with the community. o There is an atmosphere of trust and mutual respect in this school. o Overall, my school is a good place to work and learn. 4B. By 2023, DPS will strengthen family, school, and community engagement by demonstrating a 20 percent increase in the total level of parent and family STRATEGIC PLAN OVERVIEW 4 participation in school programming, either by increased levels of participation in existing programs or by increasing the number of programs. 4C. By 2023, every school will have a community partner that is committed to providing meaningful programs and services to meet the diverse needs of students. Priority 5: Ensure Fiscal and Operational Responsibility 5A. Through 2023, DPS will exhibit fiscal responsibility as measured by a clean external financial audit each year, and will receive Association of School Business Officers and Government Finance Officers’ Association certificates of achievement for excellence in financial reporting. 5B. By 2023, 100 percent of DPS schools, including the grounds, will maintain a high level of cleanliness as evidenced by earning Clean School Award status. 5C. By 2023, 100 percent of elementary schools will have adequate, appropriate classroom space to accommodate reduced class sizes