School Improvement Plan (SIP)

William L. Valentine

Elementary School

SCHOOL SITE COUNCIL:

The School Site Council (SSC) is the body that is responsible for implementing the School Improvement Plan, which includes goals for improving the school program and the overall school environment. SSC determines these goals by collecting data from council representatives, recent Program Quality Reviews, State Compliance Reviews, Parent Needs Assessments and staff self-studies. Also important to the SSC is community input and recommendations from task force committees. Input can also be given through reports from staff memebers of particular issues such as specific curriculum areas, special schoolwide events or student issues.

SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT PLAN:

The School Improvement Plan is the "road map" for the school. It identifies goals and objectives in curricular and non-curricular areas. The ongoing implementation, monitoring and evaluation of this plan is one of the most important roles of the School Site Council. The Council may wish to invite staff members to various SSC meetings to report on the status of meeting particular goals.

The School Improvement Plan can be modified and sections may be rewritten as needed. SSC members will evaluate the course of meeting the established goals, monitor expenditures and target new areas for improvement. Evaluation also takes place in a more formal manner through Program Quality Reviews. These reviews are overseen by our consortium of districts, made up of seven neighboring school districts. Trained reviewers come in from other districts to facilitate the school's careful study of areas of improvement, and to assist in developing a School Plan. State compliance reviews are another form of evaluation. They take place on a 4-year cycle. The State reviewers audit all of the categorical programs, including School Improvement, to determine that the legal mandates are met.

COMMUNICATION WITH STAFF AND PARENTS:

Communication between the SSC, parents and staff is critically important. SSC members should actively input from parents and staff. In the Spring, parents are surveyed with a Needs Assessment. Teachers should also participate in a Needs Assessman which targets areas for school improvement. The SSC tabulates and summarizes the results.