BELMONT PUBLIC SCHOOLS LONG-TERM GOALS and IMPROVEMENT TARGETS FOR JUNE 2011 THROUGH OCTOBER 2012

Goal 1: Students of Belmont Public Schools will be confident, motivated and engaged learners who are equipped with the knowledge and skills to pursue their academic goals and become life-long learners.

• Target:  Identify our core curriculum, K-12, and expand the variety of instructional strategies, supports and interventions practiced in all schools to reach all learners.  Articulate the philosophical foundation supporting curricular and instructional strategies.

Goal 2: Students of Belmont Public Schools will be responsible, involved citizens who engage in challenging problems and who make a difference in their school, community, country, and world.

• Target:  Increase and expand K-12 opportunities for civic engagement/citizenship education, service learning and expanding global and cultural awareness.
• Target:  Develop a more comprehensive and embedded scope-and-sequence of K-12 opportunities for civic engagement.

Goal 3: Students of Belmont Public Schools will be prepared to be successful and productive workers with 21st century skills and competencies.

• Target:  Expand curricular opportunities, and enhance instruction and assessment, to develop and practice skills and competencies that prepare students as 21st century workers.

Goal 4: The Belmont Public School organization will ensure the safety and security of the school community, promote healthy choices, and support the social and emotional growth of every student.

• Target:      make changes to existing systems, structures, and programs to better address the social and emotional well-being of all students with emphasis on recognizing and managing stress, developing social competencies, and overall, achieving a positive life balance.
• Target:      Demonstrate positive, affirmative steps to achieving a safer and more secure school environment.

Goal 5: The Belmont Public School organization will attract and retain the most talented and effective teachers, staff and school leaders by offering them opportunities for professional growth within a positive and respectful work environment.

• Target:  Evaluate current systems for effectiveness to support a diverse and high performing  professional workforce – implement changes to measurably improve employment practices including selection, retention, and professional development.
• Target:  Reestablish a Curriculum Quality Assurance structure to ensure delivery of a coordinated, cutting-edge curriculum across all content areas, K-12.

Goal 6: The Belmont Public School organization will manage community resources in a manner that fulfills financial and academic expectations, and fosters an informed, trusting relationship with the community.

• Target:  Develop, communicate and report progress on an 18 Month Improvement Strategy that demonstrates positive returns on investment of community resources (beyond improved standardized test scores).
• Target:  Develop a sustainable, long-term plan that will create adequate and predictable funding and preserve the quality of public education at a level that meets community expectations.

Belmont Public Schools Long-Term Goals And Improvement Targets For November 2009 Through May 2011.

Goal 1: Students of Belmont Public Schools will be confident, motivated and engaged learners who are equipped with the knowledge and skills to pursue their academic goals and become life-long learners.

• Expand the variety of instructional strategies, supports and interventions practiced in all schools to reach all learners.

Goal 2: Students of Belmont Public Schools will be responsible, involved citizens who engage in challenging problems and who make a difference in their school, community, country, and world.

• Increase opportunities for civic engagement/citizenship education, service learning and expanding global and cultural awareness.
• Articulate core values and demonstrate progress in developing a school culture and climate that reinforce core values.

Goal 3: Students of Belmont Public Schools will be prepared to be successful and productive workers with 21st century skills and competencies.

• Expand curricular opportunities to develop and practice skills and competencies that prepare students as 21st century workers.

Goal 4: The Belmont Public School organization will ensure the safety and security of the school community, promote healthy choices, and support the social and emotional growth of every student.

• Make changes to current systems and structures so as to better address the social and emotional well-being of all students with emphasis on making healthy choices, recognizing/managing stress, and achieving a positive balance.
• Demonstrate positive, affirmative steps to achieving a safer and more secure school environment.

Goal 5: The Belmont Public School organization will attract and retain the most talented and effective teachers, staff and school leaders by offering them opportunities for professional growth within a positive and respectful work environment.

• Foster new systems and initiatives which promote selection and retention of high performing employees and provide them the professional learning required to implement the 18 Month Improvement Plan.

Goal 6: The Belmont Public School organization will manage community resources in a manner that fulfills financial and academic expectations, and fosters an informed, trusting relationship with the community.

• Develop, communicate and report progress on an 18 Month Improvement Plan that demonstrates positive returns on investment of community resources (beyond improved standardized test scores).