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SCHOOL STRATEGIC PLAN

Click here for a sample of a student-focused strategic plan.

   OVERVIEW OF THE SCHOOL STRATEGIC PLAN

      Accreditation within MNSAA goes beyond simply demonstrating that a school complies with a particular set of quality standards; it is also a statement of a school’s commitment to ongoing improvement. This commitment is practically demonstrated by the development of a School Strategic Plan.

The Self-Study Report provides an opportunity to reflect on the current state of the school – where the school is at now.  It also provides a way for the school to clarify and affirm its Mission and Philosophy statements. The portrait that emerges from a self-study identifies both areas of strength, as well as challenges for the future. How a school decides to actively respond to these strengths and challenges is the basis for a School Strategic Plan.

The combination of objectives, strategies and action steps is what creates a School Strategic Plan. The plan not only identifies where the school wants to be, but how the school plans to get there.

1.   DEFINITION - A School Strategic Plan sets the course and direction for all development and growth within the school. At its core, the plan identifies where the school wants to be and how the school plans to get there – it defines a practical vision and strategic plan for the school. Any and all specific planning activities should be consolidated in the School Strategic Plan.

2.   DIRECTION - The goals established within a School Strategic Plan can result from analyzing real school data or through self-evaluation (i.e. self-study). Addendums to this plan may come from external sources (i.e. visitation team findings or state/federal legal guidelines).  The School Strategic Plan should be driven by the mission of the school.

3.   LIVING DOCUMENT - A School Strategic Plan will identify clear direction and steps for improving, but still operates as a living document. Plans will evolve as circumstances change within the school. Plans also grow and extend as further detailed action is developed.

4.   REVIEW - As the School Strategic Plan is implemented, periodic review should be incorporated into the school’s calendar. The MNSAA Annual Progress Report provides one such opportunity. Such review allows the school to make appropriate revisions to its plan, and provides opportunities for recognizing success.

5.   FORMAT - Though there are many viable forms and styles for strategic plans, the school should design its School Strategic Plans with the following three components: Objectives, Strategies, and Action Steps. MNSAA requires a common format for all Strategic Plans, unless other arrangements have been agreed upon with Executive Director.
 

   FORMAT OF THE SCHOOL STRATEGIC PLAN

Though there are many various forms that a School Strategic Plan for an organization can take, MNSAA requires a particular format that meets the following criteria:

• Built with an objective/strategy/action step framework;

• Readable and understandable for all school community stakeholders;

• Ability to provide progress updates within the plan for annual reporting requirements;

• Ease of adjusting and further developing the plan; and

• Consistent format with other MNSAA Schools

   QUALITY EXPECTATIONS

To ensure that the accreditation process is focused on quality, the following expectations provide a framework for planning, implementing, and reviewing the school improvement efforts:

• VALID - The Strategic Plan and the Self-Study Report should accurately and honestly reflect the current reality within the school.

• CONNECTED - The Strategic Plan should demonstrate a clear connection to the identified strengths and challenges identified within the Self-Study Report.

• SUPPORTED - The Strategic Plan and Self-Study Report should be understood and supported by the various stakeholders within the school community.

• VISIONARY - The Strategic Plan should have a long-range focus that goes beyond the mere correction of immediate deficiencies, focusing on broader, critical issues related to the achievement of the school’s mission.

• REASONABLE - The Strategic Plan has established objectives, strategies and action steps that are built within a timeframe that is challenging, yet attainable.

• FOCUSED -  The Strategic Plan has student performance as its primary focus.  Some objectives might specifically describe improvements in student performance, while others address the broader educational program that indirectly supports student achievement.

Click here for a complete set of directions for completing your school's strategic plan.