STRATEGIC PLAN | City schools

The city school district has proposed an ambitious plan designed to improve academics, focusing not only on reading and math but on attendance, discipline and communication as well. The plan’s four goals and some of the action steps designed to achieve them are:

1. By 2012, the district will annually increase the percentage of K-12 students achieving proficiency in reading by reducing the number of students rated as basic and limited in reading by 12 percent. Youngstown’s nonproficiency level ranged from 68 percent in the fifth grade to 16 percent in the 11th grade on the 2008-09 state report card.

The district will make sure curriculum maps and pacing guides are used consistently in all grade levels.

Teachers will be trained to use those maps and guides separately or with textbooks.

The district will check to see the maps and guides are being used and devise short-cycle testing to determine success.

1. By 2012, the district will annually increase the percentage of K-12 students achieving proficiency in math by reducing the number of students rated as basic and limited by 12 percent. Youngstown’s nonproficiency level ranged from 77 percent in the eighth grade to 32 percent in the 11th grade on the state report card.

2. By 2012, the district will implement a process that meets the cognitive, social and emotional needs of all students as measured by a 2 percent annual increase in attendance and a 10 percent annual decrease in disciplinary referrals.

Disciplinary referrals are averaging about 2,000 per year.

Attendance now stands at 92.5 percent with 93 percent as the state-mandated goal. It was 91.8 percent on the 2008-09 report card.

The district, over the next three years, will implement a Truancy Mediation Program starting in the elementary grades.

The district will rejuvenate its Capturing Kids Hearts strategies to encourage students to come to school and perform academically.

The district will provide ongoing interventions for students at risk of not graduating.

1. By 2015, the district will improve the perception of the school district as measured by 5 percent annual increases on student, staff, parent and community surveys and/or focus groups.

The district will crate a new communication plan to help parents and the community become more aware of what’s going on in the schools.

The district will create a more effective system for moving staff into new positions to provide the most effective personnel possible in each job.

Source: Youngstown city schools