For quite some time, I have questioned the format of our school’s district improvement plan. Although our meets the goal-setting and planning requirements, it seems to be more of a “list” of programs and activities, rather than a plan for the future. The budget resources are included in the plan, but not in a way that reflects goal driven budgeting. It has been my understanding that the template we use is what is required by the state. However, the AISD plan is nowhere near the same as our template. This shows me that the format of our plan can be changed to better meet our planning needs. I would like to find a middle ground between our formal plan and the AISD less structured plan.
One of the things I really like about the AISD plan was the links to various types of data. Rather than list every little detail in the plan, they offered a link that went straight to the source. This is a great idea and is beneficial to anyone looking through the plan. I also like the way they listed their campus teams, meetings and attendance in a clear and concise format.
Providing the list of comp ed expenditures in Appendix A provided valuable budgeting information in a useful format. The one thing I might change is to include exactly how much of the comp ed money is spent on each activitiy list. Our plan identifies specific comp ed expenditures throughout the plan, but the information is sporadic and not in one easy to read location.
The list of external resources and the programs they fund was also valuable information. I found Appendix A to be of great benefit and would like to add that type of information to our plan. Again, I would include the specific dollar amount applied to each activity.
As far as my overall impression of the plan, I found it to be a bit generic. Although there are links to specific initiatives and committees, I would like to see a list of specific goals for the district. Of course, I am from a small district, which makes easier to set specific district goals, and this may not be possible in larger districts. The goals listed in our district improvement plan are general for the district, but provide guidance to set specific goals for each campus. I believe the district plan must be one that guides your campus administrators in building their plan. AISD’s plan does this fairly well. My district improvement plan is almost too detailed and is a little overwhelming. As I said before, I’d like to find a balance between the two. Rather than a list of “what we are doing”, it should be a list of “where do we want to be in five years” and “how are we going to get there?”
Appendix B is an excellent tool. It is similar to the format of our district plan, and is more goal-oriented and specific. I believe this is the most beneficial piece of AISD’s plan. It lists SMART goals and includes the desired outcomes, measurable goals, activities and resources required to meet those goals and a timeline for evaluation. The activities listed are specific, yet concise. There is not a lot of education lingo, which makes them easy for parents and community members to understand.
Reviewing the AISD plan and comparing it to our district plan has been a very beneficial activity. I believe I have a better understanding of goal-driven budgeting and the different ways to report and plan in this area. It also prompted me to research the improvement plans of other districts and evaluate their effectiveness. My goal through my internship is to develop a more effective planning program in our district. Comparing plans has provided a step in the right direction.
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