Story Transcript
Our Journey to Excellence GORDON COUNTY SCHOOLS
STRATEGIC PLAN 2020–2025
Smart.
Forging a new path 2020–2025 Strategic Plan Development Timeline
June 2020 Reaching the Summit The Gordon County Schools 2020–2025 Strategic Plan was approved by the Gordon County Schools Board of Education.
March–May 2020 Mapping a Strategy Information from the Education Summit was used to develop a set of targeted focus areas, strategies and action steps to inform the system’s new strategic plan.
February 2020 Surveying the Terrain GCS held an Education Summit where stakeholders reviewed data collected from discussion groups to identify possible strengths and opportunities for the system.
January 2020 Developing a Guide The Crafting a 2025 Vision process was held again using identical questions from November but with students as participants in the discussion group.
November 2019 Stating our Mission A stakeholder discussion group was held to answer key questions as part of the Crafting a 2025 Vision process.
The strategic plan development process included a diverse set of participants such as parents, community members, students, teachers, school and system administrators, board of education members, and leaders from business, higher education, civic and faith based groups.
June 2019 Charting a Course School system leadership under the direction of the Carl Vinson Institute of Government developed a strategic planning methodology to chart the strategic direction of the school system from 2020–2025. • What difference should GCS make in Gordon County? • Where would you like GCS to be in five years?
Crafting a 2025 Vision As part of the Strategic Plan visioning process, attendees were organized into discussion groups to answer questions that would better inform them of the issues critical to Gordon County Schools (GCS).
• What initiatives or programs need to be considered or adjusted? • What are some “game changer” ideas that will bring excellence? • What can GCS do to ensure meaningful engagement of communities within the system? • What can GCS do to ensure meaningful engagement with other city/county governments that will help support students?
Steady.
Making gains as we go Every step we take brings us closer to achieving excellence. As we go forward, we take the time to marvel at the steady gains we have made as a school system and to celebrate the many accomplishments of our school community.
1:1 TECHNOLOGY for teachers and students
93.4%
Georgia School Boards Association’s Exemplary Board of Education
graduation rate for
ALL STUDENTS
Student Enrollment
$19.5M
ESPLOST REVENUES
used for school renovations in 2017–2020
(PreK–12th grade)
697 Students identified as gifted 11%
6,333
570 Students identified as special education 9% 380 English language learners 6% 3,844 Students qualifying for free or reduced meals in all grade levels 60.7% 760 Students enrolled in work-based learning 12% 1,881 Students completing a pathway 98.8% 850 Number of dual enrollment courses completed
Gordon County Schools
4 star average rating
SCHOOL CLIMATE
1st
APPLE DISTINGUISHED
$1.8M
EARLY LEARNING AND LITERACY GRANT
27 SCHOLARS named since 2016
public school in Georgia
Strong.
Leading with a purpose The vision and mission of our Plan will guide everything we do. They give purpose to our shared goals and collective commitments and strengthen our ability to successfully lead our students as they advance their education.
Our Vision
Our Mission
Gordon County Schools is a unified school system with strong community partnerships committed to the growth of all students, individual empowerment, and the transformation of public education resulting in graduates ready for college, career, and life.
Our mission is to build a collaborative culture that engages all students and staff in learning experiences leading to growth, empowerment, and transformation.
Our Collective Commitments Quality Education
We are committed to providing a quality education to all students as individuals, recognizing students learn in multiple ways and define success differently.
Gordon County Schools
Safe, Nurturing Environment
SHARED GOALS
We are committed to providing a safe, nurturing, and well-maintained learning environment.
MISSION
VISION
Ongoing Communication
Continuous Collaboration
Effective Staff
Safe, Nurturing Environment
Quality Education
Effective Staff
We are committed to hiring, developing, and supporting high quality, effective staff.
Continuous Collaboration
We are committed to increased student achievement through continuous collaboration of faculty, staff, students, parents, and our community and by leveraging the expertise and talents of our staff.
Ongoing Communication
We are committed to effective, ongoing internal and external communication to build positive relationships with all stakeholders and address individual student progress.
Strategic.
Mapping our progress Our Plan’s strategy map for monitoring academic progress serves as a tangible guide to reaching our ultimate destination—academic excellence. The strategies and action items in our map ensure that our system remains on track.
2020–2025 Strategic Plan Strategy Map
Strategy
Action Items
Learning and Growth for All
increase success by addressing specific achievement gaps
increase teacher and leader effectiveness
implement systematic student advisement
Quality Classroom Instruction and Experiences
strengthen and align resources for teaching and learning
expand integration of technology
implement the PLC process system wide
Family and Community Engagement
improve outgoing communications
expand opportunities for students, parents, and community partners
strengthen intergovernmental collaboration
Operational Excellence and Efficiency
operate a continual cycle of improvement for buildings and grounds
maintain safe, clean learning environments that meet state/ system standards
increase efficiency and effectiveness of transportation services
Fiscal Stability and Integrity
sustain excellent financial stewardship
maintain adequate fund balance
uphold best practices for financial operations
Stable.
Reaching our destination Gordon County is a community rich in tradition and rooted in family values. As we expand our academic campus and grow our system, the Gordon County Schools 2020–2025 Strategic Plan will serve as a landmark guide for current and future members of the community and is accessible to all. Please join us as we continue our journey to excellence!
2020 Gordon County Schools Map
This report was developed and designed by the
Since 1927, the Carl Vinson Institute of Government has been an integral part of the University of Georgia. A public service and outreach unit of the university, the Institute of Government is the largest and most comprehensive university-based organization serving governments in the United States through research services, customized assistance, training and development, and the application of technology. Photos by Gordon County Schools • Gordon County map courtesy of Angela Wheeler, CVIOG All brochure icons used with permission by The Noun Project @ www.thenounproject.com