strategic manual

AtlAntA Public SchoolS

Strategic Plan 2012-2017

“Strategic leadership … the Road to Excellence”

AtlAntA boARd of EducAtion

brenda J. MuhammadDistrict 1 byron d. AmosVice Chair, District 2 cecily harsch-KinnaneDistrict 3 nancy M. MeisterDistrict 4 lachandra d. butler burksDistrict 5 Yolanda K. JohnsonDistrict 6 courtney d. Englishat-large Seat 7Districts 1 & 2 Reuben R. Mcdaniel, iiiChair, at-large Seat 8Districts 3 & 4 Emmett d. Johnsonat-large Seat 9Districts 5 & 6

Erroll b. davis, Jr.Superintendent

AtlAntA Public SchoolS | “StrAtegic leAderShiP … the roAd to excellence” 3

Table of

Contents

8

5

76

4

12

9

17

Appendix

CoreBeliefsandCommitments

executiveSummary

MissionandVisionStatementsAboutUs

SchoolStructure

Guidingprinciples

LetterfromtheSuperintendent

StrategyMap

Strategy

BalancedScorecard

StrategicinitiativeAlignment

Superintendent’sCalltoAction

13-16

10-11

18

Page TiTle

Subtitle

text Dear Students, Parents, employees and Partners:

Atlanta Public Schools (APS) proudly serves approximately 50,000

students. on behalf of each student, we enter the 2012-13 school year and beyond with a renewed commitment to academic excellence, educational equity, ethics and engagement.

this is an important period for our organization. the decisions that we make and the plans that we implement will impact students, parents, employees and community members for years to come. it’s important that we do the correct things, and equally important, that we do them with a sense of urgency.

last year we experienced an escalated level of stakeholder involvement at numerous community and school board meetings and hearings. input from these forums and the input of our teachers and leaders were invaluable in developing our new direction for the future.

our five-year strategic plan will set the path for APS going forward, focusing on a consistent, aggressive and strategic structure of excellence for all schools and divisions within APS. Strategic objectives, paired with initiatives and action plans, will be measured for effectiveness and ultimately lead to improved student achievement. the framework outlined in this document is vital as we move forward with

excellence, equity, ethics and engagement.

We are privileged to serve the students, staff, parents, partners and community members who comprise the APS family. We look forward to your continued confidence and support during the new school year and beyond.

Sincerely,

erroll b. davis, Jr.Superintendent

leTTer from The

Superintendent

AtlAntA Public SchoolS | “StrAtegic leAderShiP … the roAd to excellence”4


the vision of Atlanta Public Schools is to be a student-centered, high-performing

urban school district, where all students become successful, life-long learners and leaders. the district has laid the foundation for this vision with the development of the 2012-2017 Strategic Plan for Atlanta Public Schools, “Strategic leadership…the road to excellence. the plan is the result of the collaborative effort between the Atlanta Public Schools board of education, Superintendent, administrators, faculty, staff, partners and the community. the thoughtful and honest input of stakeholders on the strategic direction makes the final plan a much stronger document that provides a roadmap to address the work necessary to achieve the mission and vision for APS. the plan recognizes the critical roles of all stakeholders to implement the plan with fidelity and to ensure that all achievements are sustainable. this five-year strategic plan provides a consistent, aggressive and strategic structure of excellence for all schools and

divisions within APS. the plan calls for the highest level of accountability, ethics, transparency and engagement and recognizes that students come first and all decisions to be made are in the best interest of the students, which is the basis for the three perspectives: (1) Students, Stakeholders and the learning environment; (2) leadership and talent development; and (3) Financial and operational Systems and Support. the perspectives provide guidance for APS leadership in the development of policies and regulations, objectives, strategies and initiatives to achieve the mission and vision. the three perspectives and 11 strategic objectives described in this plan will drive the thinking, actions, and investments over the next five years. these perspectives and strategic objectives are outlined in a strategy map illustrating how APS will unify and balance the components of the strategic plan. the strategy map is then translated into action using a balanced scorecard.

this scorecard describes the perspectives, strategic objectives, corresponding performance measures and the strategic initiatives pursued to achieve the strategic plan. these strategic initiatives range from implementing the common core georgia Performance Standards in order to ensure educational equity and rigor in the classroom to developing a district-wide coordinated effort to improve the culture, climate and safety in all APS schools and facilities. these initiatives are cross-functional in nature and ensure the strategic objectives, and ultimately the APS mission and vision, are achieved. Full achievement of all strategic objectives will be possible with the continued commitment and support of the board of education, Superintendent, administrators, faculty, staff, partners and the community. Working together, APS can achieve the vision of being a student-centered, high-performing urban school district, where all students become successful, life-long learners and leaders.

execuTive Summary

Frederick douglASS high School


Atlanta Public Schools (APS) is one of the largest districts in the state of georgia, serving approximately 50,000 students in 103 learning

facilities throughout the city of Atlanta. APS schools are organized into nine k-12 clusters which provide a quality education for our students. the cluster model provides greater access to a more equitable distribution of resources and multiple layers of support.

APS has adopted common core georgia Performance Standards (ccgPS), which outline high expectations for what students should know in the 21st century and make the district part of the nation-wide initiative to standardize instruction.

abouT

AtlantapublicSchools

faST facTS abouT aTlanTa Public SchoolS 2012-2013

Student enrollment approx. 50,000elementary schools 50Middle schools 15Single-gender academies 4high schools 21nontraditional programs 2charter schools 13evening school programs 2Total aPS learning sites 103

Ethnic Distribution of StudentsAfrican-American 78%caucasian 13%hispanic 6%Multiracial 2%Asian/American indian/Alaskan/other 1%Students eligible for free and reduced priced meals 74.76%number of 2012 graduates 2,093Scholarships offered to class of 2012 $87 millionnumber of title i Schools 95FY13 general Fund budget $574 million


Mission anD

VisionStatements

the vision of Atlanta Public Schools is to be a student-centered,

high-performing urban school district where all students become

successful life-long learners

and leaders.

the mission of Atlanta Public Schools is to

educate all students

through academic excellence, preparing them for success in life,

service and leadership.

miSSion STaTemenT

viSion STaTemenT


CoreBeliefsandCommitmentsWe believe ThaT all chilDren can learn.We are committed to developing students who are critical thinkers, and we are committed to creating safe school environments that best meet the social, emotional and cognitive needs of individual students.

We believe ThaT TeacherS maTTer.We are committed to creating and supporting effective teachers and leaders for APS students.

We believe ThaT communiTy iS criTical.We are committed to engaging our community with the goal of creating and sustaining strong relationships.

We believe all STuDenTS ShoulD be fully PrePareD anD inSPireD To graDuaTe from high School reaDy for college anD/or careerS.We are committed to fully preparing and inspiring all students to graduate ready for college and/or careers.

We believe ThaT STuDenTS ShoulD be lifelong learnerS.We are committed to developing students who will become lifelong learners that will make significant contributions to society.

2

5

3

1

4

the neW SchoolS At cArver

characTeriSTicS of ahigh Performing School DiSTricTn A clear and shared focusn high standards and expectations for all studentsn effective school teachers and leadersn high levels of collaboration and communicationn curriculum, instruction and assessments aligned with state standardsn Frequent monitoring of teaching and learningn Focused professional developmentn Supportive learning environmentsn high level of family and community engagement

Source: Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction


Guidingprinciples

ExcEllEncE…in everything we doimplementing the common core georgia Performance Standards will ensure a new standard of academic excellence in every school. the standards outline high expectations for what students need to know to be ready for 21st century colleges and careers anywhere in the world.

Equity…in the distribution of district resourcesthrough redistricting, APS created a new regional and cluster model to replace the school reform team structure. under the cluster model, resources are to be allocated to fully staff and provide more support, more opportunities and more equity to the schools.

EthicS…to protect our integrityAPS will continue stronger testing security measures and mandated annual ethics training for every employee. in addition, every school will have two ethics advocates who will act as resources for ethical decision-making. Advocates will also infuse ethical principles and character education throughout the curriculum, as well as through teacher and leader actions.

EngagEmEnt…with our communityAPS created the office of external Affairs which is devoted to community outreach, corporate and foundation relations, constituent services and open records requests. APS is working diligently district-wide to become more engaged and transparent with the community.


School

Structure

beginning in School Year 2012-2013, APS schools are organized into nine new K-12 clusters – each with a main feeder high

school. under the cluster model, students from the same neighborhoods will be able to stay together throughout elementary, middle and high school. the cluster model provides the groundwork for achieving the goal of every school providing a quality education for every student, regardless of where he or she lives in the district. each school in the cluster will have access to a more equitable distribution of

available resources and multiple layers of support. the cluster model also provides for a greater degree of collaboration and professional development among the elementary, middle and high schools within the individual clusters of schools.

the school clusters are organized into four regional units, each with an executive director for administration. clusters are identified by high schools as follows:

North regioNFrederick douglassnorth Atlantab.e.S.t. Academyc.S.K. Academy

South regioNcarverSouth AtlantaForrest hill Academy

eaSt regioNhenry W. gradyMaynard h. Jacksoncrim open campus

WeSt regioNbenjamin e. Maysd.M. therrellbooker t. WashingtonWest end Academy

Douglass Cluster

N. Atlanta Cluster

High Schools Middle Schools Elementary Schools

N. ATLANTA { {SUTTON

BOLTON ACADEMYBRANDONBRANDON PRIMARYGARDEN HILLSJACKSON

JACKSON PRIMARYRIVERSSMITHSMITH PRIMARY

DOUGLASS { {HARPER-ARCHER

BOYD *FAINF.L. STANTONGROVE PARK INTERMEDIATE (3-5)

SCOTTTOWNSUSHERWOODSON PRIMARY (K-2)

* Year-Round School


B.E.S.T. { B.E.S.T. ACADEMYB.E.S.T.

AcademyCity-wide

NO FEEDER SCHOOLS


C.S.K. { C.S.K. ACADEMYC.S.K.

AcademyCity-wide

NO FEEDER SCHOOLS

Carver Cluster


S. Atlanta Cluster

Forrest Hill Academy

CARVER

{{{PRICE

SYLVAN

SLATERTHOMASVILLE HEIGHTS

FINCHGIDEONSPERKERSON

S. ATLANTA

FORRESTHILL

LONG

CLEVELAND AVENUEDOBBSHERITAGE ACADEMY

HUMPHRIESHUTCHINSON *

PARKS

NO FEEDER SCHOOLS

* Year-Round School

NorthRegion

SouthRegion

Grady Cluster


M.H. Jackson Cluster

Crim Open Campus

GRADY

M.H. JACKSON

CRIM

{{

{COAN

M.L. KING

INMAN

BURGESS-PETERSONTOOMERWHITEFOORD

BENTEEND.H. STANTONDUNBARPARKSIDE

CENTENNIAL PLACE *HOPE-HILLMARY LIN

MORNINGSIDESPRINGDALE PARK

* Year-Round School

NO FEEDER SCHOOLS

Washington Cluster

West End Academy

Therrell Cluster

MAYS { {YOUNGADAMSVILLE PRIMARY (K-2)BEECHER HILLSCASCADE

MILES INTERMEDIATE (3-5)PEYTON FORESTWEST MANOR

THERRELL { {BUNCHECONTINENTAL COLONYDEERWOOD ACADEMY

FICKETTKIMBERLY

WASHINGTON

WEST ENDACADEMY

{{{ {

BROWN

KENNEDY

BETHUNECONNALLY

M. AGNES JONESVENETIAN HILLS

NO FEEDER SCHOOLS

NO FEEDER SCHOOLS

High Schools

Mays Cluster

Middle Schools Elementary Schools

EastRegion

WestRegion

Booker T. WashingTon high school

aTlanTa PuBlic schools | “sTraTegic leadershiP … The road To excellence” 11

Charter SChoolS & regionS:

n north region

The kindezi school (k-5)

kiPP atlanta collegiate (9-10)

latin academy (6)

n South region

kiPP Vision (5-7)

n east region

atlanta neighborhood charter school (k-8) (Elementary&MiddleSchoolCampuses)

drew charter school (Prek-8)

intown academy (k-8)

Wesley academy (k-8)

n West region

atlanta Preparatory academy (k-8)

kiPP strive (5-8) / kiPP strive Primary (k)

kiPP WaYs (5-8)


2012-2017

StrategyMap

the strategy map shown below is a visual tool illustrating how APS aligns its resources to achieve its mission to educate all students through academic excellence, preparing them for success in life, service and leadership. the map is organized into three perspectives (Students, Stakeholders and the learning

environment; leadership and talent development; and Financial and operational Systems and Support) that define causal relationships among the 11 strategic objectives, ultimately achieving the APS mission. the map helps visualize the strategy while unifying and balancing the components of the plan.

objectives


STraTegy — 2012-2017 the following pages communicate APS’ five-year strategy and translate the strategy map into action. each page highlights the perspective, strategic objectives, corresponding performance measures and the strategic initiatives pursued to achieve those strategic objectives. the components all work together to achieve the strategic destination:

Students,StakeholdersandtheLearningenvironment

nobjectives articulate the components of the strategy;nPerformance measures track progress toward achieving and communicating the intent of the objective; and

nStrategic initiatives help close the gap between current and desired performance.* * Source: 2008 Balanced Scorecard Collaborative, a Palladium company


Strategy — 2012-2017 Students, Stakeholders and the Learning Environment


STraTegy — 2012-2017 LeadershipandTalentdevelopment


STraTegy — 2012-2017 FinancialandOperationalSystemsandSupport


Strategicinitiative Alignment

SuPerinTenDenT’S

call To acTion

Success does not happen by accident. Schools and districts do not become high performing by chance. Achieving “excellence in

everything We Do,” requires commitment, dedication, discipline and focus on doing the right things and doing them well. the success of the strategic plan rests on everyone. When every person carries out his and her role with fidelity, Atlanta Public Schools will steadily make progress toward the ultimate goal of ensuring success for every student.

18 AtlAntA Public SchoolS | “StrAtegic leAderShiP … the roAd to excellence”

Core Beliefs and Commitments • Mission Vision Statements • Overarching Goal/Theme and Definition of Excellence • Characteristics of High Performing Schools • System Management Options • Portfolio of Schools • School Structures • Excellence Focus Areas and Strategies • Core Beliefs and Commitments • Mission Vision Statements • Overarching Goal/Theme and Definition of Excellence • Characteristics of High Performing Schools • System Management Options • Portfolio of Schools • School Structures • Excellence Focus Areas and Strategies • Core Beliefs and Commitments • Mission Vision Statements • Overarching Goal/Theme and Definition of Excellence • Characteristics of High Performing Schools • System Management Options • Portfolio of Schools • School Structures • Excellence Focus Areas and Strategies • Core Beliefs and Commitments • Mission Vision Statements • Overarching Goal/Theme and Definition of Excellence • Characteristics of High Performing Schools • System Management Options • Portfolio of Schools • School Structures • Excellence Focus Areas and Strategies • Core Beliefs and Commitments • Mission Vision Statements • Overarching Goal/Theme and Definition of Excellence • Characteristics of High Performing Schools • System Management Options • Portfolio of Schools • School Structures • Excellence Focus Areas and Strategies • Core Beliefs and Commitments • Mission Vision Statements • Overarching Goal/Theme and Definition of Excellence • Characteristics of High Performing Schools • System Management Options • Portfolio of Schools • School Structures • Excellence Focus Areas and Strategies • Core Beliefs and Commitments • Mission Vision Statements • Overarching Goal/Theme and Definition of Excellence • Characteristics of High Performing Schools • System Management Options • Portfolio of Schools • School Structures • Excellence Focus Areas and Strategies • Core Beliefs and Commitments • Mission Vision Statements • Overarching Goal/Theme and Definition of Excellence • Characteristics of High Performing Schools • System Management Options • Portfolio of Schools • School Structures • Excellence Focus Areas and Strategies • Core Beliefs and Commitments • Mission Vision Statements • Overarching Goal/Theme and Definition of Excellence • Characteristics of High Performing Schools • System Management Options • Portfolio of Schools • School Structures • Excellence Focus Areas and Strategies • Core Beliefs and Commitments • Mission Vision Statements • Overarching Goal/Theme and Definition of Excellence • Characteristics of High Performing Schools • System Management Options • Portfolio of Schools • School Structures • Excellence Focus Areas and Strategies • Core Beliefs and Commitments • Mission Vision Statements • Overarching Goal/Theme and Definition of Excellence • Characteristics of High Performing Schools • System Management Options • Portfolio of Schools • School Structures • Excellence Focus Areas and Strategies • Core Beliefs and Commitments • Mission Vision Statements • Overarching Goal/Theme and Definition of Excellence • Characteristics of High Performing Schools • System Management Options • Portfolio of Schools • School Structures • Excellence Focus Areas and Strategies • Core Beliefs and Commitments • Mission Vision Statements • Overarching Goal/Theme and Definition of Excellence • Characteristics of High Performing Schools • System Management Options • Portfolio of Schools • School Structures • Excellence Focus Areas and Strategies • Core Beliefs and Commitments • Mission Vision Statements • Overarching Goal/Theme and Definition of Excellence • Characteristics of High Performing Schools • System Management Options • Portfolio of Schools • School Structures • Excellence Focus Areas and Strategies • Core Beliefs and Commitments • Mission Vision Statements • Overarching Goal/Theme and Definition of Excellence • Characteristics of High Performing Schools • System Management Options • Portfolio of Schools • School Structures • Excellence Focus Areas and Strategies • Core Beliefs and Commitments • Mission Vision Statements • Overarching Goal/Theme and Definition of Excellence • Characteristics of High Performing Schools • System Management Options • Portfolio of Schools • School Structures • Excellence Focus Areas and Strategies • Core Beliefs and Commitments • Mission Vision Statements • Overarching Goal/Theme and Definition of Excellence • Characteristics of High Performing Schools • System Management Options • Portfolio of Schools • School Structures • Excellence Focus Areas and Strategies • Core Beliefs and Commitments • Mission Vision Statements • Overarching Goal/Theme and Definition of Excellence • Characteristics of High Performing Schools • System Management Options • Portfolio of Schools • School Structures • Excellence Focus Areas and Strategies • Core Beliefs and Commitments • Mission Vision Statements • Overarching Goal/Theme and Definition of Excellence • Characteristics of High Performing Schools • System Management Options • Portfolio of Schools • School Structures • Excellence Focus Areas and Strategies • Core Beliefs and Commitments • Mission Vision Statements • Overarching Goal/Theme and Definition of Excellence • Characteristics of High Performing Schools • System Management Options • Portfolio of Schools • School Structures • Excellence Focus Areas and Strategies • Core Beliefs and Commitments • Mission Vision Statements • Overarching Goal/Theme and Definition of Excellence • Characteristics of High Performing Schools • System Management Options • Portfolio of Schools • School Structures • Excellence Focus Areas and Strategies • Core Beliefs and Commitments • Mission Vision Statements • Overarching Goal/Theme and Definition of Excellence • Characteristics of High Performing Schools • System Management Options • Portfolio of Schools • School Structures • Excellence Focus Areas and Strategies • Core Beliefs and Commitments • Mission Vision Statements • Overarching Goal/Theme and Definition of Excellence • Characteristics of High Performing Schools • System Management Options • Portfolio of Schools • School Structures • Excellence Focus Areas and Strategies • Core Beliefs and Commitments • Mission Vision Statements • Overarching Goal/Theme and Definition of Excellence • Characteristics of High Performing Schools • System Management Options • Portfolio of Schools • School Structures • Excellence Focus Areas and Strategies • Core Beliefs and Commitments • Mission Vision Statements • Overarching Goal/Theme and Definition of Excellence • Characteristics of High Performing Schools • System Management Options • Portfolio of Schools • School Structures • Excellence Focus Areas and Strategies • Core Beliefs and Commitments • Mission Vision Statements • Overarching Goal/Theme and Definition of Excellence • Characteristics of High Performing Schools • System Management Options • Portfolio of Schools • School Structures • Excellence Focus Areas and Strategies • Core Beliefs and Commitments • Mission Vision Statements • Overarching Goal/Theme and Definition of Excellence • Characteristics of High Performing Schools • System Management Options • Portfolio of Schools • School Structures • Excellence Focus Areas and Strategies • Core Beliefs and Commitments • Mission Vision Statements • Overarching Goal/Theme and Definition of Excellence • Characteristics of High Performing Schools • System Management Options • Portfolio of Schools • School Structures • Excellence Focus Areas and Strategies • Core Beliefs and Commitments • Characteristics of High Performing Schools • System Management Options • Excellence Focus Areas Portfolio of Schools • School Structures • Excellence Focus Areas and Strategies • Core Beliefs and Commitments • Mission Vision Statements • Overarching Goal/Theme and Definition of Excellence • Characteristics of High Performing Schools • System Management Options • Portfolio of Schools • School Structures • Excellence Focus Areas and Strategies • Core Beliefs and Commitments • Mission Vision Statements • Overarching Goal/Theme and Definition of Excellence • Characteristics of High Performing Schools • System Management Options • Portfolio of Schools • School Structures • Excellence Focus Areas and Strategies • Core Beliefs and Commitments • Mission Vision Statements • Overarching Goal/Theme and Definition of Excellence • Characteristics of High Performing Schools • System Management Options • Portfolio of Schools • School Structures • Excellence Focus Areas and Strategies • Core Beliefs and Commitments • Mission Vision Statements • Overarching Goal/Theme a

Henry W. graDy HigH ScHool

officE of oRgAnizAtionAl AdvAncEMEnt130 tRinitY AvEnuE, SW, 8th flooRAtlAntA, gEoRgiA 30303

strategic manual

Documents

atlanta public schools

strategic direction

strategic objectives

strategic leadershipthe

fiveyear strategic plan

academic excellence

community members

new school year