2003 - 2008

GOAL 1: HIGH EXPECTATIONS FOR STUDENTS
To set and meet high expectations for achievement for all students in order to prepare for adult life, continued education, and responsible citizenship

GOAL 2: ENVIRONMENT FOR LEARNING
To create an optimal learning environment for all students to feel secure and accepted, acquire knowledge, develop skills, and refine attitudes to their maximum potential

GOAL 3: HIGH PERFORMANCE STANDARDS FOR ADMINISTRATORS, TEACHERS, COACHES, AND OTHER STAFF
To attain high standards of performance and demonstrations of professional conduct by administrators, teachers, coaches, and other certified and non-certified staff

GOAL 4: EFFECTIVE AND EFFICIENT RESOURCE ALLOCATION
To provide accessibility to resources that will positively affect student learning and achievement with maximum efficiency and value for the community

GOAL 5: DIRECT INVOLVEMENT OF CITIZENS
To improve public education by connecting the entire Wolcott community through enhanced communications

Objectives for Goals

GOAL 1: HIGH EXPECTATIONS FOR STUDENTS
To set and meet high expectations for achievement for all students in order to prepare for adult life, continued education, and responsible citizenship

Objective 1.1 Start school ready to learn as evidenced by their performance on an entry-level assessment
Suggested Strategies:

• increase communication with preschool and daycare facilities
• provide parents with strategies to promote literacy and numeracy

Objective 1.2 Demonstrate mastery in reading by entrance to Grade 4 as evidenced by the Grade 3 Connecticut Mastery Test (CMT)
Suggested Strategies:

• progressive early literacy programs
• guided reading
• small-group instruction
• reading mentor programs
• a student/teacher ratio that ensures reading success in all school environments

Objective 1.3 Possess a core of basic skills and competencies that provide for a broader acquisition of knowledge as evidenced by the CMT, CAPT, PSAT, and SAT scores and increased graduation rates
Suggested Strategies:

• continued participation in summer standardized testing programs
• continued participation in summer reading programs
• developing instructional strategies that promote increased achievement on standardized testing
• model and implement test-taking strategies
• foster parent, student, and community awareness about the importance of standardized testing
• school-wide participation in cross-curricular/interdisciplinary activities

Objective 1.4 Complete a rigorous curriculum in all areas of study as evidenced by increased percentage of students taking courses eligible for college credit, increase the percentage of high school graduates completing 3 or more years of foreign language, science, math and social studies, increase the percentage of students meeting all four Connecticut State Fitness Standards, and increase participation in extracurricular and community service activities
Suggested Strategies:

• a technology rich environment at all learning levels

Objective 1.5 Assume responsibility for their learning and behavior in their communities as evidenced by increased on-time graduation rate, participation in service learning activities, and demonstration of good character
Suggested Strategies:

• character education initiatives and activities
• community service initiatives

Objective 1.6 Develop skills and knowledge to make better decisions for post secondary education as evidenced by the percentage of high school graduates continuing their education at 2-year colleges/technical schools, 4-year colleges and universities, apprenticeship programs and military service
Suggested Strategies:

• complete a career portfolio by all Grade 12 students
• junior interviews
• job shadowing opportunities
• internships

Objective 2.1 Provide an orderly, non-disruptive, environment that is free from substance abuse, where all students can learn
Suggested Strategies:

• enforce an environment free from substance abuse
• enforce a universally age-appropriate discipline policy
• enforce the dress code policy throughout the district
• continue the character development activities
• develop appropriate interventions for those students whose disruptive behavior affects the learning of others

Objective 2.2 Provide for all students a unified system of regular education, compensatory education, and other programs
Suggested Strategies:

• provide additional resources for non-classified, low-achieving students
• expand summer school opportunities to meet the needs and/or interests of all students

Objective 2.3 Provide for all students' learning experiences that recognize and value diversity as a part of a high quality education
Suggested Strategies:

• provide the opportunity to participate in magnet schools, sister schools community service, H.O.T. school, cultural enrichment programs
• utilize technology programs which promote understanding of diversity
• offer opportunities which address the learning needs of the entire student population, (e.g. special needs, gifted, alternative)
  

GOAL 3: HIGH PERFORMANCE STANDARDS FOR ADMINISTRATORS, TEACHERS, COACHES, AND OTHER STAFF
To attain high standards of performance and demonstrations of professional conduct by administrators, teachers, coaches, and other certified and non-certified staff

Objective 3.1 Administrators, teachers, certified and non-certified staff will continuously improve standards of performance and professional conduct
Suggested Strategies:

• increase the percentage of teachers and administrators who have trained as B.E.S.T. mentors and assessors
• increase the percentage of teachers who participate in the National Certification Program
• increase the percentage of teachers who have participated in action research
• increase the amount of professional development opportunities related to curriculum, instruction, and technology
• meet or exceed professional standards linking the Common Core of Teaching and Learning and job descriptions
• meet or exceed professional standards focusing on leadership roles in instruction, supervision, professional development, and school improvement
• continue use of a systematic assessment of evaluations linked to district goals

Objective 3.2 Coaches will continuously improve standards of performance and professional conduct
Suggested Strategies:

• participate in coaching certification program
• participate in coaching modules
• attend clinics and seminars

GOAL 4: EFFECTIVE AND EFFICIENT RESOURCE ALLOCATION
To provide accessibility to resources that will positively affect student learning and achievement with maximum efficiency and value for the community

Objective 4.1 Actively seek increased funding for resources that will directly impact student learning and achievement
Suggested Strategies:

• participate in regional collaborative and educational support agencies that promote shared costs and significant savings for the district
• actively investigate funds available through regional, state, federal, or private grant programs
• continue to update textbooks and instructional materials
• continue to upgrade and maintain existing buildings, grounds, and facilities

Objective 4.2 Optimize time for teaching and learning
Suggested Strategies:

• continue to provide common planning time as appropriate
• reduce class size
• increase personnel in areas where appropriate
• explore ways to enrich student learning outside of the school day
• explore Saturday workshops for students
• explore homework assistance programs
• investigate creative staffing patterns
• continue to develop summer remediation programs
• continue to improve summer reading programs
• expand peer mentoring activities

Objective 4.3 Have full access to available technological resources
Suggested Strategies:

• conduct an annual review to ensure implementation of current technology plan
• update computers, network, infrastructure, and wiring in schools according to the district's technology plan
• maintain computer labs in all schools
• provide access to computers based on program needs at all school levels
• increase school communication through technology
• provide developmentally appropriate software for all grade levels

Objective 4.4 Support student learning through a productive partnership with business and community members
Suggested Strategies:

• increase mentoring program opportunities
• link businesses with individual schools
• continue and expand school-to-career initiatives
• develop programs that increase interaction between school and community organizations and businesses
• increase the district's relationship with institutions of higher learning

Objective 4.5 Provide a network of family support services through collaboration with state and community agencies
Suggested Strategies:

• provide satellite social services in our schools
• communicate the availability of social services that are available to Wolcott residents
  

GOAL 5: DIRECT INVOLVEMENT OF CITIZENS
To improve public education by connecting the entire Wolcott community through enhanced communications

Objective 5.1 Increase the direct involvement of the community in improving public education
Suggested Strategies:

• establish an ongoing process for assessment to identify areas of success and opportunities for improvement
• monitor methods of communication between home and school
• community members serve as partners in learning process
• involve community members in school-to-career programs
• provide informal activities at which parents, staff, and community members can interact
• be directly involved with the budget process
• model the character traits of caring, respect, responsibility, trustworthiness, fairness, and citizenship
• establish district action teams comprised of students, teachers, parents, business leaders, social service agencies, and community members

Objective 5.2 Develop a public understanding of meeting national, state, and district goals
Suggested Strategies:

• present and interpret No Child Left Behind Act
• present and interpret state standardized test results
• present and interpret Strategic School Profile
• communicate progress in meeting academic, social and school goals between home and school via report cards, progress reports, district website, news publications, telephone calls, written messages, and parent conferences
• meet the standards of federal and state guidelines, regulations, and compliances