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Pathway for the 21st
Century
Creating Tomorrow
Together
MISSION
The mission of the Bellingham School District, in partnership
with the community, is to provide students with the knowledge, skills,
and qualities required to be successful in a changing, diverse world.
VISION
Education in Bellingham is a shared, life-long experience in
which the diverse needs of all individuals are met. This experience, provided
in a safe, supportive environment, will ensure success in a changing world.
BELIEFS
We believe...
- in a learning environment that fosters respect
and security and provides meaningful learning experiences for all individuals.
- clearly defined performance expectations promote
success.
- school staff should be leaders and innovators
in education and be positive role models.
- quality teaching along with interesting, relevant,
and challenging activities will produce optimal learning.
- school programs must be flexible.
- service/programs should be designed to benefit
learners.
- all students can learn and reach their potential.
- schools and the community should work together
to prepare students to positively contribute to a democratic society
and world community.
- learning is a continuum that occurs inside
and outside of school and takes many forms.
- each individual should be prepared to respectfully
contribute to an increasingly complex, changing, multi-cultural society
and workplace.
ESSENTIAL STUDENT LEARNINGS
Bellingham School District Graduates Will Be:
Knowledgeable Individuals
who read with comprehension; write with skill; communicate
effectively and responsibly; and demonstrate academic proficiency in the
arts, geography, mathematics, civics and history, health and fitness,
social sciences, and physical and life sciences
Quality Producers
who successfully apply academic, intellectual, artistic, and
practical learning to create quality products and performances
Effective Communicators
who apply their communication skills and processes effectively
in a variety of ways and settings
Competent Thinkers
who are able to think analytically and creatively, solve problems
and make decisions
Effective Collaborators
who can work successfully with diverse individuals and groups
Responsible Citizens
who are informed and apply knowledge to improve the quality
of their lives and communities
Life-Long Learners
who are self-directed and apply learning confidently and successfully
to new and different situations and tasks in preparation for a changing
world and workplace
INTRODUCTION
The Bellingham School District is committed to change that
will improve student learning. In 1993 a team of staff members and community
members developed Pathway 2000--a strategic plan for giving focus
and direction to that change. From 1993 to 1998 the District, in collaboration
with the community, worked to accomplish the goals of Pathway 2000. Resources
were allocated to support the implementation of the plan. At the school
level, improvement plans were developed and implemented through site-based
decision making.
In 1998 the District continued the change for school improvement
by developing Pathway for the 21st Century--phase two of the strategic
plan for the years 1998 through 2003. Pathway for the 21st Century
is the result of work done by a 48-member planning team of staff, students,
and community members. The team agrees that there are givens--requirements
that must be met if Pathway for the 21st Century is to succeed.
These requirements are:
- Allocation of resources for implementation
- Open and honest two-way communication
- Collaboration within the District and between
the District and the community
- Support of people through the change process
Pathway for the 21st Century, developed in partnership with
the community, states the Visionary Goals and the Target Objectives of
the Bellingham School District. Implementation ensures students achieve
the ESSENTIAL STUDENT LEARNINGS necessary for success in the 21st Century.
VISIONARY GOALS
WHAT WE ARE WORKING TO ACCOMPLISH
GOAL ONE
The Essential Student LEARNINGS are taught and demonstrated
using defined standards.
Target Objectives
- Provide multiple ways for students to demonstrate
competency and mastery in each ESSENTIAL STUDENT LEARNING
- Communicate current and future relevance of
curriculum to students and teachers
- Review existing programs to ensure they support
achieving the ESSENTIAL STUDENT LEARNINGS
- Provide staff development that fosters deep
understandings of instructional strategies, district curriculum, and
performance assessment to support successful student learning
- Develop and use standards for measuring performance
toward achieving the ESSENTIAL STUDENT LEARNINGS in all curriculum areas
at all grade levels
GOAL TWO
Programs and instruction meet the individual needs of all
students.
Target Objectives
- Develop and enhance programs in support of
students preschool through grade 12, including alternative programs,
extended day and year programs, and support programs for all learners
- Maximize District and community resources to
support meeting the needs of all learners
- Promote teamwork among students, staff, parents,
and community members to improve learning
- Re-think uses of time and staff and implement
changes which maximize student learning
- Integrate technology into teaching and learning
in all curriculum areas
GOAL THREE
Ongoing assessment of student learning, program results,
and staff performance is understood and used to support continuous improvement.
Target Objectives
- Establish, measure, and report district-wide
performance standards for students
- Identify indicators of success for schools
and programs
- Establish a process for measuring the progress
of schools and programs in meeting indicators of success
- Develop and implement a process for involving
parents and students in understanding assessment and developing individual
student improvement plans
- Develop and implement a collaborative and comprehensive
staff evaluation process that is tied to student learning and support
HOW WE WILL ACCOMPLISH THIS WORK
GOAL FOUR
Schools, programs and services use improvement plans that
are developed collaboratively and are consistent with the District's strategic
plan.
Target Objectives
- Communicate the goals and intent of the strategic
plan to schools and site councils
- Support site councils by providing training
about roles and responsibilities of members, as well as data acquisition
and analysis for school improvement
- Provide opportunities for schools, services,
departments, and employee groups to develop collaborative approaches
to problem-solving
- Facilitate communication between elementary,
middle, and high schools to improve curriculum alignment and support
student transition between levels
GOAL FIVE
The learning and work environment is safe, supportive, and
nurturing for all.
Target Objectives
- Develop and implement a plan to address physical
safety for staff and students at each site
- Promote personal responsibility and emotional
safety
- Review and monitor school facility needs for
adequacy and safety
- Promote safety through cooperation with community-based
programs which educate parents, staff, students, and community
GOAL SIX
Understanding and respect for human diversity are taught
and practiced.
Target Objectives
- Review and enhance practices, programs, and
curriculum to address human diversity needs of the school community
- Provide meaningful ongoing instruction, activities,
and practices which increase awareness, enhance knowledge, and encourage
understanding of human diversity
- Develop a climate which encourages and supports
reporting, receiving, and resolving complaints related to diversity
issues
Goal Seven
Schools, families, and the community interact as partners
to strengthen opportunities to learn.
Target Objectives
- Continue and expand outreach programs that
support student learning
- Expand opportunities for interactive, two-way
communication with all partners in education
- Develop opportunities for family and community
involvement to assist with improving learning in the schools
- Develop community partnerships which provide
students with opportunities to link learning outside of the schools
CONCLUSION
Teachers, students, parents, and staff, in partnership with
the community, achieve these goals by working together and committing
the resources necessary to implement the strategic plan. Progress towards
these goals is assessed, monitored, and regularly reported to the entire
community.
Planning Team
Anne Bowen
Darcy Bradley
Sherrie Brown
Randy Carroll
Dan Cheney
Greg Cowan
Jim Cunningham
Susan Amelio
Jim Darling
Chuck DeVange
Ernie Diaz
Dave Ennen
Lurinda Ford
Lavelle Freudenberg
Jenna Green
Robin Halliday
David Hamiter
Ira Hyman
Fran Jepperson
Vernon Johnson
Bob Jones
Don Keenan
Esther Kim
Dale Kinsley
Yossi Liebowitz
Nancy Messmer
Deborah Monroe
Su Mookherjee
Camille Moreau
Steve Morse
Mary Nichols
Trish Onion
Mary Pettus
Roxann Rose-Duckworth
Karll Rusch
Mark Schlichting
Jackie Schoonover
Sue Sharpe
Mary Stender
Nick Stephens
Ken Strand
Susan Trimingham
Matthew Twining
Linda Underhill
Ann Whitmyer
Holly Whittle
Katrina Wilson
Susan Zoller
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