Vision, Mission, Values
Strategic Planning
S
Who are we?
VISION
MISSION
VALUES
Together, these constitute the school’s or system’s unique
identity—its organizational DNA.
Who are we?
CRYSTALLIZING THE SCHOOL’S OR SYSTEM’S IDENTITY
●
Vision
●
Mission
Values
Linking vision, mission, and values creates a
powerful synergy.
Each is important, yet they are codependent.
• Without a vision, there is no inspiration.
• However, a vision without a mission is
an impractical notion.
• And a mission without values could lead
to an "ends justifies the means"
philosophy.
VISION
A COMPELLING CONCEPTUAL IMAGE OF THE DESIRED
FUTURE
A vision statement should be:
• Brief and memorable.
• Inspiring and challenging.
• Descriptive of the ideal.
• Descriptive of future service levels.
• Extraordinary but authentic.
• Appealing to everyone in the school or system and to all
stakeholders.
VISION STATEMENT EXAMPLES
Every Battlefield High School student will achieve personal success and become a
responsible and productive citizen.
Our vision, as a community, is to inspire a passion for learning. —John T. Baker
Middle School, Montgomery County Public Schools, Maryland
All Potomac Senior High School students will achieve personal success in their
learning and become responsible and productive citizens.
Our vision for the future is to be the customer's first and best choice in the products
and services we provide. —Samsung Electronics, America
There is a "Marriott Way." It's about serving the associates, the customer, and the
community. Marriott's fundamental beliefs are enduring and the keys to its continued
success.
Vision Statement Checklist
MISSION
A BROAD, COMPREHENSIVE STATEMENT OF PURPOSE
The mission identifies what a school or system does and for whom it does
it.
The mission is all encompassing and rarely changes. It is the ultimate
rationale for the existence of the school/system.
A well-written mission statement:
• Identifies purpose but not process.
• Identifies school or system customers.
• Identifies services provided by the school or system.
• Is clear and succinct.
MISSION STATEMENT
EXAMPLES
The Alliance for Youth, led by General Colin Powell, is dedicated to
mobilizing individuals, groups and organizations from every part of American
life to build and strengthen the character and competence of our youth.
- America’s Promise
California Literacy, Inc. is a non-profit, volunteer assisted, educational
organization which provides statewide leadership to new and existing literacy
programs and their students by offering diverse training, resources,
consultation, and advocacy to help people gain the literacy skills they need to
participate more effectively in society. - California Literacy Incorporated
The mission of the Education Commission of the States is to help state leaders
develop and carry out policies that promote improved performance of the
education system. - Education Commission of the States
WRITING A MISSION
STATEMENT
• Write a mission statement with the assumption that readers
have no knowledge of the organization, what it does,
whom it serves, why it is needed, or how it works.
• Avoid using technical terminology, abbreviations, and
acronyms.
• To develop a brief, clear mission statement, imagine giving
a one-minute explanation of the school/system to a
legislative committee, the general public, or a community
group. Think about how to best describe the
school/system in terms they can understand.
Mission Statement Checklist
What is the Difference Between
Mission and Vision?
S What's the Difference Between Vision and Mission?
S What's the Difference Between Vision and Mission and
Why Does It Matter?
VALUES
VALUES DESCRIBE HOW THE SCHOOL OR SYSTEM
CONDUCTS ITSELF IN CARRYING OUT ITS MISSION
Values put a foundation of principles or beliefs behind the vision and
mission.
Values statements often express the school/system attitude about three
things:
PEOPLE: The way in which people inside and outside the school/system are
treated.
PROCESS: The way in which the school/system is managed, decisions are
made, and programs are produced.
PERFORMANCE: Expectations concerning the quality of its programs and
services.
Vision, Mission, Values Examples
S Long Beach Unified School district
S Deer Valley Unified School district
S Montgomery County, MD Public schools
S Ravenscroft School
S Henderson County Public Schools