DISCUSSION/ACTION
4.0
MONTGOMERY COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION
Rockville, Maryland
April 23, 2013
MEMORANDUM
To:
Members of the Board of Education
From:
Michael A. Durso, Chair, Strategic Planning Committee
Subject:
Approval of Strategic Plan Guiding Tenets (Core Values, Core Purpose, Vision,
and Mission)
Last spring, the superintendent informed the Board of Education of plans for revising the
Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) strategic plan, Our Call to Action: Pursuit of
Excellence. The Board and superintendent agreed that the Board’s central role in the process
would be to review and revise, as needed, the plan’s Guiding Tenets (Core Values, Mission,
Vision, System Goals, and Academic Priorities), and that the work should be done by the Board
as a whole.
At the March 4, 2013, Board of Education Retreat, the Strategic Planning Committee brought
forward for consideration by the full Board suggested changes to the Draft Core Values
Culture/Belief and Behavior statements that were adopted by the Board on October 22, 2012, as
well as draft Core Purpose, Vision, and Mission statements. The Board referred the draft
statements agreed to at the end of the retreat to the Strategic Planning Committee for additional
review.
The Strategic Planning Committee met on April 10, 2013, and reviewed the draft language from
the retreat. The Committee agreed with the draft Core Value Culture/Belief and Behavior
statements, as well as the draft Core Purpose and Mission statements. However, the Committee
recommends a slight modification to the draft Vision statement (attachment).
Additionally, the Committee reviewed the current Guiding Tenets and recommends that the
Guiding Tenets no longer include System Goals and Academic Priorities.
The following resolution is provided for consideration:
WHEREAS, The Board of Education and the Superintendent of Schools have been engaging in a
process to revise the system’s strategic plan, Our Call to Action: Pursuit of Excellence; and
WHEREAS, The Board of Education’s central role is to review and revise the Guiding Tenets
(Core Values, Vision, Mission, System Goals, and Academic Priorities); and
WHEREAS, The Board of Education developed a set of draft Core Values and accompanying
Culture/Belief and Behavior statements; and
Members of the Board of Education
2
April 23, 2013
WHEREAS, The Board of Education developed draft Core Purpose, Vision, and Mission
statements; and
WHEREAS, The Strategic Planning Committee has reviewed the draft Core Values, Core
Purpose, Vision, and Mission statements, as well as the existing System Goals and Academic
Priorities; now therefore be it
Resolved, That the Board of Education adopt the draft Core Values, Core Purpose, Vision, and
Mission statements; and be it further
Resolved, That the Board of Education eliminate from the Guiding Tenets the System Goals and
Academic Priorities.
MAD:ls
Attachment
MONTGOMERY COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION
Draft Strategic Plan Guiding Tenets
(As of April 10, 2013)
LEARNING
Culture/Belief (We believe that…)
We must engage reach every student, every day if they are to learn build connections.
Students must be engaged if they are to learn.
Learning is achieved by cultivating curiosity and encouraging determination, focus, and hard work.
Adult learning and engagement are key to student learning.
Behavior (Therefore, we will…)
Encourage and support critical thinking, problem solving, active questioning and risk taking to continuously improve.
Stimulate discovery by engaging students in relevant and rigorous academic, social, and emotional learning experiences.
Challenge ourselves to analyze and reflect upon evidence to improve our practices.
RELATIONSHIPS
Culture/Belief (We believe that…)
Meaningful collaboration is a vital ingredient of to our district’s success.
Strong partnerships are built on trust and open and honest communication.
Building relationships in with our diverse community requires us to understand the perspectives and experiences of others.
Behavior (Therefore, we will…)
Get to know student and staff members as individuals to better serve them.
Engage in interest-based decision making with our partners to achieve mutually agreed upon goals.
Build strong relationships between with students, family, staff, and community to support learning.
RESPECT
Culture/Belief (We believe that…)
Each individual’s contributions add value to our learning community.
Fair treatment, honesty, openness, and integrity are essential elements of respect.
The diversity of our culture, interests, skills and backgrounds is an asset that makes us stronger.
Behavior (Therefore, we will…)
Model civility in all interactions and encourage candid conversations.
Deal fairly and honestly with each other.
Listen to others’ perspectives with openness and accept that there are various points of view.
MONTGOMERY COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION
Draft Strategic Plan Guiding Tenets
(As of April 10, 2013)
EXCELLENCE
Culture/Belief (We believe that…)
Raising the bar and setting high standards is necessary to ensure that all students graduate ready for college and career ready.
We have to expect the best to get the best from everyone, every day.
Creating intellectual excitement and supporting personal growth inspires us all toward excellence.
Behavior (Therefore, we will…)
Push unceasingly for continuous improvement.
Hold our practice and our work to the highest possible standards.
Nurture a culture of creativity and inquiry that supports innovation and progress.
EQUITY
Culture/Belief (We believe that…)
Each and every student matters.
Outcomes should not be predictable by race, or ethnicity, or socioeconomic status./ Equity demands a recognition that race matters.
Equity demands the elimination of all gaps.
Creating and maximizing future opportunities for students and staff is necessary. for equity.
Behavior (Therefore we will…)
Hold high expectations for all students and staff.
Distribute resources as necessary to provide extra supports and interventions so all students can achieve.
Identify and eliminate any institutional barriers to students’ success.
Ensure that equitable practices are used in all classrooms and workplaces.
PURPOSE, MISSION, VISION
PURPOSE
Prepare all students to thrive in their future
VISION
We inspire learning by provide providing the greatest public education to each and every student.
MISSION
Every student will have the academic, creative problem solving and social emotional skills to be successful in college and careers.
Strategic
Plan
Renovation
April 23, 2013
GUIDING
TENETS
Spring 2012
Strategic Plan revision begins
Board to focus on guiding tenets
(values, mission, vision, goals, priorities)
Presentation by Kevin Ruth, UnitedHealthcare
Summer 2012
The Board…
Meets numerous times
Reaches consensus on draft core values
Develops culture/belief and behavior
statements
Fall 2012
The Board…
Meets with employee associations,
MCCPTA, and hosts community forum
Adopts draft core values and
culture/belief behavior statements
Draft Core Values
LEARNING
RELATIONSHIPS
RESPECT
EXCELLENCE
EQUITY
Winter 2013
Superintendent launches framework development
Guiding Tenets
Mission
Vision
Core Values
Goals
What students, adults, and community members need to know do to support student learning
Student Competencies and School Performance Standards
Academic, 21st Century Learning, Social/Emotional Learning
Strategic Objectives/Indicators
Strategies
Interventions, Community Engagement,
Professional Development/Capacity Building
Business Operations, Curriculum,
School Support and Improvement Framework
School/Office Improvement Plans
Detailed work plans to map out strategy
Objectives/ Indicators
Roles and Responsibilities
BOE Strategic Plan
Committee
•Ensure alignment
with guiding
tenets
Cabinet
•Create Strategic
Plan Framework
•Oversee process
and effective
communication
•Review and revise
framework during
development
process
Internal Strategic
Plan Work Group
Network Team
•Facilitate the
work of the
Network Team
•Provide input to
the MCPS
Strategic Plan
•Serve as liaisons
between deputies
and Network
Team
•Ensure
engagement of all
throughout the
process
Spring 2013
At March 4 retreat…
Draft core values feedback reviewed
Consensus reached on Core Purpose,
Mission and Vision
Guiding tenets referred to Strategic
Planning Committee for final review
Next Steps
April 23 - BOE action on draft guiding
tenets
Network Teams continue identifying
possible measures
Next Steps
April/May – Feedback gathered on
framework from stakeholders
May 22 – Strategic Planning Committee
updated on framework
June 24 – Board action
LEARNING
Culture/Belief (We believe that…)
 We must engage reach every student, every day if they are to learn build
connections.
 Students must be engaged if they are to learn.
 Learning is achieved by cultivating curiosity and encouraging determination,
focus, and hard work.
 Adult learning and engagement are is key to student learning.
Behavior (Therefore, we will…)
 Encourage and support critical thinking, problem solving, active questioning
and risk taking to continuously improve.
 Stimulate discovery by engaging students in relevant and rigorous academic,
social, and emotional learning experiences.
 Challenge ourselves to analyze and reflect upon evidence to improve our
practices.
RELATIONSHIPS
Culture/Belief (We believe that…)
 Meaningful collaboration is a vital ingredient of to our district’s success.
 Strong partnerships are built on trust and open and honest communication.
 Building relationships in with our diverse community requires us to
understand the perspectives and experiences of others.
Behavior (Therefore, we will…)
 Get to know student and staff members as individuals to better serve them.
 Engage in interest-based decision making with our partners to achieve
mutually agreed upon goals.
 Build strong relationships between with students, family, staff, and
community to support learning.
RESPECT
Culture/Belief (We believe that…)
 Each individual’s contributions add value to our learning community.
 Fair treatment, honesty, openness, and integrity are essential elements of
respect.
 The diversity of our culture, interests, skills, and backgrounds is an asset
that makes us stronger.
Behavior (Therefore, we will…)
 Model civility in all interactions and encourage candid conversations.
 Deal fairly and honestly with each other.
 Listen to others’ perspectives with openness and accept that there are
various points of view.
EXCELLENCE
Culture/Belief (We believe that…)
 Raising the bar and setting high standards is necessary to ensure that all
students graduate ready for college and career.
 We have to expect the best to get the best from everyone, every day.
 Creating intellectual excitement and supporting personal growth inspires us all
toward excellence.
Behavior (Therefore, we will…)
 Push unceasingly for continuous improvement.
 Hold our practice and our work to the highest possible standards.
 Nurture a culture of creativity and inquiry that supports innovation and
progress.
EQUITY
Culture/Belief (We believe that…)
 Each and every student matters.
 Outcomes should not be predictable by race, ethnicity or socioeconomic
status /Equity demands a recognition that race matters.
 Equity demands the elimination of all gaps.
 Creating and maximizing future opportunities for students and staff is
necessary for equity.
Behavior (Therefore we will…)
 Hold high expectations for all students and staff.
 Distribute resources as necessary to provide extra supports and
interventions so all students can achieve.
 Identify and eliminate any institutional barriers to students’ success.
 Ensure that equitable practices are used in all classrooms and workplaces.
Core Purpose, Vision, Mission
Core Purpose
 Prepare all students to thrive in their future.
Vision
 We inspire learning by provide providing the greatest
public education to each and every student.
Mission
 Every student will have the academic, creative problem
solving and social emotional skills to be successful in
college and careers.