Theory: IF WE create clear pathways by utilizing open communication channels between students, families, and staff, in turn building strong connections, THEN we will ensure no dead ends in each student’s learning. 

Strategy: Families will have access to proactive support systems within the district as well as at the site level.

Action Steps:

• Parents will know ALL available options for their student’s learning.

• Staff will be aware of available programs to best guide the unique needs of each student.

• Teachers will design instruction that is proactive in supporting students to be successful with inclusive first instruction, which lessens the need for reactive interventions.

• Parents have access to the learning management systems used for instruction and assessment in the classroom.

• The district will be transparent in information, such as gradebooks, syllabi, pathways, placement, program designations, and so forth, to empower parents.

Obstacles: 

• Parents will not have access to resources. 

• All staff will need to be trained on available programs to support families. 

• Teachers will need to be trained on instruction that is not dependent on intervention but rather is proactive in meeting student needs with first instruction.

• A requirement of an open learning management system will need to be implemented so parents can access information in a timely manner allowing them to be proactive.

Strategy: Staff will actively build relationships with the students and families. 

Action Steps:

• Staff will participate in activities involving their students and site staff.

• Each site will hold workshops to strengthen relationships within the community.

• Staff will be honest and transparent to maintain trust. 

• Staff will learn about community culture, values, and norms from community members so they are able to be more responsive and understanding to community concerns/questions.

Obstacles:

• Staff may not be invested in wanting to build relationships with students and families.

• The superintendent will need to determine which department will support the workshops and provide appropriate support to that department? 

• Community members will need support/guidance in helping staff to better understand their community.

Theory:  IF WE eliminate tracking, THEN we will ensure the system does not function as a gatekeeper for student outcomes.

Strategy: Data that determine student assets will be cultivated, and then practitioners will leverage student assets to support their individual growth over time. 

Action Steps:

• Teachers will need training in inclusive instructional models that meet the needs of diverse student populations (differentiation).

• The district will need to purchase curriculum that lends itself to inclusive models of instruction that meet the needs of diverse learners (differentiation).

• Counselors will need training/support in providing an open access approach to courses.

• The community will need support with understanding an open access model for all courses and the implications that may have for their child’s pathway.

Obstacles:

• There is a lack of resources/curriculum that facilitate this educational approach.

• There is a lot of institutional memory and systems dedicated to tracking that will need to be identified and deconstructed.