In our research of the data we recognized strengths. Vancouver has a fantastic student and family community, a strong staff that is committed to service, tremendous community support and great infrastructure. The foundation of all you want in a school district is in Vancouver.
We also saw great opportunities to bring people together and to improve the services we provide students, families, and staff.
The past several years have been very challenging. A common theme found in the data was the need for student equity. Student learning and survey information revealed opportunities to improve the student experience and learning outcomes. Each student should be able to benefit from the opportunities our district provides. The team identified student voice as an important next step for growth with this theme.
Another theme was communication and the importance of outreach and listening. People shared they wanted to feel more connected to the district. They wanted opportunities to be engaged, understand how decisions are made, and provide input and feedback. The team identified communication and relationship goals to address these opportunities.
The identified strengths and opportunities provided direction for the team in developing goals for the 2021-22 school year. The team also recognized that this effort needed to go beyond the current school year and noted the importance of transitioning this work to the strategic planning process in 2022-23 through a vision goal.
Communication Theme Goal Statement: By June 30, 2022, VPS stakeholders will know that the superintendent and district leadership team have developed a framework or set of criteria to guide system-level decisions. Further, VPS stakeholders will understand the multiple ways they can provide input to help shape those decisions so that trust is built and transparency is enhanced throughout VPS.
Relationship Theme Goal Statement: By June 30, 2022, VPS staff will know that the superintendent and district leadership team have engaged with employees directly to solicit their input and conducted informal site visits to every school and work site, paying close attention to students, staff members and/or programs that otherwise might be overlooked.
Student Theme Goal Statement: By June 30, 2022, VPS students will know that the superintendent and district leadership team have established processes to amplify student voice, creating opportunities for all learners to share their experiences using multiple methods.
Vision Theme Goal Statement: By June 30, 2022, VPS stakeholders will know that the superintendent and district leadership team have initiated a strategic planning process for 2022-23 with broad and diverse public engagement opportunities to create a shared vision and identify goal areas, target objectives and measurable outcomes for the next five years.
Data Set
Interview data from superintendent hiring process - outreach to representative stakeholders was conducted about the challenges and opportunities for a new superintendent (Spring 2021)
District Leadership Team Thoughtexchange (spring 2021) Superintendent Transition: what are the most important things I need to do to help you/your school community /department to be more successful? REPORT
Student Thoughtexchange (spring 2021, grades 6-12) As we finish this year and plan for next, what advice do you have for us that would help you have a great year? REPORT
Staff Thoughtexchange (spring 2021) Considering what we've learned this year, what is important for us to consider in our fall 2021 planning and why? REPORT
Senior exit interviews (pilot only) - REPORT
Climate survey - data team
Empathy Interviews