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District Goals

 Springfield Township School District Goals

2024-2025 District Goals 

The Springfield Township School District is committed to collaborating with the local, county and state Board of Education, staff, students, parents, and community in the goal of creating a caring and positive environment that encourages students to develop their potential in academic, physical, social, and emotional aspects. 

Every day we strive to:

  1. Increase achievement by challenging and supporting students to reach their highest potential.

  2. Address the needs of the whole child by ensuring students feel healthy, safe, engaged, supported, and challenged, with opportunities for social/emotional learning and growth.

  3. Prepare students with the skills, awareness, and desire to actively contribute as productive citizens, locally and beyond.  

  4. Provide professional staff with the knowledge, skills, and resources necessary for highly effective delivery of instruction and services.

Core Goals For Our School District  *Ongoing, long-term goals

Core Goal 1

Through the use of data, maintain a consistent, school-wide approach to ensure we:

  • support the foundational literacy and mathematics skills of students;

  • identify students needing additional supports that will build on their strengths and target areas of need to ensure academic success while closing achievement gaps; and

  • Identify and provide for students who are academically ready for more rigorous curricular opportunities and engagements.   

Core Goal 2

Build upon a collaborative environment among educational stakeholders - Board of Education members, administration, faculty, staff, and parents/guardians - to ensure students: 

  • are functional, skilled readers by third grade; and 

  • transition from Springfield Elementary School with the necessary knowledge and skills to excel at the middle school level. 

Core Goal 3

Provide a learning environment for students and staff that: 

  • exceeds standards for safety and security; 

  • cultivates the development of social-emotional learning skills essential for success in aspects of learning and living; and 

  • values high-quality professional development aligned with the district mission statement.

Core Goal 4

Foster a strategic, forward-thinking mindset in which students are provided with: 

  • enrichment opportunities beyond the traditional curriculum and classroom; 

  • instructional technology that fosters collaboration and expanded thinking; and 

  • activities aligned with career readiness, life literacies, and 21st century skills. 

Focus Goal Areas for 2024-25  

*Focus Goal: one-year goal to establish priorities and to define specific action with measurable objectives.

Focus Goal 1

Specific: By the end of the 2024-2025 School Year the district will have successfully developed, documented, and piloted, a comprehensive, efficient, and repeatable change management process for curriculum standards. The process will be curriculum agnostic with revisions to the English Language Arts (ELA) and Mathematics curricula serving as the pilot use cases. This will involve aligning the curriculum with the new standards and ensuring all teaching staff are effectively trained to understand and implement these standards.

Measurable: Success will be measured by:

  1. The development and approval of updated curriculum documents that align with the revised NJSLS by September 2024.

  2. The completion of professional development workshops aligned with implementation of the NJSLS for ELA and Mathematics for 100% of the K-6 regular and special education teaching staff responsible for instruction in these content areas by March 2025.

  3. The development of an informal walkthrough evaluation checklist that allows administration to observe teacher competency in understanding and applying the new standards; bi-monthly progress reports to be completed indicating at least 90% of teachers have demonstrated competency as noted through the walkthrough checklist and classroom observations through May 2025.

Achievable: This goal is achievable with the commitment of the school district's resources, including the leadership of the Supervisor of Curriculum, the scheduling of regular professional development sessions, and provision of ongoing support for teachers through contracted instructional coaches.

Relevant: This goal aligns with the district's mission to provide high-quality education and ensure that students meet rigorous academic standards, preparing them for college and career success.

Time-bound: The goal will be accomplished by the end of the 2024-2025 academic year, with key milestones as follows:

  • August 2024: Form a task force comprising administrators and teacher representatives to oversee the alignment process.

  • August - September 2024: Review and revise the curriculum to ensure it aligns with the new ELA and Mathematics standards.

  • September 2024: Board of Education approval of revised curriculum aligned to the NJSLS-ELA and the NJSLS-Mathematics. 

  • September 2024 - March 2025: Conduct comprehensive professional development workshops for all teaching staff.

  • October 2024 - May 2025: Monitor and evaluate the implementation through classroom observations and informal walkthrough evaluations, providing additional support as needed.

Implementation Plan:

  1. Task Force Formation (August 2024):

    • Establish a dedicated team to lead the alignment and implementation process.

    • Include administrators and teacher representatives.

  2. Curriculum Alignment (August - September 2024):

    • Conduct a thorough review of existing curricula.

    • Identify gaps and areas needing alignment with new standards.

    • Develop and approve the revised curriculum.

  3. Professional Development (September 2024 - March 2025):

    • Design and schedule a series of training sessions focused on the integration and implementation of the new ELA and Mathematics standards.

    • Ensure all relevant teachers attend and participate in the training sessions.

    • Provide resources and materials to support teachers in understanding and implementing the standards.

  4. Monitoring and Support (October 2024 - May 2025):

    • Conduct classroom observations to assess the implementation of the new standards.

    • Use a developed walkthrough tool to gauge understanding and application of the standards.

    • Offer additional training or support where needed to ensure successful implementation.

Evaluation:

  • Monthly progress reports will be compiled and reviewed by the task force.

  • Feedback from teachers will be collected through surveys and focus groups to adjust the training and support as necessary.

  • End-of-year evaluations will determine the overall success of the implementation process and identify areas for continuous improvement.

 Focus Goal 2

Specific: By the end of the 2024-2025 academic year, the school district will reduce inappropriate behaviors in the classroom, playground, and buses. Activities that are sustainable beyond the 2024-2025 school year and focus on fostering a greater sense of belonging, improving relationship building and enhancing school culture among staff and students will be implemented in conjunction with this goal.

Measurable: Success will be measured by:

  1. A 25% reduction in recorded incidents (as documented in the Student Safety Data System) of inappropriate behaviors in the classroom, playground, and buses by the end of the academic year.

  2. 100% participation of all faculty and support staff in professional development sessions focusing on positive school culture and relationship building.

  3. Conducting four student assemblies (one per quarter) aimed at promoting a positive school culture.

  4. Administering biannual surveys to measure the sense of belonging and relationship quality among students and staff, with a target of a 20% improvement in positive responses by the end of the year.

Achievable: This goal is achievable with the commitment of district resources, including scheduling professional development for staff, organizing student assemblies, and employing Kotter's Change Model to guide the process.

Relevant: This goal aligns with the district's mission to create a safe and supportive learning environment where all students and staff feel valued and respected.

Time-bound: The goal will be accomplished by the end of the 2024-2025 academic year, with key milestones as follows:

  • September 2024: Establish a change leadership team to guide the implementation of initiatives and tasks associated with this goal through Kotter's Change Model.

  • October 2024: Conduct the first professional development session for staff & the first student assembly; administer first student & staff surveys. 

  • January 2025: Conduct the second student assembly. 

  • February 2025: Conduct the second professional development session. 

  • March 2025: Conduct the third student assembly.

  • May 2025: Conduct the final professional development session and the final student assembly; administer second student & staff surveys. 

  • June 2025: Evaluate the progress and impact of the initiatives.

Implementation Plan Using Kotter's Change Model:

  1. Create a Sense of Urgency (September 2024):

    • Share data on current school culture and incidents of inappropriate behavior.

    • Highlight the benefits of a positive school culture for academic and social outcomes.

  2. Form a Powerful Coalition (September 2024):

    • Establish a change leadership team including administrators, teachers, counselors, and student representatives.

  3. Create a Vision for Change (September - October 2024):

    • Develop a clear vision and strategic plan for improving school culture, focusing on belonging and relationship building.

  4. Communicate the Vision (October 2024 - June 2025):

    • Regularly communicate the vision and plan through meetings, newsletters, and assemblies.

    • Ensure consistent messaging to staff, students, and parents.

  5. Remove Obstacles (Ongoing):

    • Identify and address barriers to creating a positive school culture.

    • Provide support and resources to staff and students as needed.

  6. Create Short-Term Wins (September 2024 - June 2025):

    • Celebrate successes and milestones, such as reductions in behavior incidents and positive survey feedback.

    • Recognize and reward staff and students who contribute to improving school culture.

  7. Build on the Change (Ongoing):

    • Use feedback from surveys and observations to refine and enhance the initiatives.

    • Continue to build on successful strategies and introduce new initiatives as needed.

  8. Anchor the Changes in School Culture (June 2025 and Beyond):

    • Embed the principles and practices of the improved school culture into policies and routines.

    • Ensure ongoing professional development and student engagement activities to maintain and strengthen the positive culture.

Evaluation:

  • Track and analyze behavior incident reports monthly to measure reductions in inappropriate behaviors.

  • Administer surveys in October 2024 and May 2025 to measure changes in the sense of belonging and relationship quality.

  • Conduct regular meetings with the change leadership team to review progress and make necessary adjustments.

  • Prepare an end-of-year report summarizing the impact of the initiatives and identifying areas for further improvement.

Focus Goal 3

Specific: By the end of the 2024-2025 academic year, the school district will enhance the use of educational technology among teachers and students. This will involve comprehensive professional development for teachers on both new and current platforms and increased opportunities for students to engage with educational technology across multiple content areas. For students in grades five and six, the goal includes advancing their knowledge of coding, leading to opportunities for them to identify a need and create a response through coding.

Measurable: Success will be measured by:

  1. 100% of teachers in grades K - 6 and related arts completing professional development sessions focused on the effective use of educational technology by March 2025.

  2. A 20% increase in student engagement with educational technology tools across content areas by the end of the academic year, as measured by usage analytics and student survey feedback.

  3. 100% of students in grades five and six demonstrating basic coding skills and creating their own lines of code by the end of the academic year, as assessed through a minimum of two (2) coding projects.

Achievable: This goal is achievable with the commitment of district resources, including scheduling regular professional development sessions for teachers, providing access to necessary technology, and integrating coding into the curriculum for grades five and six.

Relevant: This goal aligns with the district's mission to provide a 21st-century education that prepares students for future academic and career success by developing their computer literacy and technological skills.

Time-bound: The goal will be accomplished by the end of the 2024-2025 academic year, with key milestones as follows:

  • September 2024: Establish a technology integration team to oversee the initiative.

  • September 2024: Conduct an initial survey to assess current technology usage, establish training needs, and identify opportunities for increased usage by students.

  • September - December 2024: Begin professional development sessions for teachers on current and new educational technology platforms.

  • January - March 2025: Continue professional development and start integrating coding lessons for students in grades five and six.

  • April - June 2025: Monitor and support the implementation of educational technology in classrooms and evaluate the progress of coding projects.

Implementation Plan:

  1. Establish Technology Integration Team (September 2024):

    • Form a team of administrators, technology specialists, and teacher leaders to guide the implementation process.

  2. Assess Current Technology Usage (September 2024):

    • Conduct a survey to evaluate the current use of educational technology by teachers and students.

    • Identify specific training needs and areas for improvement.

  3. Professional Development for Teachers (September 2024 - March 2025):

    • Schedule and conduct regular training sessions on both new and existing educational technology platforms.

    • Focus on effective integration of technology into various content areas.

    • Provide ongoing support and resources to teachers.

  4. Increase Student Engagement with Technology (Ongoing):

    • Integrate educational technology tools into daily classroom activities across content areas.

    • Encourage teachers to use technology to enhance student learning and engagement.

    • Provide opportunities for students to use technology for research, projects, and self-monitoring progress across various content areas.

  5. Coding Opportunities for Grades Five and Six (January - June 2025):

    • Integrate coding opportunities that include lessons on basic coding concepts.

    • Provide hands-on opportunities for students to practice coding skills.

    • Assign coding projects where students create their own lines of code, with assessments to evaluate their progress.

  6. Monitor and Evaluate Progress (Ongoing):

    • Use analytics tools to track student engagement with educational technology.

    • Collect feedback from teachers and students to assess the effectiveness of the training and technology integration.

    • Conduct regular meetings with the technology integration team to review progress and make necessary adjustments.

Evaluation:

  • Track participation and completion rates of professional development sessions for teachers.

  • Analyze usage data and student feedback to measure the increase in technology engagement.

  • Assess student coding projects to evaluate their understanding and application of coding skills.

  • Prepare an end-of-year report summarizing the impact of the initiatives and identifying areas for further improvement.

 Progress updates related to core and focus goals will be provided throughout the year.

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