School Administrative Unit #37
286 Commercial Street, Manchester, NH 03101 * Tel: 603-624-6300 * Fax: 603-624-6337

 


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Manchester Public Schools

Education Improvement Plan

Mission of the Manchester Public Schools

To provide safe, healthy, nurturing and respectful environments in which all students have the opportunity to acquire knowledge and skills that will enable them to become life-long learners as well as positive and productive citizens. The success of our schools can only be achieved through collaboration and interdependence with the community. The District is committed to utilizing all resources towards this exciting challenge.

Beliefs of the Manchester Public School District


We believe that all individuals can succeed and become valuable members of society.

We believe that all should be involved in on-going education through participation, interaction, and mutual support in learning.

We believe that the community has a shared responsibility for every learner's development.

We believe on-going assessment is necessary to create measures and indicators of the learning process and program effectiveness.

We believe that a sound education encompasses both academic learning and practical knowledge and skills.

We believe that the Manchester Public Schools are a resource in the social and economic development of the City, providing educational access for individuals of all ages to continue their learning and acquisition of new skills in a new economic age.

Goals of the Manchester Public School District

Goal One ...To emphasize the inter-relationship of the schools and the greater Manchester Community.

Goal Two ...To utilize New Hampshire and National Curricular Associations as models in establishing local and on-going curricular development and implementation.

Goal Three ...To exceed the requirements of Minimum Standards established by the New Hampshire State Department at the Early Childhood and Elementary levels, and the New England Association of Secondary Schools and Colleges.

Goal Four ...To improve instruction and learning through the application of technology.

Goal Five ...To continue the implementation of Middle School philosophy.

Goal Six ...To increase school success by promoting healthy youth behaviors related to alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs, violence, and depression/suicide.

Goal Seven ...To assess the physical facilities of the District to ensure the successful implementation of the District Educational Improvement Plan.

Goal 1: To emphasize the inter-relationship of the schools and the greater Manchester Community.

Activities

  • grant availability from networking companies
  • language arts k-6 texbook community celebrations
  • ESL community initiatives
  • cellular phone partnerships
  • Kids Vote
  • athletic events
  • School to Work opportunities
  • business apprenticeship/internships
  • community technology links
  • community career/college connections
  • scholarship opportunities
  • Bright Futures (Manchester 2000)
  • NH College teacher depot
  • student community service
  • medical community involvement with schools

Resources

  • teacher-links to community
  • For Manchester
  • School to Career
  • Chamber of Commerce
  • volunteer programs
  • networking systems and public relation firms
  • newspaper/media telecommunications companies

Professional Development

  • Conferences and networking with business community.
  • Telecommunication training provided by community business partnerships.
  • Provide curricular materials, classroom materials, teacher trainers, and orientation.
  • Teacher, community, and business volunteers share ideas in informal session and develop target projects.
  • Orientation and goal setting with school staffs.

Assessment

  • Teacher, parent, and administrator survey with plan of action.
  • Continue development of job placement/vocational competencies to coincide with district goals.

Goal 2: To utilize New Hampshire and National Curricular Association as models in establishing local and on-going curricular development and implementation.

Activities

  • Implement site based management system and accountability standards
  • Access the latest technology and research via the Internet on curriculum and curriculum issues.
  • Implement the revised curricula at all levels.
  • Compile best practices and current research with district curricula and NH Frameworks.
  • Local district standards in all content areas
  • Item analysis of NHEIAP results for grades 3, 6, and 10
  • Utilize teacher generated assessment tools
  • Future curricula adoptions based on national standards and NH Frameworks
  • Implementation of school based budget
  • Strengthen School to Career goals to assure a more systematic implementation.

Resources

  • Professional time for teacher curriculum committees
  • Professional development for the entire community
  • Business partnerships
  • Technology and voice, data, video transmission
  • Internet access
  • Active membership in professional associations
  • Higher education involvement with colleges, universities, and technical schools
  • Encourage and support individual educator strengths
  • Teacher generated assessment tools
  • Communications protocol
  • Districtwide operations manual

Professional Development

  • On-going and year round
  • Realistic time lines
  • Parallel groups working simultaneously
  • Student and parent involvement
  • Community awareness initiatives
  • Active curriculum committees in all disciplines
  • Local district standards combined with national standards
  • Interdisciplinary teams at all levels
  • Internet training for access to latest curriculum and research
  • School improvement planning
  • IDEA, student discipline, Title IX, 504 plan, instructional leadership and staff evaluation

Assessment

  • NHEIAP Grades 3, 6 and 10
  • Teacher Assessments
  • Utilize adopted textbook/curricula assessment tools

Goal 3: To exceed the requirements of Minimum Standards established by the New Hampshire State Department at the Early Childhood and Elementary levels, and the New England Association of Secondary Schools and Colleges.

Activities

  • Upgrade physical plants.
  • Evaluation of current staffing patterns and class size
  • Analyze monthly enrollment figures.
  • Examine alternative forms of student assessment.
  • Develop performance standards for teachers.
  • Provide programs that integrate experience based curriculum projects for all students.
  • Develop and maintain innovative approaches for tracking truancy.
  • Completion of networking infrastructure
  • Implementation of district wide comprehensive guidance program
  • Implement site based management system and accountability standards.
  • Evaluation of resources to meet all standards
  • Consultation with curriculum teams
  • Focus on parental involvement.
  • Extend school day/year.
  • Raise current standards.
  • Develop assessment tool for building needs and allocation of resources.
  • Strengthen School to Career goals to assure a more systematic implementation.

Resources

  • Community and business partnerships
  • Opportunities to increase state and city education funds
  • Grants
  • After school programs/child care
  • Ethnic and culturally diverse community members

Professional Development

  • Teacher training for all curriculum components
  • School based self evaluation committees

Assessment

  • Focus Group activities for all standards
  • Secondary School Assessment by the New England Association of Secondary Schools and Colleges
  • School self-assessment
  • NHEIAP for grades 3, 6, and 10

Goal 4: To improve instruction and learning through the application of technology.

Activities

  • Bright Futures (Manchester 2000)
  • Technology advisory committee
  • Cable TV collaboration
  • Utilize technology resource center.
  • Maintain lending libraries.
  • Expand technology curriculum projects.
  • Incorporate distance learning into curriculum.
  • Continue school level tech teams for support and trainings.
  • Extend early release days for professional development and technology.
  • Maintain district intranet and internet with E-mail capacity.
  • Strengthen School to Career goals to assure a more systematic implementation.

Resources

  • Community involvement using parents, colleges, and businesses
  • Internet access
  • Hardware/software teacher training
  • Federal grant and allocation funds
  • Existing tech team support
  • Computer upgrades for software/hardware compatibility
  • Computer resource room for training classes to include IBM
  • Teacher resource for training activities
  • Multimedia presentation units for each school
  • Laser printer upgrades
  • School system network

Professional Development

  • Continue implementation of technology support team at each school site
  • Technology resource center to support professional development at all levels
  • Workshops based on needs assessment, curriculum materials, middle school interdisciplinary teams, technology acquisitions, community partnerships, and infrastructure networking needs
  • Explore networking capabilities with municipal government
  • Design district website links with each school

Assessment

  • Evaluation portfolio for Technology Challenge Grant
  • Documentation of successful training session by participants and presenters
  • Professional staff evaluation includes integration of technology within curriculum & NH Frameworks
  • Grant evaluations for specific projects
  • Continually review and update elementary and secondary technology goals

Goal 5: To continue the implementation of Middle School philosophy.

Activities

  • Implement a philosophy for Middle Schools within the District.
  • Set an overall plan to implement the Middle School concept with time lines.
  • Scheduling to include blocks of time for team and interdisciplinary teaching
  • Implement current curricular revisions.
  • Provide accommodations and modification/support for ESL, LEP and Special Needs populations.
  • Implement site based management system and accountability standards.
  • Contract with outside evaluators, e.g. NELMS.
  • Self evaluation and observation of all classrooms
  • Awareness seminars for school board members, administrators, parents, teachers, students, and staff
  • Establish district team of evaluators.
  • Ongoing assessment of present status of implementation of middle school philosophy
  • Staffing the four (4) middle schools
  • Develop consumer and family science and technology curricula.
  • Establish short and long range plans for implementing revised curriculum
  • Purchase supplementary instructional materials for all disciplines.
  • Examine grouping and tracking practices.
  • Strengthen School to Career goals to assure a more systematic implementation.

Resources

  • Funds expressly for ongoing NELMS support
  • Field observations/visitations
  • Local and national conferences
  • Curriculum development and implementation
  • Varied consultants for ongoing assessment/evaluation of middle school structure
  • Student assistant program coordinator in each school
  • Parent/teacher associations

Professional Development

  • Immediate and ongoing consultation to address all aspects of the development of the "middle school"
  • Feedback mechanism from professional conferences attended
  • Hold planning sessions to define faculty and staff roles and responsibilities
  • Training in the team building process
  • Provide specific curricula training in all subject areas
  • Attend NELMS annual conferences
  • Create a stronger partnership between NELMS and the Manchester School District
  • Professional membership with middle school organizations

Assessment

  • NHEIAP for grade 6
  • Continual evaluation of staff and middle school initiatives
  • Utilize adopted textbook/curricula assessment tools

Goal 6: To increase school success by promoting healthy youth behaviors related to alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs, violence, and depression/suicide.

Activities

  • Revise student code of conduct
  • Long term commitment to Conflict Resolution, Peer Mediation, and Responsive Classroom
  • Strengthen building security at all sites
  • Facilities to determine capacity needs for supporting educational goals
  • Effectively assess present cleaning/custodial service plan for implementation and accountability
  • Monthly reports on drop out rates at each school
  • Full time commitment to Student Assistance Programs at middle and senior high schools
  • Drug free school zones
  • Chemical use/violence policies/protocols at all schools
  • Police Liaison Program at middle and senior high schools
  • DARE program at all elementary schools
  • GREAT (Gang Resistance Education and Awareness Training) program at all middle schools
  • Red Ribbon Week activities
  • Community service initiatives at individual schools
  • Support District initiative for alternative education programs
  • Resiliency initiatives for enhancing school climate and restructuring efforts
  • YMCA, Reach Out for Youth, and Boys and Girls Club programs
  • Comprehensive health program at all grade levels

Resources

  • Community and parental involvement
  • Teachers, administrators, counselors, and school nurse
  • Social service agencies
  • Police Department
  • Medical community
  • Elected officials/religious leaders
  • Makin' It Happen Coalition for Resilient Youth Programs

Professional Development

  • Conflict Resolution/Violence Prevention for all staff, parents and community members
  • Makin' It Happen Coalition for trainings for staff, parents, community members and steering committee
  • Health/wellness/resiliency/prevention professional development
  • Health education curriculum development, pre K -12
  • Student Assistance Programs in-service workshops/trainings

Assessment

  • Workshop/training/in-service assessments/evaluation for all Goal activities
  • Student Assistance Programs
  • Police and Office of Youth Services reports
  • School incident reports

Goal 7: To assess the physical facilities of the District to ensure the successful implementation of the District Educational Improvement Plan.

Activities

  • Ratings and codes for accessibility, maintenance, equipment, and air quality
  • Strict compliance with state, national, ADA, IDA, OSHA guidelines
  • Strong parent advocacy and communication link between schools
  • Time line using priority lists starting with the basics
  • Use summer down time to make repairs and improvements

Resources

  • Evaluators consisting of educators, students, parents, and objective outsiders
  • Business leaders, school board members, experts in particular fields, i.e. architects, health care, fire, and police
  • City and state departments
  • Business involvement to include partnerships
  • Chamber of Commerce
  • Rotarians
  • Parent/teacher volunteers

Professional Development

  • Parent and Board of School Committee informational session
  • In service provided by city and state departments

Assessment

  • Establish surveys, interviews, ratings scales, checklists, and on site inspection levels
  • Work toward setting in place a system to establish basic materials and evaluation process
  • On site inspections on rotating basis
  • Complete inspections by May


This page last updated March 13, 2007 by Kevin Smith

 

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