5342+DIP

__**District Improvement Plans-**__

In comparing the two district improvement plans, I was first struck by Austin ISD’s clearly stated purposes for creating this plan.Through this statement, the reader becomes aware not only of the goals of this endeavor but, also of the review process, the involvement of the district in a comprehensive plan for continuous improvement as well as a long-range strategic planning.Additionally, Austin ISD’s monitoring policies evolve to ensure maximum efficiency.It is evident that Austin ISD’s document is a well-used tool to achieve the goals of the district.While the other district clearly states the strategies, person(s) responsible, resources, and a timeline, an overall statement of the purpose is missing as well as a long-range strategic plan. On top of a clear statement of purpose, Austin ISD’s district improvement plan spends time discussing the alignment of key guidance plans to implementation and resource plans.I do like my district’s statement of goals and assignment of a timeline, person responsible, and evidence of completion; however, the additional evaluation of alignment between goals, implementation, and assignment of resources in Austin ISD reflect a deeper examination of the district improvement process. While I do like the examples of district performance reports included in Austin ISD’s district improvement plan, these documents would be better placed in an appendix.They are great examples of district performance but lose the reader.From this perspective, I do prefer the concise nature of my district improvement plan because the organization intentional and additional documentation is not added.This feature of my district’s improvement plan adds to the usability of this document.Additionally, I do not see one chart (or a set of charts) where the goals of Austin ISD are articulated and tied to timelines, persons responsible, and evidence of completion.There are several documents which work towards articulating district goals; however, there is not one document that works to collect behavioral objectives that demonstrate how the district goals are to be achieved in a concise portion of the district improvement plan. I do think my district improvement plan could improve through creating a long-range strategic plan and documenting the alignment between district goals, implementation and resource plans.I would continue to keep the charts which clearly state the goals of the district, who is responsible, timeline for implementation and evidence of completion.I would add a column which ties budget allocation to each goal.Having district goals stated in this manner will contribute to the readability (and usability) of the document.Additionally, I would include a section which documents the continuous improvement process as well as the results of an annual needs assessment which looks at goal attainment and evaluates adherence to the long-range strategic plan.