The SPPS Achieves Strategic Plan is shaped through six long-term student outcomes. These are key areas of achievement we want to improve in order to raise the performance of all students.

Strategic focus areas are what we need to do as a district to bring about positive change in student achievement. The strategic focus areas include:

Objectives are the decisions made about how to address the strategic focus areas.

Strategic initiatives are significant projects that will help make a difference in student learning and achievement. Each initiative includes its own action plan that defines the scope, desired outcomes, deadlines and measurements that define success.

Phase 1

This document provides in-depth details for Phase 1 initiatives as noted in the following chart. Unmarked initiatives represent additional work that will happen in the next phase of this five-year strategic plan. Initiatives selected for Phase 1 implementation were determined based on several factors including:

• Align with what we are already doing
• Urgency of work
• Resources available
• Staff workload

In addition to the 10 strategic initiatives described in Phase 1 of this report, the following academic services have been prioritized to improve long-term student outcomes.

Early Learning

• Increase full day pre-kindergarten programming in conjunction with citywide effort to ensure that all Saint Paul children are ready for kindergarten
• Maintain and build partnerships with home- and center-based early childhood services
• Develop and implement professional development in World Class Instructional Design and Assessment (WIDA) Early Years language acquisition best practices
• Fully implement digital portfolio-based assessment of student progress in all pre-kindergarten classrooms

Literacy (PreK-12)

• Deepen the instruction of phonics skills to further develop reading skills for students in grades K-5
• Use data to improve guided reading/small group instruction for students in grades K-8
• Enhance educator professional development and increase independent reading time to help students read more difficult text in different genres
• Improve participation of underrepresented students in accelerated programs
  

Math (PreK-12)

• Deepen the understanding of Balanced Math (math review, problem solving, understanding of math concepts, fact fluency and data driven instruction) for students in grades K-12
• Collaborate with educators across the district to create materials that meet the needs of our culturally diverse population
• Use data-driven instruction to monitor student progress

Multilingual Learning

• Increase access to curriculum and support for Students with Limited or Interrupted Formal Education (SLIFE)
• Provide professional development for teachers and counselors who work with English learner students
• Improve communication with families of students in high school Language Academy programs
• Provide additional after-school tutoring at high schools with Language Academy

Personalized Learning

• Embrace technology as a key strategy for schools, educators and students to enhance achievement, productivity and creativity
• Provide families with access and support to use digital tools to support their students’ learning
• Provide students with learning choices and multiple ways to meet academic standards
• Encourage students to voice their perspectives, learning preferences and interests

School Improvement

• Increase achievement and decrease disparities in student outcomes through a focus on schools with the highest academic needs
• Engage all schools in a comprehensive assessment process that supports continuous academic improvement
• Standardize the instructional coaching model and provide support to school administrators and leadership teams

Specialized Services (Birth to age 21)

• Increase access to academic and social support classes (i.e., AVID) for students who receive specialized education services
• Focus special education for secondary students around the transition to high school, increased independence and post-secondary plans
• Strengthen outreach efforts to improve access to early childhood screening, which identifies health and developmental needs