MPS Five Year Plan 'Believe 2016' is Set in Motion

School presented more details to the School Committee Tuesday evening concerning the five-year strategic plan for the district known as "Believe 2016."

In the end, the plan will take and make the Marlborough a world-class school system and prepare students for the 21st century work force and global environment, said Pope.

Parents of students are invited to hear more about "Believe 2016" next Tuesday evening, Oct. 18, at the (where school committee meetings are held) on Washington Street. Check the Marlborough schools website for more details.

The school committee will formally vote to implement the "Believe 2016" plan at its next meeting Oct. 25.

Set in motion earlier this year, "Believe 2016" aims for high educational standards for every child who attends the Marlborough school system —including those in special education, English language learners or others who may have a variety of challenges.

The delineated goals for each year not only serve as a comprehensive road map, they are enjoined with real milestones that must be reached, said Pope.

Students, teachers, administrators and even the community at-large, will be held accountable for the district's collective success by a series of measurement tools that will keep everything on track. Educational benchmarks must be attained each year.

While the Believe 2016 has evolved from an idea, to a Powerpoint presentation, to a 60-page written document, Pope said this is not the final version — far from it. "This strategic plan is a static document that will change," he told the school committee. "The door will always be open to revise and edit."

The foundation of the plan is built upon student achievement, operational effectiveness and efficiencies, family and community engagement and embracing culture.

In the summary statement under the Student Achievement goal, Pope wrote, "All students will learn at high levels of academic expectations, and the achievement gap will be eliminated." In other words, if students need help, they'll get it from several directions.

Other Student Achievement goals also include:

- developing, refining and deploying a rigorous academic curriculum that is aligned with state and national standards.

- effective instruction practices which will give teachers the knowledge and skills they need to do their jobs.

- developing and implementing a comprehensive data-driven system that will be used to monitor students' progress.

- integrating technology throughout the core curriculum in the classroom

- providing increased opportunities for high academic performers.

- developing and implementing quality early childhood programs that will enable youngsters to confidently prepare them to enter first grade with confidence.

- providing kids with a wide range of curricular options, such as foreign languages, arts and music programs, science, technology, mathematics, and other programs that will prepare them for college and beyond.

Goal 2 (Operational Effectiveness and Efficiency) highlights the district's financial accountability as stewards of public funds; effectively training staff; using technology to its greatest advantage for students and teachers, such as cloud technology and visual textbooks; promoting a service-oriented culture so that if a parent has a question, he or she will receive a prompt response; and maintaining safe facilities and transportation services for all.

Goal 3 (Family and Community Engagement) focuses on fostering partnerships with the community and improving communication between the district and the public.

Goal 4 (Culture) supports students in building personal development with each other as well as their own character, whether it be on the sports field or in the classroom. The goal will also enhance cultural awareness and understanding to strengthen teaching and learning, and will recognize success by staff and students.

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