Board of Education Goals & Vision

County Vision

(Established by Board of Education)

The Dorchester County Public Schools will provide continually improving educational programs in a safe and nurturing school environment with exceptional faculty and staff. This will be achieved through a cooperative and supportive partnership among school, home, and community. All students will acquire the self-discipline, knowledge, and skills necessary to become creative, self-sufficient lifelong learners and productive citizens.

County Mission

(Established by Board of Education)

The mission of the Dorchester County Board of Education, in partnership with the community, is to provide leadership for excellence in teaching and learning for all students by:

- consistently advocating for resources,

- continuously developing sound policies, and

- carefully monitoring student progress.

Goals for 2010

Graduation rate will be at least 85.0%.
The percentage of students at basic in reading and mathematics will be 15 % or less at the elementary, middle,
and high school levels.
The percentage of students at advanced in reading will be at least 40 % at the elementary, middle, and high school levels.
The percentage of students at advanced in mathematics will be at least 30% at the elementary, middle, and high school levels.Gaps in achievement between white and non-white students will be at 15% or less.
Gaps in achievement between FARM and non-FARM students will be at 15% or less.
Gaps in achievement between Special Ed and Non Special Ed students will be at 20% or less.

General Strategies

Communicate to all students their positive worth and potential so clearly that they come to see it in themselves.
Establish and maintain a system-wide climate of trust among all constituencies.
Conduct regular conversations around student data of all types at all levels.
Develop teacher capacity to deliver effective instruction to every student through differentiation strategies.
Support the co-teaching model and collaboration among teachers to promote student achievement.
Examine intervention, remediation, and enrichment programs and approaches, along with potential funding sources.
Provide training for staff in diversity issues to promote understanding of different groups.
Provide training for staff in effective use of instructional programs and/or scheduling models.
Align curriculum, instruction, and assessment at every level and vertically.
Provide focused professional development for appraisal team members on post-conferencing techniques and instructional walkthrough strategies.
Develop teacher capacity through both formal and informal processes.
Develop leadership capacity in those aspiring to administration and supervision.
Develop student leadership behaviors that promote the desired qualities of DCPS graduates.
Develop proficiency in technology standards for administrators, teachers, and students.
Pursue proactive alternatives for students at all levels.
Establish a more aligned pre-school experience for children not enrolled in DCPS programs.
Facilitate increased enrollment (and especially minority enrollment) in Gifted/Talented, Honors, Advanced Placement, and STEM opportunities.
Establish and promote attendance and discipline policies/practices that foster student success.
Align the services of counselors, pupil personnel workers, and the stay-in-school coordinator to promote program completion.
Refine benchmarking initiatives and the use of Performance Matters to inform both short and long range instructional planning.
Expand on existing parent, community, and mentoring partnerships.
Understand, communicate, and spend grant funds of all types efficiently and effectively.
Maintain effective coordination of technology support systems.
Integrate technology into daily instruction via direct instruction and student-centered learning activities.

Adopted August, 2009

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