Areas of Focus for 2020-21

Areas of Focus

  • The 2020-21 Areas of Focus provide the organization with a clear set of priorities for the current school year to advance the division forward in reaching the ultimate goal of empowering all students to thrive in a diverse and ever-changing world.

    2020-21 Areas of Focus School Board Presentation (PDF)

  • Data-Informed & Equity-Focused

    Priorities identified through audits and evaluations:

    • Communications - time study, project management system, customer response system, website, and professional learning
    • Family Engagement - relationship building and expanded resource utilization
    • Human Resources - long-term goals, enhanced processes, and employee onboarding
    • Facilities - long-term facilities management plan, repair quality assurance system, and communication efficiency
    • Students with Disabilities - address disproportionality in referrals and identification of “children of color,” or culturally and linguistically diverse students
    • Talented and Gifted - address disproportionality in economically disadvantaged and minority students’ enrollment and participation rates, greater differentiation of the curriculum, instructional techniques, and related materials

    COVID-19 response monitored through key drivers:

    Instruction

    Engaged students showed academic progress. There is a need to increase engagement across all ACPS students and families.

    Technology Access

    ACPS has been responsive to technology needs. There is a need to ensure all students are accessing online learning.

    Nutrition, Health, and Safety

    A majority feel supported and are managing their emotional stress well. On average, 30,000 meals were served weekly, peaking in May.

    Communication

    Stakeholders feel well informed but connectedness has been impacted. The continued use of multiple communication methods is critical.

    Impact of Dual Pandemics

    • Social-Emotional: Trauma adversely affects students’ capacity to regulate emotions and control behaviors and inhibits relationships with both teachers and peers.
    • Academic: Trauma causes lower levels of academic achievement. Trauma-affected students are more likely to encounter learning difficulties, need additional supports, experience grade retention, and absenteeism, and drop out of school.
    • Disproportionality: Trauma occurs across all segments of a community, but research has found trauma disproportionality impacts families with lower economic resources, higher parental stress levels, and those experiencing insecurity across critical areas (food, shelter, employment, transportation).

    Areas of Focus

    Areas of Focus

    1. Reopening of Schools

      • SEAL
      • Technology
      • Meal Distribution

    2. Policy Equity Audit

    3. Strategic Plan Implementation

      • Action Planning
      • Monitoring Metrics

    4. Renaming of Schools

    5. Academic Disparities

      • TAG
      • PreK-2 Literacy
      • SWD ED Black Males
      • Hispanic Male
      • Graduation Rates

    Alignment

    2019-2020 Focus areas

    • Strategic Plan remains an area of focus, including the High School Project, and is founded upon Equity
    • All audit action plans will be incorporated into Department and/or School Improvement Plans

    2019-2020 Budget Priorities

    • PreK-2 Literacy and Hispanic Graduation Rate remain areas of focus
    • MTSS and PBIS is carried forward in Reopening Plan within SEAL
    • Customer Service, Cultural Competence, and Staff Retention
    • Highlighted within Strategic Plan Action Planning
    • Students with Disabilities, Facilities, and Human Resources Audit
    • Action Steps are carried forward through Department Improvement Plans