Academic
Initiatives

The Seattle School Board adopted a five-year strategic plan for the district on May 18. The plan establishes a framework for making decisions on academics, budgets and personnel, with an eye toward closing the achievement gap by 2010.

The district doesn’t have the resources to carry out some of the plan’s academic priorities unless it can reprioritize how it spends its money. That is a major reason the district gave for proposing reducing bus service and closing small schools.

View the district’s five-year plan

The initiatives:
1. High achievement for all students
2. Eliminate the achievement gap
3. Eliminate systematic barriers
4. Build leadership
5. Set priorities by equity and sustainability

Measurements of progress:
• 20 percent smaller gap in discipline rates between white and minority students
• 10 percent more children of color completing high-school advanced-learning classes
• 10 percent lower middle- and high-school dropout rates

Seattle outlines $100 million plan for better schools

Does more money mean higher test scores?

Paying for the Five-Year Plan

The full Five Year Plan, estimated costs and action items [PDF]
 

Why teacher turnover matters

In a given year, almost one-third of the nation's 3.4 million K-12 teachers are moving into, between or out of schools. Contrary to popular belief, most do not leave because of the low pay. Surveys suggest new teachers aren't prepared for the range of tasks required of them outside the classroom.

High turnover also places a staggering burden on taxpayers by consuming resources that otherwise could be devoted to books, tutors and other instructional resources.

Schools struggle to reduce high teacher turnover

Turnover varies widely among schools

Teacher turnover worst in Central, Southeast clusters

Five-Year Plan: Where some of the money will go

To increase the effectiveness of teachers:
$3.75 million: Literacy and math coaches based at struggling schools
$2.46 million: Strengthening preparation, recruitment and mentoring
$2.3 million: Training teachers in proven instructional strategies
$660,000: Improving working conditions and staff retention

To tackle equity issues:
$3 million: Rigorous college and technical program at every high school
$1 million: Carry out intervention plans in struggling schools
$575,000: Create partnerships with bilingual communities
$250,000: Create a central office group charged with raising awareness of institutional racism and giving people the skills and knowledge to dismantle it