High School District 214

Strategic Plan

District 214 is partnering with DeliverEd on a strategic planning process that will define our long-term vision and short-term priorities for student success. We know all stakeholders are critical to our success, so we have designed multiple opportunities for feedback throughout the process to ensure the plan reflects the best thinking of district leadership and the Board of Education, as well as the voice of families, staff, students and community members.

Over the spring and summer of 2024, the team from DeliverEd conducted a “capacity review,” gathering input from a wide range of stakeholders through surveys, focus groups, and data analysis to understand what is currently working well, identify areas for improvement, and describe ways District 214 could expand education and accelerate achievement for all students in the years to come. See this Board presentation for an overview and the results of this capacity review (presented at the August Board meeting).

This fall, DeliverEd has been convening a Strategic Planning Steering Committee of 40 stakeholders across the district that reflects the breadth and diversity of our community. This group has met for monthly workshops to draft the long term vision, portrait of a graduate, and five-year strategic plan priorities that can help us achieve those outcomes.

The Steering Committee is now seeking additional feedback on the draft versions of a long term vision, Portrait of a Graduate, and five-year plan (see presentation and deliverables here).

We are engaging stakeholders during this content review in two primary ways:

  1. Complete the survey for all stakeholders offered in 5 languages (see here for link) for reflections on the deliverables and suggestions for improvements.

  2. Hear a presentation from colleagues (staff meetings, parent council meetings, etc) to share more detailed context and nuance of the proposed documents. Dr. Rowe will also offer a virtual presentation for all interested on December 9th from 1:30-2:30pm CT - register here to attend.

We encourage everyone to participate in this review and provide your full and frank views that will improve the content of these foundational district documents to guide our work. Thank you in advance for your time and contributions!

District 214 Strategic Planning: Shaping Our Future Together

Welcome

District 214 has concluded the first phase of our strategic planning process, a comprehensive Capacity Review conducted in partnership with DeliverEd. This critical review marks the beginning of our journey to define a clear, actionable plan that will guide our district in ensuring student success and fostering a thriving educational environment. We are now moving forward with the next steps in our strategic planning process, grounded in the insights gathered from our diverse community.

Capacity Review: Understanding Our Strengths and Opportunities

The Capacity Review provided a thorough assessment of our district's current strengths and areas for growth. Key findings include:

  • Strong Community Engagement: Over 2,000 stakeholders, including families, students, teachers, and community members, participated in the survey, with responses collected in five languages.

  • Core Strengths: Stakeholders highlighted our dedicated and talented teachers, diverse course offerings, robust extracurricular activities, and strong community and family engagement.

  • Opportunities for Improvement: Areas identified for enhancement include equity in resource allocation, academic rigor, student behavior and discipline, and the consistency of experiences across schools.

These insights will inform our ongoing efforts to expand educational opportunities, ensure equitable outcomes, and accelerate achievement for all students.

Moving Forward: Strategic Planning Phases

With the Capacity Review completed, we are now transitioning into the design phase of our strategic planning process. Here’s what you can expect:

Phase 2: Designing the Strategic Plan (Summer-Fall 2024)

  • Stakeholder Engagement: We will continue to involve our community through additional surveys, focus groups, and interviews to refine our strategic priorities.

  • Drafting the Vision: A draft vision and a five-year strategic plan architecture will be developed, guided by the themes and recommendations from the Capacity Review.

  • Steering Committee Workshops: A Steering Committee, consisting of approximately 40 members from various roles within the district, is participating in workshops to shape the plan.

Phase 3: Finalizing the Strategic Plan (Fall 2024-Winter 2025)

  • Plan Development: The finalized strategic plan will outline specific goals, strategies, and actions to address the identified opportunities and leverage our strengths.

  • Implementation Planning: Detailed implementation plans for each strategic priority will be created, ensuring that our actions are aligned with our long-term vision.

Phases 4 & 5: Implementing the Plan (Winter 2025 and Beyond)

  • Performance Management: We will establish routines for ongoing performance management to monitor progress, adjust strategies as needed, and ensure continuous improvement.

Get Involved and Stay Informed

We invite all stakeholders to remain engaged as we move into the next phases of our strategic planning process. Your continued input and participation are vital to ensuring that our strategic plan reflects the needs and aspirations of our entire community.

  • Upcoming Events: Stay tuned for updates on upcoming workshops, surveys, and engagement opportunities.

  • Resources: Access the full Capacity Review Report and other related documents here.

Thank You for Your Participation

Your contributions during the Capacity Review have been invaluable in shaping the direction of our district. Together, we will create a strategic plan that drives excellence, ensuring that every student in District 214 has the opportunity to succeed.

Proposal Timeline

An iterative process for rigorous planning, meaningful engagement, and effective execution of the strategic plan.