BACKGROUND

 

 

Increasingly, our public is requesting more information about student learning and school success.  In addition, administrators and teachers require purposeful information to assess the effectiveness of programs and to assist in confirming and/or refocusing school priorities.   The Quality Catholic Schools Initiative is an important vehicle for planning and directing the activities of schools within the London District Catholic School Board.  The project concerns itself with two important and integrated elements, school accountability and school improvement.  The goals of the initiative include:

 

1.  The school climate encourages improvement in student learning, programs, and services.

 

2.  There is a commitment to continuous assessment, planning, and improvement at the school level.

 

3.  Community involvement and participation is enhanced, thereby resulting in greater accountability for schools.

 

4.  The responsibility for decision-making lies closer to the individual school community.

 

 

HOW DOES IT HAPPEN?

 

The project is initiated at the school level with the formation of a School Success Team, which is composed of members of the Catholic School Council, the school staff and members of  the parent community.  The Success Team operates as a sub-committee of the School Council and is charged with the responsibility of guiding and supporting the project through its various stages.

 

The School Success Team begins its work by establishing or reviewing the School Profile. This profile is a snapshot of the school community and allows the school to articulate the unique aspects of their culture.  Descriptive data, demographics, details about special programs and other selected information are collated to form a profile of the school.  The profile should be viewed as a dynamic document that will evolve as the school changes over time.

The second major aspect of the Quality Catholic Schools initiative is the data collection phase.  Extensive surveying of students, parents and staff is conducted using both open-ended and selected-response question formats.  The survey occurs on a bi-annual basis.  The survey is organized around the twelve characteristics of effective schools.   Results provide an “accountability indicator” for each characteristic.  The survey results, in combination with other indicators of school success, create an accurate picture of the school, its community, and the nature of the existing relationships.

 

After reviewing the profile and survey results, Success Teams identify specific goals for improvement and prepare an action plan.  This plan clearly sets out the actions to be taken, the persons/groups responsible, the resources required, the indicators of success and the timelines to be followed.  In the development of their plans, Success Teams are encouraged to identify two or three important initiatives that will have a tangible, positive impact upon the learning culture for students.  Those initiatives that bring together all partners involved in education, including parents, and engage them in action around the targeted areas, are the most likely to result in improvements in student learning.

 

Evaluation is an important component of school improvement.  The action plan must be reviewed periodically to ensure that plans are being implemented properly and that targets are being met. 

 

Targets for improvement should act as a focal point for activities and planning at the school level.  The expression we have used in describing this project is, “an umbrella, not a crowded tent.”  This implies that principals, in their work with parents, staff and students will link other initiatives and projects to the targets outlined in the action plan.  Such initiatives would include the School Council’s goals, the principal’s annual school goals, staff members’ professional growth plans, budget priorities, etcetera.  It is through the focusing of energies that we will bring about real positive change for students.

 

 

HOW ARE SCHOOL COUNCILS INVOLVED?

 

School Councils play a vital role with respect to the Quality Catholic Schools initiative.  Some members, for example, are directly involved by serving on the School Success Team.  The entire School Council, however, has a part to play.  The School Council’s role is twofold.  The School Council is charged with the responsibility of reviewing the action plan that is developed by the Success Team, providing input, and endorsing the recommendations of the Success Team.  Secondly, the support of the School Council is necessary for the successful implementation of the action plan.  School Councils link their objectives with the targets that emerge from the Quality Schools initiative.  For example, members may consider the action plan when making budget-related decisions or planning activities.