School Improvement

What is school improvement, and who needs to do it?

Improvement is a continuous process used to ensure that all students are achieving at high levels. All schools can create better environments so that more students are successful. Continuous improvement of schools is essential to providing increased student performance and quality results. Innovative, exemplary, and research-based programs, coupled with professional development, focused and aligned resources, and public participation in planning, are critical factors in schools that demonstrate continuous growth. All public schools and Public School Academies (PSA) in Michigan are required to develop and implement a 3 - 5 year school improvement plan.

The job of the school improvement team is to lead the development of a school improvement plan that addresses school needs, to monitor the implementation of the plan, and to revise it when appropriate.

Michigan has established standards for schools that serve as the context for school improvement. School progress toward the attainment of Michigan learner outcomes is measured by MEAP in grades 4, 5, 7, 8, and 11. Alternative testing for special needs students is available to measure learner outcomes as specified in Individual Educational Development Plans. The gap between the state standards and current achievement on these assessments provides the direction for school improvement goals and efforts.

School staff must understand the process and recognize that it includes a number of steps that are cyclical in nature. Data is continuously collected and analyzed to determine progress and needs. With a good understanding of the process and a shared vision and mission, staff can begin to think in terms of changes necessary to creating improved student achievement. As teams begin to work through the process, they will shape and reshape what they know about instruction, the change process, and school improvement.

1. Creates a collaborative, continuous improvement culture to ensure that all students are achieving at high levels.
2. Encourages innovation through research-based practices.
3. Focuses and aligns staff development and resources.
4. Increases public participation in planning.
5. Provides data to support and document continuous growth.

School boards need good data to inform the decisions they make about district goals for improving student achievement. It is only after the school district goes through a thorough data analysis and problem clarification process that school boards have the knowledge they need to inform district priorities and resource allocation.