Agenda Item
a. Strategic Planning Update
Summary: Presented by: Ms. Aurora Lora, Insight Education Group
Contact: Dr. Sherry Everett, Director of Strategic Planning, Division of Accountability & Continuous Improvement
Strategic Plan
Board Update
April 15, 2024
Strategic Plan Timeline
OCT NOV/DEC JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN
Project Planning
Steering Committee Meetings
Data Analysis
Stakeholder Surveys
District Leadership Drafts Sections for Feedback
Focus Groups
Data Analysis
Draft Shared
Board Work Board Work Board Work Final Plan to
Session Session Session the Board
Updated Strategic Planning Survey Results
Survey Responses
Group Number of
Respondents
Parent/Guardian 4006
Student 1963
Community Member 296
DCSD Employee + 402
Parent
Teacher 2257
School-Based 910
Employee (Non-
Teacher)
District Level 506
Employee
Total 10,340
What should DeKalb County School District start doing in order
to provide a high-quality education to all students? (Open
response) Teacher Top 10 Trends
Focus on student achievement: Prioritize improvements in reading, writing, and Positive school climate and social-emotional learning: There is a mention of
math across all grade levels. This likely includes setting clear expectations for providing social-emotional learning programs and recess for middle school students.
students and teachers, providing effective interventions for struggling learners, and This suggests a growing recognition of the importance of student well-being and
offering a strong academic program. social-emotional learning.
Teacher support and professional development: Highlights the need for well-trained Standardized testing: While not explicitly mentioned, the emphasis on achievement
teachers and ongoing professional development. This could include providing in reading, writing, and math may indicate a focus on standardized testing.
teachers with resources, implementing programs like Orton-Gillingham, and offering Investment in resources: The responses highlight the need for new resources,
training opportunities. including reading programs and differentiated instruction materials. This suggests a
Reduced class sizes: Suggests a desire for smaller class sizes, with a focus on hiring focus on providing teachers with the tools they need to be effective.
more staff. This would allow for more individual attention and student support. Focus on a well-rounded education: There is a mention of providing recess for
Parental involvement and communication: There is a call for improved middle school students and potentially arts programs. This suggests a focus on
communication with parents and stakeholders. This could include holding parent providing a well-rounded education for students.
meetings and workshops, and fostering collaboration between the community, staff, Data-driven decision making: Respondents mention the importance of professional
administrators, and students. development in data analysis. This suggests a movement towards data-driven
Equity and ensuring all students are successful: The responses emphasize providing decision making to inform instructional practices and resource allocation.
resources for all students, including English language learners and those needing
special education services. This suggests a focus on equity and ensuring all students
have the resources they need to succeed.
What should DeKalb County School District start doing in order
to provide a high-quality education to all students? (Open
response) District and School Employee Top 10
Focus on student achievement: Prioritize graduating students and focus on Trends
Parental involvement: Responses mention providing more resources for parents.
achievement in core subjects like reading and math. This likely includes setting clear This could be part of a larger effort to increase parental involvement and
expectations for students and teachers, providing effective interventions for communication between parents and the school district.
struggling learners, and offering a strong academic program. Mental health support: Responses mention the need for mental health support
Support for all students: Emphasize providing support for all students, including free services. This suggests a growing recognition of the importance of social-emotional
tutoring services and teacher’s assistants in elementary classrooms. This suggests a learning and student well-being.
focus on equity and ensuring all students have the resources they need to succeed. Standardized testing: While not explicitly mentioned, the emphasis on achievement
Teacher quality and training: Highlight the importance of hiring highly qualified in reading and math may indicate a focus on standardized testing.
teachers, providing professional development, and valuing all staff. This suggests a Summer programs: Responses highlight the need for mandatory summer
focus on improving teacher quality and creating a positive work environment. remediation and enrichment programs. This suggests a concern about learning loss
Smaller class sizes: There is a desire for smaller class sizes, with a teacher to student during the summer months.
ratio of 15:1. This would allow for more individual attention and student support. Curriculum resources: There is a mention of investing in district-wide digital
Technology integration: There is a call for exploring new technologies and coding programs. This suggests a focus on providing teachers with high-quality curriculum
education. This suggests a recognition of the importance of technology in education materials and resources.
and a desire to prepare students for the future.
What should DeKalb County School District start doing in order
to provide a high-quality education to all students? (Open
response) Parent/Guardian Top 10 Trends
Focus on equitable and healthy learning environments: Respondents emphasize Focus on core curriculum: There is a call for focusing on comprehensive learning,
ensuring all schools are equitable and healthy learning environments. This likely reading, math, and critical thinking skills. This suggests a move away from a focus on
includes improvements to ventilation and addressing concerns about aging facilities. social issues.
Redistricting for fairness and access: The responses mention redistricting in a way Smaller class sizes: There is mention of ending overcrowding and filling schools with
that is fair and gives all students access to community resources. This suggests a children from the neighborhoods the schools were built for. While not explicitly
concern about equity and ensuring all students have access to quality schools. calling for smaller class sizes, this suggests a recognition of the benefits of smaller
More remote learning days: There is a call for more remote learning days. This could class sizes.
be a way to address overcrowding or a response to the pandemic. Improved facilities maintenance: There is a mention of properly functioning HVAC
Improved discipline and classroom management: The responses mention cracking and roofing. This highlights a focus on improving the condition of existing school
down on discipline and classroom disruptions. This suggests a focus on creating a buildings.
positive learning environment for all students. New school construction: The respondents mention building more schools. This is
Teacher pay and support: There is a concern for teacher well-being. This includes likely a response to overcrowding in existing schools.
paying teachers and therapists more and providing them with the resources they Support for counselors and resources for parents: There is mention of supporting
need to be successful. counselors and providing resources for parents. This suggests a recognition of the
importance of social-emotional learning and parent involvement.
What should DeKalb County School District start doing in order
to provide a high-quality education to all students? (Open
response) Employees Who Are Parents/Guardians Top 10 Trends
Focus on student achievement: The responses highlight a strong focus on improving
Positive school climate: There is a focus on creating a safe and supportive learning
student achievement and academic excellence. This likely includes setting clear
environment. This likely includes promoting mental health awareness and social-
expectations for students and teachers, providing effective interventions for
emotional learning.
struggling learners, and offering a strong academic program.
Data-driven decisions: The responses suggest a movement towards data-driven
Smaller Class Sizes: There is a clear emphasis on reducing class sizes. This could be to
decision making to inform instructional practices, resource allocation, and school
allow for more individual attention and student support.
improvement efforts.
Teacher Support: Responses show a concern for teachers. This includes ensuring
Standardized testing: While not explicitly mentioned, the emphasis on achievement
they have the skills they need to be effective educators, addressing their needs and
may indicate a focus on standardized testing.
concerns, and providing them with professional development opportunities.
Focus on reading and math: There is a specific mention of reinforcing math and
Parental Involvement: There is a call for increased parental involvement and better
reading skills.
communication between parents and the school district. This could include holding
Equity: There were some responses about ensuring equity across all schools in the
parent meetings and workshops, and fostering collaboration between the
district. This likely includes allocating resources fairly and providing support for
community, staff, administrators, and students.
diverse learners.
Improved Communication: Improved communication is a recurring theme. This
encompasses transparent communication between all levels of the school district,
including teachers, staff, parents, and the community.
What should DeKalb County School District start doing in order
to provide a high-quality education to all students? (Open
response) Student Top 10 Trends
Mental Health and Well-Being: Students mention providing more mental health Technology in the classroom: Educational technology plays an increasingly important
services and mental health awareness programs. It would also help to reduce role, encompassing online learning platforms, adaptive learning tools, educational
workload and incorporate breaks throughout the day. games, and virtual reality applications.
Real-World Skills and College/Career Prep: Responses call for courses in practical Equity and Access: Respondents mentioned that smaller class sizes allow for more
skills and career and technical education (ex. welding, mechanics, etc.). There is also individualized attention. Support for students with learning disabilities and
a need for courses on post-graduate life skills. free/reduced lunch will give all students more access to school resources.
Improved Learning Environment: There are multiple requests for smaller class sizes Safe and Secure Environment: Respondents mentioned school security should be
and more engaging and relevant curriculum. Students would like interactive activities improved and there needs to be an increase in addressing bullying and behavioral
and better-quality textbooks with applicable information. issues.
Teacher Quality and Support: Responses suggest hiring and retaining qualified and Facilities and Maintenance: There is mention of improving building conditions
passionate teachers. There is a call for more training and support for teachers but (repairs and cleanliness) and allowing more access to basic amenities such as
also better pay and benefits for teachers. bathrooms and water fountains.
Student Agency and Voice: Students mention Dekalb County should have more Schedule and Flexibility: There is a mention of shorter school days and more breaks
student choice in coursework. Students would like more opportunities for feedback throughout the day. Students would also like more flexible learning options such as
and input so that coursework can reflect needs and interests. online learning.
What should DeKalb County School District start doing in order
to provide a high-quality education to all students? (Open
response) Community Member Top 10 Trends
Focus on student achievement and academic excellence: This includes setting clear Positive school climate and social-emotional learning: This involves creating a safe
expectations for students and teachers, providing effective interventions for and supportive learning environment, promoting mental health awareness,
struggling learners, offering a strong academic program, and holding students integrating social-emotional learning into the curriculum, and providing resources for
accountable for their performance. students struggling with mental health challenges.
Improved communication and collaboration: This involves establishing transparent Data-driven decision making: This trend highlights the importance of analyzing data
communication between district leaders, teachers, staff, parents, and the to inform instructional practices, resource allocation, and school improvement
community, fostering open communication, and valuing the perspectives of all efforts.
stakeholders. Smaller class sizes: This data suggests a focus on reducing class sizes, possibly to
Staff well-being and professional development: This trend highlights the importance allow for more individual attention and student support.
of addressing staff concerns, providing competitive compensation and benefits, Enrichment programs for high-achieving students: This includes offering programs
creating a positive work environment, and investing in professional development like AP, IB, or honors courses to challenge and motivate advanced learners.
opportunities for teachers and staff. Arts and a well-rounded education: This data suggests a focus on providing arts
Equity and inclusion: This encompasses allocating resources fairly, providing support programs, alongside academics, to offer a well-rounded education for students.
for diverse learners, promoting a respectful and inclusive work environment for staff,
and ensuring equitable access to services for students with special needs.
Family and community engagement: This trend features promoting parental
involvement, holding parent meetings and workshops, and fostering collaboration
between the community, staff, administrators, and students.
Focus Groups
Focus Groups by the Numbers
70 54
Total Focus Group Meetings Staff Groups
42 in person 28 in person
28 virtual 26 Virtual
1200+ 11
Participants Parent/Community Groups
Admin, Instructional Staff, Central Office Staff, Satellite 7 in person
Staff, Support Staff, HS Students, Parents, Community/ 4 virtual
Business, Transportation, Nutritional Services
14 7
In-Person Sites
10 groups/day over 4 days; 2 groups on day 5 HS Student Groups
Chamblee, Cross Keys, Dunwoody, Briar Vista, 7 in person
Columbia, Tucker, McNair, Oak Grove,
Southwest DeKalb, Stone Mountain, Fairington,
Clarkston, Rowland, Central Office
Focus Groups by the Numbers by day and district
Date Total # per day District # Staff Students Parent/Community/Business
March 8,2024 227 All Districts 227
March 11, 2024 167 1,2 130 26 11
March 12, 2024 237 3, 4 186 23 28
March 13, 2024 183 5, 6 110 20 53
March 14, 2024 153 7 95 33 25
March 21, 2024 278 All Districts 178 100
Total 1,245 926 102 217
Preliminary Goal Area Identification
Goal Setting Structure
District Strategic Plan Goals 1 2 3 4
Performance
Objectives A B C A B A B A B C
KPIs/
Strategies
Current DeKalb
County School
District Current
Strategy Map