Strategic Planning - 0530

Key Beliefs

The Federal Way Public Schools Board of Education believes that our public schools are significant community resources and assets, contributing to the strength and vitality of the community we serve.

We envision the Federal Way Public Schools to be a system of schools that are chosen by families who select living here so that their children may attend our schools; that are chosen by employees who find their work challenging and fulfilling; and that are recognized by our community stakeholders as demonstrating consistently high achievement.

We believe we, as a Board of Education, are elected by our community to function as stewards for their investment in the present and future through public education.  This foundational belief in our collective role as stewards, responsible for governance, is the driving force behind every Board activity in which we engage.

We provide leadership and direction by collectively exhibiting our beliefs, articulating our shared vision, evoking our mission, demonstrating our results, and focusing our limited resources through a sound strategic plan.

Mission:  Federal Way Public Schools purpose is to educate all students in academic knowledge, skills, abilities and responsible behavior to be successful, contributing members of a free society.

Vision:   All Means All

Primary Focus Area:  Student Achievement 

Beliefs:  Every student deserves the expectation of success with parents/guardians/advocates and teachers committed to student academic success and responsible behaviors.

Performance Expectations:

• One hundred percent of our schools make adequate yearly progress as defined by the reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act.
• All of our schools’ Math and Reading WASL results are above State average.
• At least 80% of the student achievement goals, specified in the Equity and Achievement Plan, are achieved.
• At least 50% of juniors and seniors take at least one Advanced Placement, Cambridge, or IB class and related examinations. 
• The District implements a yearly process for all eighth grade and high school students’ parents/guardians to review and sign their students’ 13th year plan.
• Every parent/guardian and student is provided with information about the different programs and outcomes that are available to them in Federal Way Public Schools.
• All students perform at least at the “Proficient” level (Level Three) in Reading and Math on the WASL test, in all grades in which the WASL is administered.

Supporting Focus:  Student Support and Responsibility

Beliefs:  Every student deserves a positive learning environment that is safe, challenging and inspiring.  Options will be provided to meet students’ diverse needs.

Performance Expectations:

• All students are provided with, and all parents/guardians will sign that they have received, the Code of Conduct.
• One hundred percent of schools create and implement discipline compacts for all students and parents.
• Major discipline instances decrease yearly in each school by 20 percent.
• All schools will establish goals for improvement based upon outcomes of an annual safety survey.
• All schools meet the reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act standards (NCLB) for unexcused absences.

Supporting Focus:  Home and Community Partnerships

Beliefs:     Parents are the primary decision-makers for their children’s education.  It is vital to the educational success of students that they have parental and community support.

Performance Expectations:

• The District will develop the means to engage 100% of parents/guardians/advocates in active participation of their child’s education.
• Career & Technical Education (CTE) Advisory Committees include both employers and employees in the vocational area.
• Create and implement a College Admissions Committee to provide information, guidance and direction to students and parents regarding college admissions standards.
• Todd Beamer High School Academies will create and implement Advisory Committees similar to CTE connections.

Supporting Focus:  Staff Excellence

Beliefs:     We believe in a highly skilled and motivated staff whose focus is student achievement.

Performance Expectations:

• One hundred percent of our staff meets “Highly Qualified” definition specified by the reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (NCLB).
• AP, IB, Cambridge and AVID certification increases yearly.

Supporting Focus:  Fiscal Responsibility

Beliefs:  We deliver quality in a fiscally responsible manner.  We focus investment in classrooms and are good neighbors.

Performance Expectations:

• The percent of the budget allocated to “teaching” and “teaching support” is in the top quartiles of all Washington State school districts larger than 3,000.
• Maintain the general fund reserve at 3%-5%.
• Construction projects are completed within budget and timelines.

Adopted:     9/11/07