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Articulate a Vision

Contents


"Seek parent involvement from the beginning," urges a district leader with experience in implementing a choice program. When parents and other stakeholders are invited into the early planning stages for any fundamental change, they are much more likely to actively support the change and, in this case, become champions for the choice program or a particular school of choice.

Program Practices

Each practice below comes from an individual school choice program.

Clearly Outline the Purpose for an Advisory Council
Duval County Public Schools formed an advisory council of 30 representatives from the community, including higher education and private industry professionals, central office staff, teachers, principals, and parents. The purpose and responsibilities of this group are clearly defined in the council bylaws.

Create a Choice Advisory Committee That Incorporates Community Input and Develops Choice Recommendations
To ensure their diverse community has a voice, Hillborough County Public Schools created a Choice Advisory Committee in the 2003–04 school year.

Define Guiding Principles for the Program
Houston Independent School District created a task force to draft a set of guiding principles by which the district could focus their decision-making efforts.

Implement VIP School Site Visits to Introduce Key Central Staff from Outlying Districts to Interdistrict Program
To familiarize key stakeholders from neighboring districts with New Haven Public Schools' interdistrict schools, the district’s magnet program has been providing scheduled VIP annual tours of their magnet elementary and high schools for the last ten years.

Offer Opportunities for Your Community to Engage in Creating a Choice Vision
Monadnock Region Public Schools of Choice initiated a one-day forum for business leaders and educators to begin a conversation about what knowledge and skills are needed by students in the business world.

Share Your Commitment to Create "Healthy" Schools
Wake County Public School System’s school choice program began in 1982 as a desegregation measure. At that time, the district and community leadership drafted a set of Wake County Guiding Principles to help them design their school choice program.

Sample Materials

All sample materials under the topic of "Articulate a Vision":

Word Magnet Advisory Council Bylaws
Duval County Public Schools wrote this set of by-laws for its districtwide Magnet Advisory Council. The by-laws state the responsibilities and purpose of the group, explain membership information, and describe the roles of elected officials.

PDF Description of Magnet Programs
The purpose of this memorandum is to describe the Houston Independent School District magnet programs, including general guidelines, curriculum development, and transportation elegibility.

PDF Guiding Principles
A task force comprised of community stakeholders and Houston Independent School District personnel drafted a set of guiding principles to help regions maximize integration efforts and help focus decision-making efforts.

PDF Healthy Schools Criteria
Wake County Public Schools uses a set of criteria to manage its school choice program that focuses on maintaining the "health" of the district.

PDF Monadnock Region Community Forum for Business and Education Leaders
Monadnock Region Schools of Choice provided the opportunity for community leaders to work together in refining the vision for their choice program.

PDF Letter of Invitation to Tour the Interdistrict Magnet Schools
This invitation welcomes district and school administrators, guidance counselors, and PTA presidents from neighborhood districts to an annual bus tour of New Haven Public School’s interdistrict magnet schools.

PDF Flowchart for Choice Management
This flowchart was developed by Hillborough County Public Schools to facilitate the management of school choice in their district.

PDF Choice Advisory Committee District By-Laws
The role and responsibilities of committee members are defined in this Hillsborough County Public Schools by-laws document.

Media

All media under the topic of "Articulate a Vision":

Three Things to Consider

Consider the following:
  • Include stakeholders in developing your vision
  • Create a vision that is clearly articulated and understandable by all stakeholders including parents and community members
  • Create an advisory council to help form and maintain your vision