School-Community Planning
School Improvement Processes and Plans
Assessment of Needs
Agency staff will assist with a variety of methods for determining the learning needs of students and staff, including organization and facilitation of community forums, strategic planning or small group problem-solving sessions; development of print or phone surveys, organization and facilitation of focus groups; and samples of needs assessment strategies used by other districts.
Contact your Grant Wood AEA Regional Administrator
Communication Audits
A Communication Audit is a study of the effectiveness of communication within a school district or externally among schools, families, and the community. As an assessment tool for School Improvement, the communication audit may involve research on perceptions and attitudes; an analysis of publications and archival data, communication policies and procedures; and/or a study of school culture and environment.
As an early step in assessing needs, the Grant Wood AEA Communications Office staff will conduct internal and/or external communication audits with a district or building and its community. The audits provide a snapshop of the effectiveness of communication and recommendations for improvement.
Comprehensive School Improvement Plans
Chapter 12, IAC, requires school districts and approved non-public schools to develop Comprehensive School Improvement Plans and to report both to the Dept. of Education and to the community the progress being made toward student achievement goals. Agency staff can provide support for the development of these plans and reports.
Data Collection and Analysis
Districts are using the Grant Wood AEA On-line Assessment System, an Internet system, for collecting, recording and analyzing district-wide assessment data.
Evaluations and Stakeholder (Customer) Satisfaction
Agency staff can assist schools with developing evaluation strategies, with collecting and tabulating data, and with interpretation and analysis for determining if results meet the expectations of decision-makers and taxpayers.
Contact your Grant Wood AEA Regional Administrators
Facilitation
Nearly all agency certificated staff have been trained in the Four Hats Strategies, in the McNellis Planning Process, or in Total Quality tools for teaming and problem-solving. Staff is available to facilitate groups in local communities or schools or to train others in using the skills.
School Improvement Processes
Grant Wood AEA is supporting local district choice for School Improvement processes, and will provide training, materials, networking with other districts, and ongoing staff assistance to the extent possible. Most SI models incorporate a process of building awareness, assessing needs through public involvement, setting goals, developing and implementing plans, and evaluating results. The Grant Wood AEA Professional Library provides information for examination and comparison of these models.
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319-399-6850 |
Bart Mason
Reional Administrator |
319-399-6793 |
Strategic Planning
Agency staff certified through the American Association of School Administrators can facilitate or train others in planning strategically for the future. The process is based on analyzing strengths and barriers; establishing a vision, a mission, and core beliefs; developing Action Plans...all through a community involvement process.
Contact your Grant Wood AEA Regional Administrator |
319-399-6700 |
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Partnerships
Community Compowerment
In 1998, the Iowa Legislature established a Community Empowerment process, pooling and allocating funds to partnerships within geographical areas which focused on the well-being of families with young children and the removal of barriers to receiving education, health and human services. School board members, administrators, teachers and families are invited to be part of the process. Grant Wood AEA staff have been an integral part of Community Empowerment efforts in each county, can explain the legislation and its impact on schools, and can assist in getting involved with local efforts.
Reports and Communication Between Families and Schools
Crisis Communication
Throughout the school year, many crises and emergencies can occur. As a result, it's crucial to have a written emergency plan, outlining communication procedures, and strategies for informing parents and news media. Agency staff can provide samples of district plans and suggestions for an effective emergency plan.
Critical Incident Stress Management
Teams are available to provide immediate assistance to local schools in times of crisis or traumatic events, and to help schools plan for such events. For additional information or to contact a CISM Team:
Parent Education Consortium
The Parent Education Consortium is a resource available to any parent of young children. Parenting classes are an investment in personal growth and an investment in your child’s future. The benefits of participating in a parenting class will last a lifetime.
Parent Education Consortium |
319-399-6809 |
Parent Education Consortium
Parent Educator Partnership Program (PEP)
The Grant Wood AEA Parent-Educator Partnership (PEP) links families and educators for better understanding and communication.
Parent Educator Partnership Program
Publications and Reports
The Communications Office and Production Departments will provide training and consultation for school personnel in producing newsletters, annual reports, brochures, videos and handbooks. Examples from other districts are available. The staff in those departments will also do hands-on writing, editing, photography and videography, designing, printing, and production of those pieces, but there will be a fee for staff time and production costs.
Resolution Facilitators
Resolution facilitators are neutral persons who guide the participants through a process of resolving conflicts. Services are provided to schools and families at no cost by more than 30 trained resolution facilitators.
School-Community Relations
The Communications Office will provide training and ongoing consultation for the development of communication plans and strategies for interpersonal and mass communication, including ways to involve all persons in the school family and community.
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