Strategic Plan 1998-2000
Prepared by the Strategic Planning Task Force
May 1998
Core Values as Guiding Principles
The Santa Barbara School Districts are committed to ensuring that students, parents, and teachers understand the importance of Core Values as guiding principles in the Districts’ decision-making and allocation of resources. Core Values help the Districts maintain focus on top priorities with regard to programmatic and staff development, provide continuity during times of change and transition, and resist educational fads and trends. The Districts’ Core Values apply to everyone. The following Core Values represent a dynamic set of supportive relationships among students, teachers, and parents necessary to further each student’s learning and development. Each Board member and District administrator, principal, classroom teacher and educational specialist will be held accountable for his or her role in planning and implementing successful educational programs which reflect these values. Making Core Values explicit will assist District staff to consistently strive for high standards of academic excellence and performance at every level of the institution.
Excellence and quality:
We believe that each individual is capable of excellent performance by clarifying and using Santa Barbara School Districts’ performance and content standards. Each person is challenged to achieve their personal best, whether teacher, student, staff, or administrator.
Responsibility and accountability:
We believe that habits of responsibility cultivated in school are necessary and serve to increase the likelihood of success in life. Both instructional and extra-curricular programs provide opportunities to learn how to actively participate in one’s own learning experience. Students gain satisfaction from choices made to produce quality work by completing assignments and meeting deadlines.
Intellectual development:
We support each individual’s right to seek truth, obtain knowledge use reason to solve problems, and develop an appreciation for other points of view. In the process, we believe that individuals will find a personal connection to learning.
Creativity and innovation:
We believe that each individual is unique and can express ideas and opinions in creative, original ways. Therefore, programs at every level need to address all learning styles and provide innovative strategies that foster and reward creativity in students and staff.
Collaboration:
Santa Barbara School Districts’ collaborative partnerships with parents, the business community, employers and other educational institutions are the key to meeting society’s future needs for an educated citizenry and workers for an information age. External partners who have a stake in both the students’ and schools’ success provide valuable perspectives, networks, resources, feedback and ideas.
Civility and respect:
We believe that individuals can positively contribute to the quality of life in the school and the community by showing respect for one another. We practice courteous behavior, not only from a desire to be treated the same by others but because it is the right thing to do. We can appreciate diversity and learn how to resolve conflicts and solve problems peacefully together, through civil dialogue, education, and training.
Community involvement:
We believe that it is the Districts’ role to provide challenging opportunities that enable each individual to develop a sense of worth and fulfillment by achieving personal learning goals through active community involvement. Individuals can learn how to balance self-interest with the interests of the larger community and what actions are in service to the common good.