School Board of the City of Virginia Beach
Policy 2-42

ADMINISTRATION

School Improvement Process

A. Goals

The goals of School Improvement Process in Virginia Beach City Public Schools are:

1. To collaborate with the community on school improvement.

2. To develop measurable objectives that support:

a. Raising student and school achievement in the core Standards of Learning disciplines;
b. Improving student and staff attendance;
c. Reducing the student drop-out rates; and
d. Increasing the quality of instruction through professional development and licensure.

3. To seek continuous improvement in the school.

B. Implementation

The School Improvement Process shall be implemented in the schools through activities of a School Planning Council, a Principal’s Advisory Committee, and specific Action Teams. These bodies are integral in the development and implementation of the schools’ Plans for Continuous Improvement.

C. Operating Principles

The Superintendent shall establish guidelines for the operation of the School Planning Council and the Principal's Advisory Committee.

D. Oversight and Accountability

1. The Department of School Administration shall be responsible for collecting information from school principals to verify compliance with School Board Policies and Division Regulations.

The Department of Research, Evaluation, and Assessment will be responsible for annually surveying School Planning Council members, Principal's Advisory Committee members, and randomly-selected individuals who are actively involved in the school, but non-members of the School Planning Council or Principal's Advisory Committee, to assist in evaluating site-based management in the school division. Based upon survey results, the Department of Research, Evaluation, and Assessment will prepare an annual report to be provided to the School Board.

2. Biennial Review and Report

The school staff and community representatives shall review biennially the extent to which the school has met its goals and objectives, to analyze the school's student performance data including data by grade or academic department as necessary, for the purpose of reporting these outcomes to the school community. The report may be delivered in writing or orally at a regularly scheduled parent-teacher meeting or other publicized public meeting or forum.

Legal Reference:

Virginia Department of Education Regulations Establishing Standards for Accrediting Public Schools in Virginia, 8 VAC 20-131-10 et seq.

Adopted by School Board:          October 20, 1992
Amended by School Board:       September 2, 1997
Amended by School Board:       January 19, 1999
Amended by School Board:        November 5, 2002
Amended by School Board:        May 9, 2006
Amended by School Board:        February 5, 2008