Read statement on diversity
OUR SCHOOLS: OUR FUTURE
Background
When did we decide to develop a master plan? In January 2008, the School Board voted to develop a master plan to include:
1)
a district-wide vision
a district-wide vision2)facilities improvements to our school buildings based upon an audit
facilities improvements to our school buildings based upon an audit3)a feasibility plan for two elementary magnet schools.
a feasibility plan for two elementary magnet schools.This decision was based upon several years of preliminary research, reports and discussions on Excellence & Equity in Burlington Schools.
Vision
In July, the Board adopted a vision statement based upon the work over the past several years and the visioning process with hundreds of teachers, parents, students and community leaders led by educational planner Frank Locker. The visioning process, conducted between March and July 2008, identified the ways that our schools must advance to prepare all students for the 21st century.
Key Learning From this Process:
- Our plans for Excellence and Equity must address 21st century learning -- creativity and real-world project learning -- district-wide.
- Community institutional partners have been critical in piloting several of the educational programs integral to the Excellence and Equity concepts. Continued collaboration with partners will remain an important component of our plan.
- Students benefit from classrooms that reflect our cultural diversity and socio-economic balance. Our experience, and national research, support socio-economically balanced, diverse classrooms that provide a more effective teaching and learning environment. Multi-cultural awareness and the ability to work in diverse teams is a hallmark of nationally-recognized 21st century education.
- A component of Excellence & Equity is our physical infrastructure. Our school buildings must be safe, healthy and support the delivery of educational programs.
- Successful schools attract, retain and welcome all families - when families choose Burlington Schools, everyone wins.
Timeline
Review brief highlights of our journey to OUR SCHOOLS: OUR FUTURE, including local and national research and parent, teacher and community engagement beginning in January 2006.
