Compass to 2015: Navigating the Future

 
Compass to 2015: Progress Report, July 2013

About

Virginia Beach City Public Schools, VA

• Virginia Beach City Public Schools is the largest school division in Hampton Roads – southeastern Virginia – serving approximately 68,210 students in grades K-12. Currently, the school system includes 55 elementary schools, 15 middle schools, 11 high schools, 1 Charter High School, and a number of secondary/post-secondary specialty centers, including the Renaissance Academy, Advanced Technology Center, Technical and Career Education Center, and Adult Learning Center. Source: About Us.
• Homepage: http://www.vbschools.com/. Twitter: @vbschools
• New Superintendent: Aaron Spence. Bio. Entry Plan: Charting the Course for Every Student, Every Day. Twitter @BeachSupe.
  • In June, 2013, Superintendent Dr. James G. Merrill left the district to become superintendent of the Wake County Public Schools. Former Associate Superintendent Jared Cotton is now Superintendent of Henry County Public Schools.
  • Presentation by Dr. James G. Merrill: The Power of a Compass on Our Journey to Transform Education, November 18, 2010. Excellent report on the district's journey. PowerPoint PDF plus presenter's speech.
  • Presentation by Dr. James G. Merrill: Compass to 2015: One School District's Story, November 2010. November 18, 2010. Excellent report on the district's journey.

Documents

• Compass to 2020: Charting the Course. New District Strategic Plan.
  • Strategic Framework
  • Our Progress
  • Our Journey
  • Teaching and Learning Framework
  • Graduate Profile
• September, 2014: Compass to 2020 Strategic Planning Process; District strategic planning conversation #chartingthecourse; VBCPS seeking input on new strategic plan logo
• Compass to 2015: A Strategic Plan for Student Success (PDF). See framework graphic below.
• Annual and Mid-Year Reports on Compass to 2015 Strategic Plan: June, 2010; January, 2011 ; July 2011; January 2012; June 2012
• VBCPS Educational Technology Plan -- addresses division-wide technology, supporting the school division's comprehensive strategic plan Compass to 2015.

Mission and Vision

• District slogan: "A commitment to provide all students with the necessary skills to thrive as 21st century learners, workers, and citizens."
• Mission and Vision Statements
  • Vision Statement: Every student is achieving at his or her maximum potential in an engaging, inspiring and challenging learning environment.
  • Mission Statement: The Virginia Beach City Public Schools, in partnership with the entire community, will empower every student to become a life-long learner who is a responsible, productive and engaged citizen within the global community.
• Watch as Students Share our Mission Statement (WMV video download)

21st Century Learning

• Compass to 2020: Charting the Course. Teaching and Learning Framework.
• Compass to 2015 Strategies
• 21st Century Skills for VBCPS
• List of Key Skills; Glossary; Resources; VBCPS continuum for 21st Century Skills; FAQ continuum for 21st Century Skills

Articles

• "Innovative Va. Beach schools chief in running for honor", By Elisabeth Hulette, The Virginian-Pilot, January 1, 2013. Profile of Superintendent Jim Merrill.
• Performance Assessment: A key component of balanced assessment system. Virginia Beach City Public Schools, Department of Research, Evaluation, and Assessmen, Wren, D. G. (2009).
• Confronting a Racial Achievement Gap: Merrill and his board developed “Compass to 2015: A Strategic Plan for Student Success," By Jennifer Elise Chase. District Administration, March 2010

Videos

• Help Chart Our Path
• Compass to 2015: Progress Report, July 2013
• Compass to 2015: Navigating the Future
• 21st Century Skills in Action: Critical thinking, creative thinking, and problem solving
• 21st Century Skills in Action: Communication, collaboration, listening, and information literacy
• 21st Century Skills in Action: Social responsibility, sustainability, interdependence and health literacy
• See Compass to 2015 Videos on Strategic Objectives 1-5 linked from Compass to 2015 Homepage.
• Watch as Students Share our Mission Statement (WMV video download)
• Compass Keepers of the Virginia Beach Public Schools
• Video Interview by Edustat with Dr. Jared Cotton
• Learning Walks Video 1 and Video 2. Administrators conduct classroom visits to find evidence of "look fors" of 21st Century Skills and Learning.
• The Four C's: Making 21st Century Education Happen features educational leaders from Envision Schools (California), Catalina Foothills School District (Arizona) and Virginia Beach City Public Schools (Virginia). Each school profile focuses on a unique aspect of how 21st century skills can help prepare students for college or a career. This film highlights both the student perspective, as well as how educators are using the 4 C's to create a collaborative environment. A presentation of EdLeader21 and the Pearson Foundation. Published on April 16, 2012.
• Assessing the Four C's: The Power of Rubrics is a companion film to The Four C's: Making 21st Century Education Happen and explores the special efforts three school districts (Envision Schools [California], Catalina Foothills School District [Arizona] and Virginia Beach City Public Schools [Virginia]) made to use rubrics to assess 21st century student outcomes. These rubrics help teachers specifically define each of the 4 C's and make them more transparent to students and parents. A presentation of EdLeader21 and the Pearson Foundation. Published on April 17, 2012.