Duval County has recently created an updated strategic plan that we are calling “Strategic Plan Version 2.0,” and we would like your input.  This updated plan builds upon the successes of our original plan, as well as increases our emphasis on areas for improvement.  The updated plan is an evolution of the original plan and leverages a lot of the positive work which has already started.

Over the course of the summer 2010 district staff, along with focus groups of teachers, principals, SAC, PTA, PTSA and students, worked to revise and update the plan which now covers 2010/11 through 2013/14.  The six major Goals of the original plan have remained the same:

Goal 1.      Increase Academic Achievement for All Students 

Goal 2.      Significantly Increase the Graduation Rate

Goal 3.      Employ the Best Teachers and Principals 

Goal 4.      Establish Safe, Secure and Respectful Schools

Goal 5.      Engage Family and Community Support

Goal 6.      Deliver High Quality Support for Schools

What we have changed are some of the objectives where, in some cases, we have exceeded our long-term targets, or in other cases where we felt a revised objective would be more beneficial.  The DRAFT version, available at www.duvalschools.org, has been reviewed with the School Board and they are considering if further changes are recommended. In the meantime, we would like to invite you to review the DRAFT version and provide your comments either online on our website or by attending the upcoming Public Hearing regarding the Strategic Plan Version 2.0, which will be held at 1701 Prudential Drive, at 6 p.m. on Nov. 1.

After the revised plan is approved we will implement the strategies outlined in this document with consistency and clarity across all of our schools, providing extra support for students, teachers and staff in our most challenged schools.  We are committed to success, and it is our intent to make clear and measurable progress every year toward our objectives. Keep in mind, this is a long-term strategy and we expect that it will take several years to completely achieve all of our goals.  In the meantime, we will continue to make improvements that will have immediate, measurable and significant positive impacts on the quality of public education in Jacksonville.