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Marlborough Public Schools
District Improvement Plan
2023-2026
2022-2023 District Goals
Goal #1: Student Achievement
Marlborough Public Schools is committed to at least 60% of our students in each grade level (K-10) meeting or exceeding their projected growth target as measured by the 2023 spring NWEA assessments in both math and reading.
Goal #2: Anti-Bias/Anti-Racism (ABAR)
Marlborough Public Schools is committed to educational equity for our students. We will improve our understanding of the impact of bias and racism in our classrooms/schools/district as we examine our educational systems, structures, and culture and make changes as needed to ensure equity.
Goal #3: Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) and Restorative Practices
Marlborough Public Schools will continue to review, evaluate, and update current PreK-12 SEL frameworks. In conjunction with a Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS), MPS will engage in a second phase of trainings and implementation of Restorative Practices to ensure that the district is implementing a systemic approach to addressing students’ social-emotional needs at appropriate developmental stages.
Goal #4: English Learner (EL) Instruction
Marlborough Public Schools is committed to meeting the needs of the EL students in the district. We will incorporate into our instruction the 6 district EL strategies designed to improve comprehension of ELs and reflect on their impact on student growth and achievement.
DISTRICT IMPROVEMENT ACTION PLAN
Academic Achievement/Curriculum and Instruction
Goal: Marlborough Public Schools is committed to at least 60% of our students in each grade level (K-10) meeting or exceeding their projected growth target as measured by the 2023 spring NWEA assessments in both math and reading. (District Goal #1)
Action Steps
Person(s) Responsible
Resources / Funding
Timeline
Evaluation – Assessment
Sources of Evidence
Date
Completed
1.1 Increase teacher capacity for stronger Tier 1 instruction
- Continue to incorporate into our instruction the 6 district EL strategies designed to improve comprehension of ELs and reflect on their impact on student growth and achievement (District Goal #4)
- Implement new K-10 Tier I Literacy Program with consistency and fidelity
- Formally adopt the Curriculum Review Process and Annual Curriculum Review for Bias
- Continue curriculum map updates and embed EL strategies
Superintendent/ Assistant Superintendents/ Principals/District Leaders/Teachers
Professional Development
New Curriculum Adoption
EL Leadership/Staff
Reading Ways
2023-2025
NWEA/ACCESS/PSAT
Observations and walkthroughs as a source of evidence
1.2 Continue to provide a variety of academic interventions to address achievement gaps and monitor progress through data
and adjust instruction as necessary (Strategy 2.2, Entry finding)
- Create building-based data teams (K-10) that implement a common data cycle for NWEA and protocol to plan instruction using the data
- Create a district-wide list of interventions, per grade level, that are available to support students as needed
- Create a process where intervention materials are approved and added to the district list of purchased interventions for students
- Develop a common model for intervention offerings beyond the regular school day
- Identify building needs using data sources (NWEA, MCAS, benchmark assessments)
- Establish Criteria (pre/post assessment, progress monitoring tools)
- Create Action Steps (hire, staff, determine duration/frequency, parent/guardian permission, funding)
- Create a formal protocol for progress monitoring and criteria for proficiency
Superintendent/
Assistant Superintendents/
Principals
District and School Budgets, Grants
2023-2026
School schedules, Formal Intervention protocols and approved list of interventions
1.3 Develop and implement a K-12 plan to reduce student absence rate by 5% (Entry finding)
- Establish a team to create a PreK-12 plan to engage families and develop stronger school/family relationships (focus on transition grades and new arrivals)
- Prioritize outreach activities. This will include implementing strategies such as random phone calls to check in with families and creating video series for new families on importance of attendance
District Leadership Team/Teachers
N/A
2023-2025
EOY attendance data
Decreased chronic absentee rate
1.4 Explore opportunities and feasibility of a K-10 plan to offer after school enrichment opportunities for students (Entry Finding)
- Create K-10 Planning Committee
- Identify funding sources
Superintendent/
Assistant Superintendents/ Principals/Teachers
District and school budgets, Potentail PTO Support
2023-2026
Enrichment Offerings
DISTRICT IMPROVEMENT ACTION PLAN
Professional Development
Goal: Marlborough Public Schools is committed to providing all educators a variety of professional development opportunities. Professional Development occurs in a variety of settings and is connected to district goals and the MPS Strategy for Improvement (District Goals 1-4)
Action Steps
Person(s) Responsible
Resources / Funding
Timeline
Evaluation – Assessment
Sources of Evidence
Date of
Completion
2.1 Marlborough Public Schools will provide a variety of professional development to all staff to support the district’s focus on Anti-Bias and Anti-Racism (District goal #2, strategy 3.3)
Superintendent/ Assistant Superintendents/
Supervisors/PD Committee
District PD Budget/Grants
2023-2026
Mini Courses
MPS PD Catalog
TeachPoint Registrations/PDPs
2.2 Marlborough Public Schools will provide a variety of professional development to all staff to support SEI strategies (District Goal #4)
- Continuation of trainings during staff meetings, PD Days, Department and PLC Meetings (embedded in reteaching), school READs
Superintendent/ Assistant Superintendents/
Supervisors/PD Committee
District PD Budget/Grants
2023-2026
MPS PD Catalog
Mini Courses
TeachPoint Registrations/PDPs
2.3 Marlborough Public Schools will continue to provide Tier I, II, and III restorative practices training (Strategy 3.2, Entry finding)
- Provide Coaching to Schools to implement
Superintendent/ Assistant Superintendents/
Supervisors/PD Committee
District PD Budget/Grants
2023-2026
MPS PD Catalog
TeachPoint Registrations/PDPs
Mini Courses
2.4 Marlborough Public Schools will provide staff a variety of professional development to support content instruction (District goal #1, Entry Finding, Strategy 2.1, 2.2. and 2.3)
- Continue targeted PD for specialized staff (sped, EL, reading/math interventionists)
Superintendent/ Assistant Superintendents
District PD Budget/Grants
2023-2026
MPS PD Catalog
Mini Courses
TeachPoint Registrations/PDPs
2.5 Marlborough Public Schools will provide staff a variety of professional development to all staff to support class management and trauma sensitive training (4.3)
Superintendent/ Assistant Superintendents/
Supervisors/ Building Leaders/PD Committee
District PD Budget/Grants/
School Budgets
2023-2026
MPS PD Catalog
Mini Courses
TeachPoint Registrations/PDPs
2.6 Marlborough Public Schools will continue to provide professional development through a variety of methods (MPS PD Plan)
- PLC
- Mini courses
- Professional Development Days
- Extended staff meetings
- Early Release Days
Superintendent/ Assistant Superintendents/
Supervisors/ Building Leaders/PD Committee
District PD Budget/Grants/
School Budgets
2023-2026
PLC Schedules
Mini Courses
PD Catalogs
Agendas
DISTRICT IMPROVEMENT ACTION PLAN
District and School Climate
Goal: Marlborough Public Schools is committed to creating an environment where all students and staff are valued and respected.
Action Steps
Person(s) Responsible
Resources / Funding
Timeline
Evaluation – Assessment
Sources of Evidence
Date of
Completion
3.1 We will improve our understanding of the impact of bias and racism in our classrooms/schools/district as we examine our educational systems, structures, and culture and make changes as needed to ensure equity. (Strategy 3.3, Goal #2)
- Implement Curriculum Review for Bias (1.1)
- Revise Panorama surveys for specific feedback
- Review student enrollment data in MHS advance classes
- Review Graduation and drop out data and develop/edit action plans to identify and support at risk students
All stakeholders
District PD budget
2023-2026
Panorama Surveys
Staff Surveys
3.2 Implement restorative practices as a strategy to support a vibrant learning environment (strategy 3.2)
- Continue Tier I, II, and II trainings
- Continue to train all new MEA members in tier I restorative practices
- Expand our use of restorative practices in school and district structures (establish team to set benchmarks to measure success)
Superintendent/District Leaders/School Leaders/All Educators
District PD Budget
2023-2026
Walk throughs and supervision & evaluation
3.3 Develop and adopt practices that allow for all students and staff to feel a sense of belonging and acceptance of their personal identity in their schools and district
- Develop a district-wide protocol for schools to review survey feedback (staff and student) and develop an action plan to improve climate and culture
Superintendent/District Leadership Team/Lead Teachers
District PD Budget
2023-2026
Action Plan
DISTRICT IMPROVEMENT ACTION PLAN
Safety and Discipline
Goal: The district will create a plan that identifies staffing, resources, policies, procedures, and facilities to address inappropriate school behavior, as defined by the district/school leadership team. The team recognizes and will plan for both discipline-based behaviors and trauma-based behaviors, and will develop systems to identify and respond appropriately (Entry Finding)
Action Steps
Person(s) Responsible
Resources / Funding
Timeline
Evaluation – Assessment
Sources of Evidence
Date of
Completion
4.1 Marlborough Public Schools will explore transitional spaces and alternatives to suspensions
A. Elementary level-reduce use of time out rooms
B. Explore Restorative Spaces
C. Explore increased use of the Hildreth building for alternative programs for special education & excluded students
D. Use DESE guidance to develop other options to suspension
Superintendent /SEL Supervisor/Building Admins/District Leaders
District Budget
2023-2026
Identify need and long-term plan
4.2 Marlborough Public Schools Leadership Team will develop a developmentally aligned definition of “major” and “minor” discipline infractions and a menu of responses
- Create a district-wide PBIS Team
District Leadership Team
NA
June 2023-August 2023
Fall 2023 staff training
4.3 Explore interventions to support classroom instruction and prevent classroom disruptions
- Provide prevention and de-escalation strategies to educators (Day 1 of Safety Care)
- Evaluate school level PBIS systems
- Priority of interventions for Tier 2 & 3
- Provide General Classroom Management PD to educators
- Provide Trauma Sensitive Training for staff
SEL Supervisor/Steering Committee
School and district budgets
2023-2026
Interventions and PD
4.4 Recruit and hire a Supervisor of SEL (Entry Finding, Strategy 2.1, 2.2)
- Create and lead SEL Steering Committee
- Attend year-long Restorative Practices Trainer Program
- Identify FY25 priorities
Superintendent/District Leadership Team/ SEL Supervisor
District Budget
2023-2024
Supervisor of SEL Appointed
- Agendas
- Complete Training
- FY25 Priorities
4.5 MPS will pilot and then implement a PreK-12 SEL Screener and data collection system (including progress monitoring)
- Research and identify a screener/data collection tool-FY24
- Pilot identified screener/data collection tool-FY25
- Implement screener/data collection tool-FY26
Superintendent/SEL Supervisor/Building Administrators/District Leaders
District Budget/Grants
2023-2026
Data tool identified
Complete SEL data pilot
Screener
Progress Monitor
Decrease in out of district referrals
4.6 Offer multilingual students counseling in their home language to learn MPS school expectations and address transition trauma.
- Post vacant SAC positions with “Bilingual” in job title
- Increase recruitment of Bilingual SAC interns
Superintendent /SEL Supervisor
School Budgets
2023-2026
Contracts
Bilingual SACs as new hires
DISTRICT IMPROVEMENT ACTION PLAN
Parent and Community Support
Goal: Marlborough Public Schools will strengthen relationships and expand services in our community (Strategy 3.1)
Action Steps
Person(s) Responsible
Resources / Funding
Timeline
Evaluation – Assessment
Sources of Evidence
Date of
Completion
5.1 Implement a plan for a preK-12 parent/teacher communication tool (this plan will focus on a consistent parent/teacher platform) (strategy 3.1)
- TalkingPoints rollout
Superintendent/ District Leadership Team/Director of Instructional Technology
End-of-year funds for 3 years
Pilot/
Research
2023
Active:
2024-2027
Completed plan in place
Evaluation of program with all stakeholders
Ongoing
Fund via the budget beginning in FY27
5.2 Develop a comprehensive plan to expand Family and Community Liaisons and communicate the plan to all stakeholders (strategy 3.1)
- Establish a long-term vision and goal for family liaisons
- Create a multi-year staffing plan
- Communicate the vision and staffing plan
Superintendent /District Leadership Team/Identified Supervisor
Budget
2023-2026
2023-2024
2023-2024
2023-2024
2025-2026
Published Plan
5.3 Develop a systematic way for the schools and districts to partner with current family liaisons (strategy 3.1)
- Focus on communication for district-wide events
- Identify a Coordinator for the liaisons (staffing plan)
Superintendent /District Leadership Team/Identified Supervisor
Grants
2023-2026
2023-2024
2023-2024
2023-2024
2025-2026
Published Plan
5.3 Develop a formal district communication plan with all stakeholders (3.1)
- Communicate availability of Portuguese/Spanish call center
- Evaluate and redesign district website/App
- Create and publish a district-wide calendar
- Establish a process to host meetings within the community
Superintendent /District Leadership Team
Operating budget
2023-2026
2023-2024
2023-2024
2023-2024
2024-2025
Published Plan
New website published
Meetings within the community
