The ABC's of
EXCELS PLUS

EXCELS PLUS is the strategic plan for school improvement and accreditation for the Omaha Public Schools. During a six-year process each school has the opportunity to:

 

· Set achievement goals and determine appropriate assessments
· Plan and use teaching strategies
· Analyze assessment results
· Identify students whose needs are not being met
· Adapt instruction
· Document student success

The A, B, C's of EXCELS PLUS provides basic information about the seven steps or phases that schools complete leading to the implementation of a School Improvement Plan. Two helpful links are featured on this Webpage: 1) select EXCELS PLUS Process for a one-page summary of the six-year cycle and 2) select the highlighted words or phrases on this Webpage to access definitions through the EXCELS PLUS Glossary. An overview of the EXCELS PLUS process, used by each school of the District, appears below.

The EXCELS PLUS Process

In the first phase of the process, an overview of EXCELS PLUS is provided for the students, staff, parents and community members who will significantly contribute to the development of the school's Strategic Plan. It is explained that EXCELS PLUS is designed to 1) improve student achievement, 2) promote a safe and secure learning environment and 3) meet Nebraska State Certification and North Central Association-Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement (NCA-CASI) requirements. The goals of EXCELS PLUS are closely aligned with the Aims of the Omaha Public Schools.

A School Planning/Implementation Council is selected to serve as an advisory committee for the EXCELS PLUS process. This council, comprised of staff, parents and community members, reflects the demographic makeup of the school community. The council meets once or twice a year.

A School Profile is developed to provide an overview or "big picture" of the school. The School Profile helps set the direction for the quality journey to improve student achievement. The data collected and analyzed serve as the baseline from which student progress and growth is to be determined.

In the next phase of the EXCELS PLUS process, schools develop a Mission Statement, a Vision Statement and learning goals. The Mission Statement, which can be modeled after the district's Mission Statement, expresses the core beliefs/values that the school has determined most important as a framework for the decision-making process. The Vision Statement describes what the school should look like and be like in 3 to 5 years. "Power" Goals and "Priority" Content Standards are used as the school's learning goals. Assessments are used to monitor the school's progress toward achieving their "Power" Goals and "Priority" Content Standards.

The Development of the School Improvement Plan is the next focus of the process. The plan is based on data collected in the School Profile, the "Power" Goals and "Priority" Content Standards. The plan serves as a long-term blueprint for improving student learning and assuring the safety and security of the learning environment. Using the resources of the OPS Research Division, schools can identify individual student's Approaches to Learning (ATL). This information helps staff select the Teaching Strategies, Strategy Adaptations and Strategy Extensions that will improve achievement.

The School Improvement Plan is implemented, or put into operation, during this stage. Assessments outlined in the plan are administered and progress toward achieving "Power" Goals and "Priority " Content Standards is evaluated. During the early phases of implementation an External Visitation Team consults with the school to provide technical assistance.

Based on the data and information gathered during the implementation phase, the plan is modified and updated in an effort to improve instruction for all students. Teaching Strategies are modified for low achieving learners and Strategy Extensions are identified for high achievers. School staff determine how teaching and learning can be improved through Staff Development. At the completion of the cycle, the External Visitation Team once again consults with each school. Once completed, the six-year EXCELS PLUS cycle starts over with improved student achievement as its continuing goal.

Annual Activities: Each year OPS schools participate in two important activities related to school accreditation: 1) the EXCELS PLUS Summer Workshop and 2) the State Reporting Process. Held during late July and early August, the Summer Workshop provides an opportunity for school leadership teams to analyze annual assessment data and adapt strategies for improvement. As part of the Reporting Process required by the State of Nebraska, schools annually submit a written report which includes student academic performance, school system demographics, school improvement goals and the progress toward achieving those goals.

URL: http://www.ops.org/excels/abccover.htm
Last updated: March 11, 2003
Contact: excels@ops.org