Mission Statement

We, the members of the Branford Public School community, are committed to developing life-long learners who are capable and confident, who contribute to their community, and who succeed in a changing global society.

Institutional Priorities

In order to achieve this mission, the faculty and administration of the Branford Public Schools join with parents and members of the community,

• to foster continuous growth toward excellence in each student, class and school
• to enhance community understanding and appreciation of the schools
• to enhance the schools' effectiveness in responding to the increased demand to serve an expanded role in student and community life
• to increase management efficiency and effectiveness
• to promote growth opportunities for staff which will enable them to experience continuous improvement
• to develop and maintain facilities which meet growing and changing educational and community needs
• to broaden the use of advanced technologies which support continuous improvement of the educational process
• to develop in each student an understanding of, and ability to function in, a multi-cultural, interdependent world.

BPS Strategic Goals

1. Branford Public School students will demonstrate proficiency in the 21^st Century skills needed to be successful in an information-based, technology driven, global society. Goal 1 Document
   
   
2. The Branford Public Schools will ensure that all students are successful by building consistent and coherent Pre-K to 12 processes for curriculum development and implementation, assessment of student learning, uniform data collection and analysis, and program and personnel evaluation. Goal 2 Document
   
   
3. The Branford Public Schools will continuously improve communication through interaction, involvement, and engagement with all key stakeholders in order to enhance the success of every student. Goal 3 Document

Planning for Change - Indicators of Success

Strategic Plan Rubric
2006-2009 Success Indicators Year One Evaluation

Goal One: 21^st Century Skills

Branford Public School students will demonstrate proficiency in the 21st Century skills needed to be successful in an information-based, technology driven, global society.

Component A: System level curriculum emphasizes core subjects and is aligned with 21^st Century skills.

Component B: Learning skills emphasized through student demonstration of proficiency at all levels.

Component C: Use 21^st Century tools to develop learning skills.

Component D: Teach and learn in the 21st Century context.

Goal Two: Consistent & Coherent Processes

The Branford Public Schools will ensure that all students are successful by building consistent and coherent Pre-K to 12 processes for curriculum development and implementation, assessment of student learning, uniform data collection and analysis and program and personnel evaluation.

Component A: Curriculum development

Component B: Curriculum implementation

Component C: Assessment of student learning

Component D: Balanced and varied program of assessment tied directly to student learning

Component E: Program evaluation

Component F: Professional development and personnel evaluation

Goal Three: Communication

The Branford Public Schools will continuously improve communication through interaction, involvement, engagement with all key stake holders in order to enhance the success of every student.

Component A: Access and availability

Component B: Home and community participation and engagement

BPS Strategic Plan -- Putting the Goals in Context

Goal One: 21^st Century Skills

Branford Public School students will demonstrate proficiency in the 21st Century skills needed to be successful in an information-based, technology driven, global society.

This first goal was driven by the overwhelming evidence of a changed world. The trends were unmistakable, from the skills needed to succeed, the tools for learning that are being employed, the importance of building a love of life-long learning, and the world market and economy. The work-force of the future will need to be equipped with skills that match the demands of the future.  This reality requires those responsible for public schools to constantly rethink how these skills are identified, incorporated into curriculum, taught and assessed.

Goal Two: Consistent & Coherent Processes

Branford Public Schools will ensure that all students are successful by building consistent and coherent Pre-K to 12 processes for curriculum development and implementation, assessment of student learning, uniform data collection and analysis, and program and personnel evaluation.

Related to the first goal, this goal is based on the assumption that in order to respond to changes and needs, a public school system needs to be able to respond systemically to challenges and changes when they are needed.  While the data suggests that Branford has been a successful public school district, the rate and degree of change over the last decade and in the future will test all of Branford's existing systems to their limits and beyond. This goal calls for a comprehensive review of the four most important support systems for instruction (professional development, assessment, evaluation, and curriculum) to ensure that they are up to the challenge.

Goal Three: Communication

Branford Public Schools will continuously improve communication through interaction, involvement, and engagement with all key stakeholders in order to enhance the success of every student.

The data collection showed that without the support of the community, a public school system will have difficulty reaching its goals. It is for this reason that Branford will rededicate itself to finding new ways to communicate and engage with all of its constituencies.