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Master Plan Goal 1:

Student achievement will increase in core curricular areas.

Master Plan Objective 1.1: Increase annually the percent of students in all ethnic, gender, and special needs groups attaining the satisfactory standard on each of the assessments in the MSPAP, the high school assessments, and the College Board Examinations (such as SAT and AP) by strengthening programs for students in pre-kindergarten through grade 12.

Strategy 1.1.1: Align all Prince George's County Public Schools' secondary curricula with State Core Learning Goals, related State curricular frameworks, and research-based best instructional practices.

Key Implementation Measures:

100 percent of all high school Scope and Sequence documents, curriculum guides, and instructional delivery will be aligned with the State Core Learning Goals.
Pacing materials and model lesson plans will be developed for both new and experienced teachers for 100 percent of the revised curriculum materials.
100 percent of all content areas will model through their curriculum materials those instructional practices proven most effective in promoting student mastery of articulated content and performance standards for that discipline.

Strategy 1.1.2: Ensure that all curriculum materials reflect appropriate accommodations for special populations (e.g., Special Education students, ESOL students, Talented and Gifted students, students working above and below grade level, and economically-disadvantaged students in order to ensure their success on the State High School Assessments.

Key Implementation Measures:

100 percent of all content areas will articulate within their core curriculum documents specific instructional modifications and accommodations appropriate for Special Education populations to ensure their mastery of Core Learning Goals standards.
100 percent of all Talented and Gifted programs, course offerings and sections, including Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate courses, will be reviewed to ensure that they are aligned, where appropriate, with State Core Learning Goal outcomes and reflect instructional practices that maximize students' achievement in these areas.
100 percent of all content areas will incorporate research-based best practices designed to address the unique needs of ESOL (English as a Second Language) students, supporting their mastery of Core Learning Goals standards.
100 percent of all content areas will incorporate instructional strategies and appropriate related support interventions to promote the success of economically-disadvantaged high school students in relationship to preparation for the State Core Learning Goals and High School Assessments.

Strategy 1.1.3: Develop and implement a comprehensive assessment, evaluation, and curriculum implementation system to ensure appropriate monitoring of high school students' progress relative to those performance standards articulated for grade-level subjects monitored by State High School Assessments.

Key Implementation Measures:

100 percent of all policies and procedures related to curriculum development and implementation will be reviewed and revised to ensure school-based and central office personnel's understanding of the curriculum development and implementation process.
Quarterly benchmark and end-of-course assessments in English, Social Studies, Science, and Mathematics will be fully operational in 100% of the courses aligned with State High School Assessments.
Scoring rubrics, rules, and keys will be available for use in scoring student task responses in 100% of those courses associated with the Core Learning Goals.
100 percent of all School Improvement Plans for high schools will actively integrate research-based instructional interventions associated with facilitating student success on the High School Assessments.

Strategy 1.1.4: Develop and implement a comprehensive professional development program designed to ensure that all secondary staff are fully knowledgeable about (1) State High School Assessments; (2) research-based best practices in instruction; and (3) strategies for monitoring student progress.

Key Implementation Measures:

Ongoing professional development will be available to 100 percent of all teachers working with Core Learning Goals subjects relative to the use of assessment tools associated with the State High School Assessments.
100% of all professional development activities and programs related to Core Learning Goals and High School Assessments will emphasize participants' direct application of techniques and strategies into their content areas.

Strategy 1.1.5: Institute appropriate organizational changes in all high schools to ensure that organizational climate, governance, and management support student success on the State High School Assessments.

Key Implementation Measures:

The school system will develop avenues for ensuring that a coherent, consistent testing schedule is fully operational, including organized end-of-year and mid-year testing; prototypes and field testing of viable options should begin during the 1999-2000 academic year.
A focused, seamless distribution of duties, role delineations, and management processes related to the preparation of students for the State High School Assessments will be evident across 100 percent of high school sites.
Although scheduling configurations will continue to vary across high schools, every effort will be made to promote compatibility among schedules used in 100% of all high school sites.

Strategy 1.1.6: Promote effective and sustained parent and community involvement in all phases of preparation for the implementation of the State High School Assessments.

Key Implementation Measures:

100 percent of all high schools will have State High School Assessment orientation and information outreach programs for parents and community members.
The school system will provide public information concerning the State High School Assessments and Core Learning goals via documents and electronic materials (including videotapes, Channel 12, and Internet resources).