In November 2010, Rocky View Schools’ leadership team, which is comprised of the Board of Trustees, Senior Executive, Directors, Principals and Assistant Principal, gathered for one day to review RVS current Three Year Plan with the eye to revise, delete or add to the numbers of goals and outcomes. The day was transformational! Not only did participants leave the meeting with more conviction that RVS’ 21st Century transformation was improving student success, collectively the group felt we had developed a framework that will move the jurisdiction from not only engaging learners, but enriching RVS learning environments too.
Provided below is the framework that will guide the efforts of Rocky View Schools over the next three years. You’ll hear alot about this framework from February 14 – April 12 as we embark on a community engagement initiative to develop strategies to accompany our goals and outcomes. We hope the direction of our jurisdiction inspires you, and deepens your knowledge and understanding of what we want for your children. Read through and share your comments!
Rocky View Schools 2011-2014 Goal and Outcome Statements:
Goal One: Learners have their individual needs met.
Outcomes:
1 Learners feel safe and valued within RVS’ learning community.
2. Learning is universally accessible.
3. Resources and programs ensure all learners succeed.
4. Parents and community partners play a purposeful and sustained role.
Goal One signifies the importance of drawing attention to identifying and meeting the individual learning interests, preferences and needs of learners. As outlined in Outcome 1, to be ready to learn, learners needs to feel safe, valued, and part of the learning community. Outcome 2 recognizes that there is significant diversity amongst learners and that this diversity is recognized and valued as an opportunity to strengthen our inclusive learning community. Therefore learning environments are designed to be universally accessible, where all students have equal opportunity to be successful. Outcome 3 brings focus to ensuring district resources and programming options are designed with this universal access in mind, and address the continuum of supports and services. Outcome 4 further draws attention to the fact that parents and community partners play an integral and purposeful role in the design of universally accessible learning in RVS.
Goal Two: Learners are self-directed, innovative, ecologically intelligent, & entrepreneurial.
Outcomes:
1. Learners direct and feel ownership for their learning.
2. Learners demonstrate 21st Century literacies.
3. Learners demonstrate global stewardship.
4. Learners flourish in a culture of excellence.
Goal Two focuses on building 21st Century competencies, whereby all stakeholders have an enduring understanding across disciplines. Outcome 1 speaks directly to ensuring learners become self-directed, whereby they take personal ownership of learning, leading to a higher state of engagement, independence, and interdependence. As coined by the Metiri Group, Outcome 2 speaks to building 21st Century literacies, which include, but are not exclusive to: Basic literacy, Scientific literacy, Economic literacy, Technological literacy, Visual literacy, Information literacy, Multicultural literacy, and Global awareness. Outcome 3 points to the importance of global stewardship, which embodies the foundations of environmental education, global education, outdoor education, and civic involvement. It involves engaging people from a level of awareness to a point of action. It relates to educating learners about a diverse, yet completely interdependent whole earth system for which all citizens share responsibility. Outcome 4 sets a standard where all learners flourish in our learning environments – as Collins says to move from ‘Good to Great’.
Goal Three: Instructional design challenges and engages each learner.
Outcomes:
1. Learning occurs any time, any place, any path, any pace.
2. Instructional design engages each learner.
3. Instruction focuses on trans-disciplinary, authentic learning experiences.
4. Instructional practices accelerate learning.
Goal Three speaks to the importance of instructional design and practice. Outcome 1 defines that RVS will provide multiple learning pathways, empowering all learners regardless of where and when learning transpires. Outcome 2 highlights the need to purposefully design instruction that incorporates the tenets of RVS’s Learning Model so that all learners are engaged through a variety of strategies, settings, and formats. Outcome 3 requires that instructional design and practice transcends the classroom and encompasses 21st C competencies, enabling learning to be authentic, in-depth, and in an area of student interest. Outcome 4 is designed to inspire learners to go beyond the learning environment to construct and deepen their knowledge and understanding.
Goal Four: Learning environments enable the acquisition of 21st Century competencies.
Outcomes:
1. Learners use personal and emerging technologies to enhance learning.
2. Operational efficiencies accelerate innovation, research, and organizational development.
3. Learning is generative, responsive, and multi-dimensional.
4. Leadership capacity is built across the jurisdiction.
Goal Four pertains to the physical environment, infrastructure, and culture in RVS. Its purpose is to draw attention to the learning environments where we lead, work, learn, enhance learning, and maximize the efficient use of time and resources. Through Outcome 1 we envision a jurisdiction where learning and operational technologies are integrated, accessible through a wide range of devices, and provide real-time historical feedback and data to users. As expressed in Outcome 2, once achieved, these will optimise the collection and value of information to support personal and organizational improvements and efficiency. Outcome 3 focuses on the manner and nature of learning for all stakeholders in RVS. Its purpose is to ensure we continue to build a culture that learns, unlearns and relearns. Outcome 4 brings focus to the critical nature of 21st Century transformational leadership of all learners – students, staff, parents and the community.
Join in the discussion. Learning more about Rocky View Schools at: www.rockyview.ab.ca
