CARE Model Planning Tool

Examining What We Do to Improve Our Schools Sandra Harris, Stacey Edmonson, Julie Combs

Tool 8.1 CARE Model: Planning Tool

Identify Concerns that must change (look to the future)

(Assign points to concerns from 1 to 3 in the order of the most important issues to consider.)

1. Students must take pride in their school and their work at school.

2. Faculty must look at each student based on their needs and not expect the students to bend to the teacher.

3. Administrators must support the teachers and foster collaboration throughout the campus.

Identify Affirmations that must be sustained (look to the present)

(Assign points to affirmations from 1 to 3 in the order of the most important issues to consider.)

1. Administration must continue to survey the students about their needs and concerns as they attend school.

2. Administration must continue to communicate the results of those surveys to the students and share the actions that will take place based on their voice on campus.

3. Teachers must continue to participate in the surveys as facilitators to gather the information from the students.

SMART Recommendations that must be implemented:

(Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, Timely)

(Assign points to recommendations from 1 to 3 in the order of the most important recommendations to implement.)

1.  Student’s top three concerns should be addressed, in some manner, to the student body by May 15^th so they know their voices have been heard.

2.  Student Council should continue to advocate on behalf of the student body by soliciting concerns and issues as well as things they would like to see continued and present those to administration at least once per month.

3.  Student’s should have a School Improvement Box that they can deposit their written concerns, issues, and commendations at will to foster an atmosphere of caring.

EVALUATE – Specifically and Often

(Identify the best ways to evaluate the implemented recommendations.)

1.  A school assembly to be held no later than May 15^th (after TAKS) by our principal to talk to the student body about the top three submitted concerns. This assembly will address what the issues are, what can be done to improve the concern, and when that improvement will be implemented.

2.  Student Council will maintain an academic calendar to track the issues presented to them, when the meeting with administration was held, when the resolution is expected, and when the resolution is completed. This will document the efficacy of the involvement as an advocate of the Student Council and the timeliness of actions for both the council and administration.

3.  An administrator will be responsible for collection of the School Improvement comments from the box on a designated day each week. The comments will be aired on the school announcements and open for comment by the student body for a period of three days. The comments will be considered and changes implemented as appropriate. These changes will be listed in the school newspaper, on the announcements and in the hall ways for the students to see how their voice can make a change.