Blueprint 2013-14 Archive

BLUEPRINT FOR EDUCATIONAL EXCELLENCE AND INNOVATION VIDEO

Blueprint Final

LCAP Final

Click on the Blueprint brochure above to see an example of a service learning project Vista students created and published in partnership with TVK Designs, a business in the community.

Continuous Improvement

The Vista Unified School District is committed to continuous improvement in every aspect of the organization from promoting high levels of students achievement, to maintaining safe and secure facilities, to promoting active partnerships with local businesses, to securing access to university admission for all high school graduates.

Continuous improvement requires on-going strategic planning. The Vista Unified SchoolDistrict completed a year long process of developing a Framework for the Future intended to ensure that students at all grade levels have access to, and are actively engaged in, a learning path that will lead to a seamless transition into successful college and career opportunities. The development of the Framework for the Future started in September 2012 and included parents, community members, teachers, staff, and students. This Framework outlines the foundational principles that will guide the development and implementation of the district's Blueprint for Education Excellence and Innovation. All subsequent district plans, systems, policies, and procedures will be carefully aligned to the principles outlined in the Framework for the Future.

The Framework for the Future establishes the anchor points that serve as the foundation for teaching and learning, and other support systems within the school district. The first anchor point is setting a clear vision for the future, providing a sense of direction of where we want to go and what we want to become as school district. The second anchor point is the establishment of amission that serves to define the overall purpose of the district, outlining specific language of why we exist. The third anchor point is the commitment to a set of values that all members of the school district (parents, students, teachers, and staff) will follow in order to ensure that all learning environments support the positive academic and behavioral growth of all students. The fourth anchor point is establishing a set of beliefs that convert the values to convictions, describing the character of the district as a living organization. The fifth anchor point is establishing strategicparameters that will keep the district focused and efficient, serving as the formula that will lead the district to actualize the vision of becoming The Model for Educational Excellence and Innovation.

FRAMEWORK FOR THE FUTURE

Vision

Our vision in Vista Unified is to be the model of educational excellence and innovation.

Mission

The purpose of Vista Unified School District is to inspire every student to persevere as a critical thinker who collaborates to solve real world problems.

Values

RESPECT: treating all with dignity
TRUST: having confidence that every decision focuses on the best interests of all students
COLLABORATION: working in a collective partnership with clear two-way dialogue that builds relationships among home, school and the community

Beliefs

We believe that…

All students have a unique capacity to learn.
Risk taking, effort and perseverance lead to excellence and innovation.
Individuals learn and work best in a safe, nurturing environment.

Strategic Parameters

We will always…

Promote servant leadership qualities in our students, staff, and administration.
Provide all stakeholders access to transparent information to promote two-way dialogue.
Include family and community members as partners in education.

We will never…

Give up on a student.
Stop learning and improving.
Tolerate disrespectful attitudes or treatment towards others.

DISTRICT GOAL SETTING

In order for the district to make progress toward the vision, and fully implement the mission, Superintendent Vodicka worked with the School Board Members to set overarching goals that encompass all programs and support systems for students including achievement, language acquisition, service learning, and school attendance, and climate. These goals are closely aligned to the California State Board of Education priorities for the development of the Local Control Accountability Plan (LCAP). While all of the goals are important, They were developed in tiers of priority. The highest priority is to ensure that all students have proficiency in English language arts, mathematics, and English language development (Goal 1). The next level of priorities focus on improving graduation rates with students actively engaged in A-G completion and service learning projects (Goals 2 and 3). The final level of priority includes a variety of goals that will promote a robust set of experiences in Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics (STEAM), as well as, improved learning environments that engage students as stewards of they own learning. Each goal has a specific metric (or metrics) identified to continuously monitor progress toward achieving the goal over time.

VISTA UNIFIED SCHOOL BOARD GOALS - REVISED

Goal 1: We want our students to demonstrate high levels of literacy in English (reading, writing, and listening & speaking)

Metric A: ELA Proficiency Rate

Metric B: Reclassification Rate at Five Years

Goal 2: We want our students to have expertise in mathematics.

Metric: Math Proficiency Rate

Goal 3: Our Students will graduate from high school ready for college and career.

Metric A: Graduation Rate

Metric B: A-G Completion Rate

Metric C: Advanced Placement Completion Rate

Goal 4: Experience with service learning will help students to solve real world problems.

Metric: Service Learning Participation Rate

Goal 5: Our students and staff will model our values or respect, trust, and collaboration.

Metric: Survey Results

Goal 6: Our learning materials, teacher assignments, and facilities will promote excellence.

Metric: Williams Compliance Report

Goal 7: More students will be proficient in aspects of "STEAM" (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics )

Metric A: Science Proficiency Rate

Metric B: Technology Proficiency Rate

Metric C: Engineering Proficiency Rate

Metric D: Visual and Performing Arts Participation Rate

Goal 8: Our students will attend school more often and improve in their behavior.

Metric A: Attendance Rate

Metric B: Suspension Rate

Metric C: Expulsion Rate

Goal 9: Our reputation for excellence and innovation will attract and retain students.

Metric: Interdistrict Transfer

STRATEGIC PLANNING

With a clear vision for the future, a clearly defined Graduation mission as an organization, values that promote a positive, student centered environment, and goals for what we expect students to achieve, the district embarked on a year-long strategic planning process culminate with the development of the Blueprint for Educational Excellence and Innovation. The word blueprint is defined as "a detailed plan or program of action" (Miriam Webster, 2012). The Vista Unified School District's Blueprint for Education Excellence and Innovation was designed to provide a plan of action for how the daily educational environment will support students to access the California Common Core State Standards and demonstrate attainment of the School Board Goals. Ultimately, greater levels of student access to the standards and engagement in meaningful, personalized learning environments will lead the district towards realizing the vision of becoming the model of educational excellence and innovation. This planning process led to the strategic parameters that define what the organization will do in a specific, methodical, and consistent way to promote high quality teaching and learning. In other words, the strategic planning process focused on identifying the key actions, tasks, and projects necessary to realize the Vision, Mission, Values, and Goals. The development of the Blueprint actively engaged all stakeholders (students, parents, teachers, and staff) in a series of community forums have been held to inform and gather input about how to ensure that Vista Unified becomes the model for educational excellence and innovation. All of the feedback gathered from more than 50 community forums, as well as feedback gathered from on-line surveys, was utilized during the strategic planning process.

elementary-students-computer-laptop The strategic planning process was labor intensive because it required the careful review and alignment of a variety of current district plans such as the Local Education Agency Plan, the School Safety Plans, the Technology Plan, the Special Education Strategic Plan, the Master Plan for English Learners, and others. The process also carefully identified who would be involved in each task and/or project, what structure would need to be in place to ensure success, how each task and/or project would be monitored, what risks were involved, and what timelines would need to be established to keep track of progress.

A parallel project that was developed along side the Blueprint was the Local Control Accountability Plan (LCAP). The LCAP is a component of the Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF). Each school district and charter school is required to develop an LCAP to identify goals and actions the district will take to ensure that students have access to the California Common Core State Standards and demonstrate high levels of achievement on a variety of state and local assessments. The information for developing the LCAP was taken directly from the Blueprint for Educational Excellence and Innovation. Please visit the Local Control Funding Formula and the Local Control Accountability Plan webpages for more information.

PROJECT LEAD

Matt Doyle , Ed.D.

Executive Director

Vista Unified School District

Para ver el video en español, por favor haga clic AQUÍ .

LCAP WATCH WEBSITE PUBLISHED

The Education Trust- West organization has developed a robust website called LCAP Watchto monitor the Local Control Accountability Plans for all school districts in California. ClickHERE to vist the website and Vista Unified has published the LCAP to this website

DELAC, DPAC AND LCFF COMMITTEE FEEDBACK AND SUPERINTENDENT RESPONSE

Click HERE (español) to view feedback provided by the District Parent Advisory Committee (DPAC), the District English Language Advisory Committee (DELAC), and the LCFF Advisory Committee. This document also provides an individualized response from the Superintendent to each of the points of feedback and questions from each committee.

BLUEPRINT FAST FACTS

The Blueprint and Local Control Accountability Plan (LCAP) development process involved many people and numerous documents. Please find below a series of "Fast Facts" documents that summarize the key aspects of the process.

Blueprint Fast Facts (español)

Blueprint Big Picture (español)

Community Forum Fast Facts

Student Achievement Fast Facts

Local Control Funding Fast Facts

Blueprint Goals and Metrics

Glossary of Terms

SCHOOL BOARD UPDATES ON BLUEPRINT DEVELOPMENT PROCESS

Click HERE to view the July 24, 2014 School Board update on the Blueprint implementation.

Click HERE to view the June 26, 2014 Blueprint Public Meeting Presentation. Español

Click HERE to view the June 26, 2014 LCAP Public Meeting Presentation. Español

Click HERE to view the June 12, 2014 LCAP Public Hearning Presentation. Español

Click HERE to view the May 15, 2014 School Board update on the Blueprint development process.

Click HERE to view the March 13, 2014 School Board update on the Blueprint development process.

Click HERE to view the February 20, 2014 School Board update on the Blueprint development process.

Click HERE to view the January 16, 2014 Blueprint update.

Click HERE to view the December 12, 2013 Blueprint update.

BLUEPRINT AND LCAP DEVELOPMENT UPDATE

May 12, 2014

This is an update regarding the development of the Vista Unified "Blueprint for Educational Excellence and Innovation' and alignment to the Local Control Accountability Plan (LCAP).

The Vista Unified School District's Blueprint for Education Excellence and Innovation will provide a plan of action for how Vista will become the model for educational excellence and innovation. The Blueprint defines how the daily educational environment will support students to access the California Common Core State Standards and demonstrate attainment of the School Board Goals. The strategies and action plans within the Blueprint will be implemented carefully and systematically over the course of three years. Each strategy will serve as a building block that will set a solid infrastructure to promote an innovative learning environment that places central importance on personalized learning.

Vista Unified has actively involved students, parents, teachers, staff, and administrators in the planning process. Our commitment to using a transparent, inclusive and collaborative process has led to incredible conversations about teaching and learning. Most importantly, the Blueprint development process has demonstrated that the Vista community can work in partnership to draft a Blueprint for Educational Excellence and Innovation that will inspire each and every student to persevere as a critical-thinking individual who collaborates to solve real-world problems.

Current Progress

The Blueprint for Educational Excellence and Innovation and the Local Control Accountability Plan (LCAP) have been completed in DRAFT form. This was the result of over 50 community forums involving over 600 students, parents, teachers, and staff. The Blueprint and LCAP were developed based on a review of student achievement, stakeholder feedback, and Local Control Funding Formula budget. Click HERE to access a series of "Fast Facts" documents that provide a quick view of the Blueprint and the strategic planning process.

Next Steps

A short informational video has been posted to the website to provide a brief overview of the Blueprint for Educational Excellence and Innovation. The Blueprint and the LCAP have been posted to the VUSD webpage for final community review and feedback. This review window will remain open until June 2, 2014. Click HERE to provide feedback on the DRAFT Blueprint and LCAP.

The DRAFT Blueprint and LCAP will be officially presented to the School Board of Trustees during a public meeting on June 12, 2014 in the city of Vista's Morris Vance Community Room at 7:00 p.m. located at 200 Civic Center Drive, Vista, California. The final Blueprint and LCAP will be presented to the School Board of Trustees for approval on June 26, 2014 in the same location.

Important Note: This Blueprint was designed to address the central components of the Local Control Accountability Plan (LCAP). The LCAP places primary focus on how supplemental and concentration state funding will be used to increase or improve services for students who are socio-economically disadvantaged, English learners, and/or foster youth. Click HERE to view the LCFF Budget analysis for Vista Unified.

BLUEPRINT FEEDBACK PROCESS IS NOW CLOSED

Community Involvement is a key component of the development of the Blueprint for Educational Excellence and Innovation and the Local Control Accountability Plan (LCAP). During the months of March and April 2014, district facilitators worked informally and formally with students, parents, staff, and community members to facilitate the writing of strategies, action plans and proposed budget allocations. During the month of May, the Blueprint and LCAP DRAFT versions were finalized and posted for public feedback.

We are not in Version #4 of the community feedback process. Please find below the final DRAFT of the Blueprint and LCAP documents. There are two versions of the Feedback Packets packet below. The community feedback window will remain open until June 2, 2014.

The Blueprint/LCAP feedback process is now closed. The Blueprint and LCAP will go through an annual revision process starting in late fall and ending in early spring. The School Board will review and approve revisions to the Blueprint and LCAP every June for the next school year.

To provide feedback, you may either print out the LCAP Feedback Form and send to the District Office (attention Dr. Doyle) or click HEREto provide feedback into an on-line survey.

Feedback Packet Version #4 - Posted May 12, 2014

Feedback Packet Version #3 - Posted on April 7, 2014

Feedback Forum Packet Version #2- Posted on March 10, 2014

DPAC AND DELAC FEEDBACK FORUMS

The information identified below will be used during the District Parent Advisory Committee (DPAC) and District English Learner Advisory Committee (DELAC) Feedback Forums held to review and provide feedback on the development of the Blueprint for Educational Excellence and Innovation and the Local Control Accountability Plan.

DELAC/DPAC Blueprint/LCAP Feedback Forum #2 - May 2014

DELAC/DPAC Blueprint/LCAP Feedback Forum #1 - April 2014

BP Development Process Update - April 7, 2014 (español)
BP Structure (español)
BP Concepts for Teaching and Learning (español)
LCAP Development Process (español)
VUSD Goals Aligned to LCAP Priorities (español)
BP Strategies and Action Plans (español)
BP Strategy 1 DRAFT (español)
BP Strategy 1 Budget DRAFT (español)
BP Strategy 5 DRAFT (español)
BP Strategy 5 Budget DRAFT
BP Strategy 6 DRAFT (español)
BP Strategy 6 Budget DRAFT
BP Feedback Form (español)
BP Budget Feedback Form (español)

DPAC Forum Dates

March 19, 2014

May 21, 2014

DELAC Forum Dates

April 7, 2014

April 28, 2014

May 19, 2014

LOCAL CONTROL ACCOUNTABILITY PLAN APPROVAL PROCESS

The California County Superintendents Educational Service Association (CCSESA) has developed a procedural manual for the review and approval of each district Local Control Accountability Plan (LCAP). Along with the procedural manual, CCSESA has also published an LCAP/Budget Approval Nexus flowchart that outlines the approval process. The approval process includes a careful examination of three criteria:

The Three Criteria for Approval:

Adherence to SBE Template
Sufficient Expenditures in Budget to Implement LCAP
Adherence to SBE Expenditure Regulations

COMMUNITY FORUM FEEDBACK REPORT

The Blueprint development process is coming into the final four weeks. Click HERE to check out highlights from the community feedback forums we have been hosting for the past two months.

ACHIEVEMENT FOR HIGH NEEDS STUDENTS GUIDE ACTION PLANNING

The development of the Blueprint for Educational Excellence and Innovation and the Local Control Accountability Plan (LCAP) must be based on a thorough analysis of the achievement results for students who are economically disadvantaged, English learners, and foster youth. This Environmental Scanprovides a detailed analysis of student academic and behavioral achievement in Vista Unified over three years. In addition to the Environmental Scan, the Education Trust-West organization has recently published aCalifornia District Report Card for Vista Unified. The results of both of these reports indicate that there is a significant need to improve or increase services for the high needs student populations in Vista Unified.

The Blueprint and LCAP development process places primary focus on how supplemental and concentration state funding will be used to increase or improve services for students who are socio-economically disadvantaged, English learners, and/or foster youth. Click HERE to view the LCFF Budget analysis for Vista Unified.

SCHOOL BOARD GOALS ALIGNED TO LCAP PRIORITIES

The Vista Unified School Board Goals have been recently updated. Click HERE to view the alignment of the School Board Goals to the LCAP priorities.

En español, por favor haga clic AQUÍ.

BLUEPRINT TWEETS

COMMUNICATION PLAN

Vista Unified is committed to maintaining high levels of communication with parents, students, teachers and staff as the district develops the Blueprint for Educational Excellence and Innovation and the Local Control Accountability Plan (LCAP). In addition to this webpage, the district will continue to provide opportunities for feedback through town hall style meetings, district staff updates, parent advisory committee updates, and Parent Teacher Association (PTA) updates. Please refer to the calendar below to review the various opportunities for parents, community members, and staff to become involved in the development of the Blueprint and the LCAP. The district will also utilize the automated telephone system (Blackboard Connect Ed) to send out periodic updates on the Blueprint and LCAP to all parents and staff. Parents, students, and staff members may also submit feedback or ask questions at any time by using the stakeholder feedback form at the bottom of this webpage.

SUPERINTENDENT'S OVERVIEW OF THE BLUEPRINT DEVELOPMENT PROCESS

Click HERE to view a ten minute over view of the Blueprint Development process narrated by Dr. Vodicka.

BLUEPRINT/LCAP DEVELOPMENT TIMELINE

Click HERE to access the Blueprint development timeline.

En español, por favor haga clic AQUÍ .

BLUEPRINT ALIGNMENT TO STATE LCAP PRIORITIES

Click HERE to see how the Vista Unified School Board Goals align to the Local Control Accountability Plan priorities.

BLUEPRINT AND LCAP STAKEHOLDER FEEDBACK RESULTS

Click HERE to view the latest results of the stakeholder feedback on the development of the Blueprint for Educational Excellence and Innovation and the LCAP.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS FOR BLUEPRINT AND LCAP

What is the Blueprint for Educational Excellence and Innovation?

The Blueprint is a plan of action that defines key aspects of the educational environment that are necessary for students to access the California Common Core State Standards and demonstrate attainment of the School Board Goals. On other words, the Blueprint for Educational Excellence and Innovation serves as the district's strategic plan for building learning environments and partnerships that culminate in students' preparation for success in college and career.

What is Local Control Funding Formula?

The Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF) is the new school funding system identified by the California legislature in Assembly Bill 97 (Chapter 47) that shifts greater control and flexibility to school districts and charter schools for how education funding is allocated to improve student achievement.

What is the Local Control Accountability Plan?

The Local Control Accountability Plan (LCAP) is the accountability component of the Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF). The LCAP is a three-year plan that outlines the actions the district or charter school will take to ensure that education funding is spent in a careful, focused manner for the purpose of improving achievement for all students; with specific emphasis on students who are faced with challenges such as poverty, English language acquisition, and/or foster care.

What does the "accountability" part of LCAP mean?

All school districts and charter schools will be accountable to the California Department of Education to demonstrate annual improvement in eight priority areas: Basic Necessities, Implementation of the Common Core State Standards in English language arts and mathematics, Parental Involvement, Student Achievement, Student Engagement, School Climate, Student Access to Courses, and Other Student Outcomes. Each school district or charter school needs to develop and approve goals that will ensure the eight priorities are a key component of the LCAP plan. Click HERE to access the LCAP Priorities and data to monitor accountability.

What is the difference between the Blueprint and the LCAP?

The Blueprint for Educational Excellence and Innovation defines the vision, mission, values, Goals, and Strategic Parameters of Vista Unified School District; setting the foundation upon which specific actions, projects, and programs can be developed based on student needs. In other words, the Blueprint defines who we are as a district. The LCAP is a state requirement that outlines specific actions that will take place, using state education funding from the LCFF, to ensure that student achievement improves annually based on eight priority areas for all student subgroups.

What are the student subgroups?

The state of California requires each school district and charter school to ensure that all students are successful academically and prepared for college and career. In order to ensure that minority student populations receive adequate support to continually improve academically, the California Department of Education requires all school districts and charter schools to report student achievement separated out into subgroups of the overall student population. There are twelve official subgroup populations identified by the state; however, districts need only track student achievement in the subgroups that are numerically significant (typically, 50 students or more who comprise 15% of the total student population).

Racial/Ethnic Subgroups

Black or African American
American Indian
Asian
Filipino
Hispanic or Latino
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander
White
Two or More Races

Other Subgroups

Socioeconomically disadvantaged students
English learners
Students with disabilities
Foster youth

Who needs to be involved in the development of the LCAP?

School districts must actively engage all stakeholder groups (parents, students, community members, local bargaining units, and staff) in providing feedback on the development of the action items and allocation of resources necessary to support all students to continually improve academically. The involvement of stakeholders can be accomplished through a a variety of methods such as town hall meetings, community forums, on-line surveys, advisory committee updates and feedback sessions, School Board meeting presentations, and website communications. All funding decisions with regard to the LCFF and the district budget need to be aligned to the one or more of the action items identified in the LCAP. Finally, all official district advisory committees have the opportunity to submit feedback. The Superintendent must respond to the feedback from each committee in writing prior to the LCAP being approved by the School Board of Education. Click HERE for more information about the LCAP development process.

What is the timeline for the development of the Blueprint and the LCAP?

The development of the Blueprint for Educational Excellence and Innovation began during the 2012-13 school year and is anticipated to be finalized by June 2014. The LCAP development process began in September 2013 and must be approved by the School Board no later than June 30, 2014. ClickHERE for a more detailed view of the Blueprint and LCAP development timeline.

Who should I contact if I have questions about the Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF)?

Donna Caperton is the Assistant Superintendent of Business Services for the Vista Unified School District. Click HERE to email Donna Caperton.

Who should I contact if I have questions about the Blueprint for Educational Excellence and Innovation or the LCAP?

Dr. Matthew Doyle is the Executive Director for the Vista Unified School District in charge of the Blueprint and LCAP development process. Click HERE to email Dr. Doyle.

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT FORUMS MASTER SCHEDULE

Click HERE to access a master schedule that outlines all of the different community input forums scheduled from 2012 to 2014.

En español, por favor haga clic AQUÍ .

LOCAL CONTROL FUNDING FORMULA (LCFF)

ClickHERE to access the LCFF webpage to learn more.

Click HERE to access the Superintendent's LCFF Advisory Committee information.

LOCAL CONTROL ACCOUNTABILITY PLAN (LCAP)

Click HERE to access the LCAP webpage to learn more.

ESPAÑOL

Para leer este sitio en español, por favor haga clic AQUI o haga clic en el botón llamado "traducción" en la parte inferior de la página.

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PROJECT LEAD