Standards & Indicators for School Improvement

Last Updated on Thursday, October 30, 2008 at 5:01 AM

The Standards and Indicators for School Improvement define the elements of whole school improvement that schools can put into effect at the elementary, middle and high school levels in order to produce desired learning results.

The nine standards are organized within three sections - Academic Performance; Learning Environment; and Efficiency. The School Level Performance Descriptors and Glossary for Kentucky's Standards and Indicators for School Improvement provides indicators that support educators as they make decisions about how best to manage their schools.

Variance Points, are indicators determined by the most recent audit/review findings. These indicators are also defined as those indicators where results vary greatly from Level 3 schools to Successful schools.

Variance Points
The Kentucky Department of Education is required by KRS 158.6455 to conduct audits/reviews of schools that fail to meet their achievement goals for each biennium. The Scholastic Audit process uses the Standards and Indicators for School Improvement document as the measure of a school's preparedness for improvement. The variance points provide ... More

SISI Toolkit
The SISI toolkit provides resources and tools intentionally linked to the Standards and Indicators for School Improvement and focuses on high expectations for teaching and learning. The toolkit provides easy access to information including documents, books, and websites. Printed copies of the School and District Level Performance Descriptors for Kentucky's Standards ... More

Standard 1: Academic Performance - Curriculum
The school develops and implements a curriculum that is rigorous, intentional, and aligned to state and local standards. Performance Expectation: Recognize and encourage implementation of good instructional practices that motivate and increase student achievement. Indicators for this Standard:

Standard 2 - Academic Performance - Classroom Evaluation/ Assessment
The school uses multiple evaluation and assessment strategies to continuously monitor and modify instruction to meet student needs and support proficient student work. Performance Expectations:The school leader creates both a focused mission to improve student achievement and a vision of the elements of school, curriculum, and instructional practices that make higher ... More

Standard 3 - Academic Performance - Instruction
The school's instructional program actively engages all students by using effective, varied, and research-based practices to improve student academic performance. Performance Expectation:The school leader recognizes and encourages implementation of instructional practices that best motivate and increase student achievement. Indicators for this Standard:

Standard 4 - Learning Environment - School Culture
The school/district functions as an effective learning community and supports a climate conducive to performance excellence. Performance Expectations:The school leader sets high expectations for all students to learn higher-level content. Standards for this Indicator:

Standard 5 - Learning Environment - Student, Family & Community Support
The school/district works with families and community groups to remove barriers to learning in an effort to meet the intellectual, social, career and developmental needs of students. Performance Expectations:The school leader sets high expectations for all students to learn at higher-level content. The school leader keeps everyone informed and focused on ... More

Standard 6 - Learning Environment - Professional Growth, Development & Evaluation
The school/district provides research-based, results driven professional development opportunities for staff and implements performance evaluation procedures in order to improve teaching and learning. Performance Expectations:The school provides research-based, results driven professional development opportunities for staff and implements performance evaluation procedures in order to improve teaching and learning. Indicators for this Standard: ... More

Standard 7 - Efficiency - Leadership
School/district instructional decisions focus on support for teaching and learning, organizational direction, high performance expectations, creating a learning culture, developing leadership capacity. Performance Expectations:The school leader creates both a focused mission to improve student achievement and a vision of the elements of school, curriculum, assessment, and instructional practices that make higher ... More

Standard 8 - Efficiency - Organizational Structure & Resources
The school is organized to maximize use of all available resources to support high student and staff performance. Performance Expectations:The school leader acquires and uses resources wisely for the purpose of student achievement. The school leader uses and organizes time in innovative ways to meet the goals and objectives of school ... More

Standard 9 - Efficiency - Comprehensive & Effective Planning
The school/district develops, implements, and evaluates a comprehensive school improvement plan that communicates a clear purpose, direction, and action plan focused on teaching and learning. Performance Expectations:The school leader uses data to initiate and continue improvement in school and classroom practices and student achievement. Indicators for this Standard:

For more information contact:

Michael Vriesenga
500 Mero Street, 17th Floor CPT
Frankfort, KY 40601

Phone: (502) 564-2116

Michael.Vriesenga@education.ky.gov

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