Long-range planning is essential for organizations to effectively transition into the future. ECRA Group’s strategic planning process offers school districts practical consultation in the areas of planning, documentation, implementation and monitoring. In the current environment, it is more important than ever to provide students the tools they need to emerge as academically competitive graduates and to do so in the most cost effective and efficient manner possible. The ECRA Strategic Planning Process aids school districts in meeting educational goals and providing students a high quality, sustainable education.

The ECRA strategic planning process is designed to identify the key areas that require reform, and create timely and efficient strategies and initiatives to address specific challenges. The process will help streamline programming; improve curriculum, instruction and student achievement; and assist in developing a vision for the future that will allow students to succeed in an increasingly competitive landscape.

Components of the Process

Components of the process are customized to fit your educational system’s needs and may include the following:

• Thorough review and analysis of prior organizational plans, past history and other archival data
• Affirmation or revision of the mission, vision, values and core beliefs of the organization
• Creation of a future vision for the organization
• A comprehensive curriculum audit based on input from teachers, administrators, staff and students, classroom observations and student achievement data analysis
• Gathering stakeholder perceptions of the organization (Board of Education, administrators, faculty, staff, parents, students, graduates, community members) through surveys and focus groups
• Developing a public quality dashboard and/or internal dashboard to track progress
• Other targeted services which may include various program evaluations, technology audit, assessment review, or administrative or organizational structure study

Reporting, Implementation and Monitoring

When the strategic planning process is complete, ECRA will present a complete Research Findings Report, along with the Strategic Plan document. The research findings are based on triangulated data from all components of the process, and provide the basis for the formulation of a strategic plan and implementation plan. The strategic plan will consist of well-developed and grounded findings, goals, and strategic initiatives that are aligned to the district’s vision. Collectively, the goals and initiatives will provide the district a clear direction and framework for future decision-making.

As part of an implementation plan, ECRA works with leaders to develop a specific set of initiatives, strategies, strategic metrics, tactics and execution indicators to ensure that the plan translates into action and results. The implementation plan will help ensure follow-through on the execution of strategies, and will give district leaders the data needed to continually monitor progress toward the realization of goals and initiatives articulated in the strategic plan.

To contact ECRA Group about how we can help you create or modify your strategic planning process, please click here.