skip to: page content | links on this page | site navigation | footer (site information)

 

Schools of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany

 

Strategic Plan 2007-2008

Centered in Faith … Focused on the Future
Strategic Plan for the Schools of the
Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany, New York
2007-2010

Strategic Goal 1: CATHOLIC IDENTITY

The Catholic identity is foundational to the mission of the Catholic schools within the Diocese of Albany.  Gospel values form the essential elements to the curriculum and are integrated into the total curriculum of the school.  Scripture, official teachings and the Catechism are the basis of religious instruction within the school.

Strategic Objectives

  1. The Catholic School Office and the Diocesan School Board, in collaboration with the schools, will establish guidelines for the Catholic identity of the schools.
  2. The schools will work closely with the Catholic School Office to ensure that there is a faith formation day for teachers each year.
  3. All classroom teachers will have a solid foundation of the Catholic identity of the schools.  All teachers of religion will have a solid understanding of the content for the particular grade level.  At least two hours of professional development related to the faith formation of the teacher is required on a yearly basis.
  4. The Diocesan School Board and Superintendent of Schools will work closely with the Bishop to ensure the continued support of the schools through the Called to BE Church pastoral planning process.
  5. All schools will continue to gather the school community for prayer and celebration of the sacraments.  Parish or regional schools will seek opportunities to have liturgical celebrations with the parish community.
  6. Schools will continue to emphasize living our faith through social justice and service projects for the entire school community.  The Diocesan School Board will model these efforts with a yearly service project.

Strategic Goal 2:  EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM

The schools of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany are accountable for developing strong, effective and well-prepared leaders of the future.  Our goal is to graduate academically talented students who are prepared to participate productively and meaningfully as contributing members of a global community.

Strategic Objectives

  1. The Catholic School Office will work with the schools to provide access to programs and practices that are proven to increase student achievement and desired learner outcomes.  As Professional Learning Communities we will explore outstanding, research-based curricula to be implemented in the classrooms.
  2. The focus in all the schools will be to continue fostering the development of the whole child, nurturing students’ development spiritually, socially, emotionally and physically.
  3. The Catholic schools will maintain class size appropriate for the age level, maintaining the established average class size of 20.
  4. Recognizing the importance of increased achievement and the necessity of appropriate time on task, the schools will increase the time students spend in enriching educational experiences in order to meet the New York State Standards.

Strategic Goal 3: ENROLLMENT

In fulfillment of the Mission Statement for Catholic schools, every effort will be made to provide pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade Catholic education in all areas of the diocese where there is sufficient population to support a Catholic school.  Specific efforts will be maintained to recruit and retain students within the Catholic schools.

Strategic Objectives

  1. Schools will continue their efforts to enroll students of cultural and racial diversity, reflective of the population of the diocese.
  2. The Diocesan School Board will encourage schools to regularly conduct parent satisfaction surveys and exit interviews in order to meet the needs of the emerging market.
  3. Recognizing the success of some schools in the recruitment and retention of students, the Catholic School Office will invite school boards and parent groups to meet to discuss best practices. 
  4. As part of the Pastoral Planning Process, the Diocesan School Board will encourage pastors and parish life directors to continue supportive efforts for Catholic education.  Schools will be encouraged to continue finding ways to be supportive of parish activities, integrating students and their families into the life of the local parish.
  5. Building on the importance of the local community and the contributions of the Catholic schools to the greater good, schools are encouraged to reach out to local businesses and invite their partnership to support the mission of Catholic education.
  6. As the Pastoral Planning process continues, the Diocesan School Board will continue to evaluate future needs and programs to serve the people of the diocese.

Strategic Goal 4: FACULTY AND STAFF

The faculty and staff will continue to be role models for the students within the school community by providing witness to the Gospel through their lives and through the development of a faith community.  The schools will hire and retain faculty and staff committed to on-going professional growth and life-long learning with all teachers having NYS certification by 2010.  Social justice dictates that faculty and staff will receive just compensation for their services.

Strategic Objectives

  1. To ensure faith formation of teachers within Catholic schools, all teachers will have basic certification as catechists and, on a yearly basis, participate in ongoing faith formation.  The Catholic School Office will evaluate and develop a plan to incorporate faith formation into the professional development requirements.
  2. In order to attract and retain certified and professional teachers, the Diocesan School Board will revise and publish the salary scale for administrators and teachers every three years.  The mandatory salary scale will be more closely monitored in order to ensure a just wage at all Catholic schools.  In addition, the Diocesan School Board will take an in-depth look at the fringe benefit package offered to faculty and staff in order to meet the needs of employees that are not met by a higher salary.
  3. All teachers and administrators will continue to be required to complete a minimum of 17 hours of professional development each year, two of which will be in the area of faith formation or catechist certification.  Throughout the year, the Catholic School Office will continue to provide professional growth opportunities for all teachers which will be published on the website, www.rcdaschools.org.  The Catholic School Office will improve the new teacher mentoring program and provide a supportive structure to help teachers share ideas and practices.

 

Strategic Goal 5: LEADERSHIP

Leadership for the Catholic schools in the Diocese of Albany is critical for the future.  Administrators within the schools, leadership in the parish and the local school board assume a critical role for the success of the school.  These leaders must have a vision of excellence for Catholic education.  The Catholic School Office will provide spiritual, educational and managerial leadership for the administration and boards of the parish, regional and diocesan schools.

Strategic Objectives

  1. Each school will have an active, involved and effective local school board that receives guidance and support from the Diocesan School Board.  The Catholic School Office will provide orientation for new board members, at the parish/regional schools and at the high schools.  The Superintendent will meet at least once a year with each high school board to ensure that the board of limited jurisdiction is effective.
  2. Each school will have a current strategic plan with appropriate action steps, developed through an appointed leadership team.  The local school board will monitor and oversee the implementation of the plan.
  3. The Catholic School Office will identify and support the development of future leaders for the Diocesan schools and will support ongoing professional and spiritual development for new and experienced leaders.
  4. The Diocesan School Board will provide opportunities for Pastors and Parish Life Directors to have meaningful and productive involvement in local parish/regional schools and in the broader ministry of Catholic School education throughout the diocese.

Strategic Goal 6:  RESOURCES

Recognizing needed resources to maintain academic excellence and to continue to serve the families in the diocese, the schools must be financially viable institutions with facilities appropriate to the educational program. 

Strategic Objectives

  1. As part of the strategic plans for schools, all schools will place a priority on the development of financial and facilities plans.
  2. The Catholic School Office will continue to enhance the development efforts at the diocesan level and provide support for development   programs within the schools.
  3. Recognizing that tuition does not cover the cost per pupil, the Catholic School Office will work with the schools to educate parents and guardians as to the financing of Catholic education.  Awareness information will include cost per student, parish/diocesan support and understanding of various revenue streams.
  4. The Finance Committee of the Diocesan School Board will continue to work with the schools in the development of realistic budgets and good stewardship of the resources.
  5. The Diocesan School Board will support continued efforts within the schools to institute and enhance development programs.  This includes exploring grant opportunities for specific programs as well as other activities related to development.
  6. The Finance Committee of the Diocesan School Board, in collaboration with the diocesan high school boards, will evaluate and revise, if necessary, the formula for the financial support of the diocesan high schools.