Connecticut Vanguard Schools Initiative

• About the Initiative |
• Vanguard Rubric |
• Application Information |
• 2008 Vanguard Conference |

As part of Connecticut’s ongoing school improvement efforts, the Vanguard Schools Initiative is designed to build a statewide network of schools highlighting evidence-based practices and strategies. This is a collaborative project among the Connecticut State Department of Education (CSDE), the State Education Resource Center (SERC), and the Connecticut Business and Industry Association (CBIA), as well as various business partners.

The Vanguard Schools Initiative focuses on school reform efforts that have demonstrated success in overcoming the challenges associated with raising student achievement scores. Successful schools that serve as model school improvement sites are identified. Emphasis is on specific, effective school improvement strategies; the steps and choices that result in success; and practical, useful tools and services for school and district leadership teams.

Revised Vanguard Initiative Timeline

• January 8, 2008 - Information Meeting (option 1), Qualidigm Conference Room, 100 Roscommon Drive, Middletown, from 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

• January 17, 2008 - Information Meeting (option 2), Qualidigm Conference Room, 100 Roscommon Drive, Middletown, from 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

• January 21, 2008-  Intent to Apply forms are due to SERC

• February 5, 2008- Completed Vanguard School Applications are due to SERC

• February 28&29, 2008– Application Scoring

• April 1, 2008  - 2nd Annual Statewide Vanguard Schools Conference & Celebration

• April 2008  - Validation Site Visits to Selected Finalists

• May 2008 – Vanguard Schools Identified for 2008-2009

• May/June 2008- Vanguard Mentoring Partnerships Established

• November 2008 -  3rd Annual Statewide Vanguard Schools Conference & Celebration

 

Mission

The mission of the CT Vanguard Schools Initiative is to identify and recognize schools in which student performance is high and/or significantly improving, and to share their evidence-based best practices with other schools to help them with their own efforts to replicate and produce effective practices.

Belief Statements

• All students need to master a comprehensive, balanced, sequential curriculum based on state and national standards.
• All students should be engaged in rigorous, challenging learning.
• All students deserve effective teachers.
• In addition to mandated state assessments, multiple measures of student achievement should be used to demonstrate student performance across the curriculum.
• Schools should ensure that graduates are prepared for success in post-secondary education and the workplace.
• Successful schools continuously reduce the achievement gaps.
• Schools should be inclusive and should honor the diversity of their students.
• School improvement strategies that enhance student performance should be sustainable and replicable.
• On-going, high quality professional development and support for educators is essential for effective instruction and student learning.
• Effective leadership is essential to improve student achievement.
• Successful schools promote engagement and shared leadership in all adults who are critical to student learning: educators, parents, and community.
• Effective schools have a climate that is inviting, safe, respectful, and promotes the joy of learning.
• The culture of exemplary schools reflects and cultivates students’, teachers’, and parents’ motivation and engagement in lifelong learning.

Congratulations to Our CT Vanguard Schools

2005-2006	2006-2007	2007-2008
Amistad Academy New Haven Dwight Elementary Hartford Integrated Day Charter Norwich Sandy Hook Elementary Newtown	Farm Hill Elementary Middletown Granby Memorial High Granby	Bristol Eastern High Bristol Hamilton Avenue Elementary Greenwich Platt Technical High Milford Ponus Ridge Middle Norwalk

 

For more information

For more information about the Connecticut Vanguard Schools Initiative, contact SERC Consultant Patrick Flynn at (860)632-1485 x393, or Senior Project Assistant Heather Penfield at (860) 632-1485, ext. 263.

 

At CTSERC.org