Standard 04 Strategic Plan

James Rumsey Technical Institute 2019-2023 Strategic Plan

Scope of Services

The scope and services of the strategic plan are to consistently improve the quality of education and to remain a safe and supportive school for our students and the community.

Budgetary Resources

No budgetary resources are needed. Each of the objectives are maintained in-house by the faculty, work-based learning coordinator, and administration.

Planning Committee:

James Rumsey Technical Institute administrators and faculty.

Mission:

To enhance the quality of life through continual education for students of all ages throughout our community by setting standards of excellence in technical and academic education as determined by business, industry, and government.

Vision:

The Institute is dedicated to the belief that each individual should be given a continual opportunity for the development and extension of his/her skill and knowledge to increase an awareness of his/her role and responsibility in society. The Institute is devoted to serving the educational needs of its community and assumes a responsibility to help provide the requirements for trained employees in its region through a cooperative effort from local industry, business, and government.

Core Beliefs:

1.   We believe that the curriculum should consist of 21st Century Skills (including global awareness, financial, economic, business, and entrepreneurial literacy, civic literacy, and health and wellness awareness) and be adaptable to the changing needs of students and industries.

2.   We believe parents, business and industry, the community, and other educational institutions are partners in the educational process.

3.   We believe that the curriculum should be continually evolving to meet the present and future trends of career needs and anticipate those trends with a plan of action.

4.   We believe that a close collaboration with business and industry is vital to the continual improvement of our programs.

5.   We believe that lifelong learning (including learning, thinking and life skills) is essential for individuals and communities to flourish.

6.   We believe that collaborations with other institutions of education, business and industry, and the community will expand the opportunities for our students.

7.   We believe teachers must understand and respect the unique needs of students with exceptionalities.

8.   We believe communication and access to information is essential to learning.

9.   We believe that the school climate should reflect a pleasant, attractive, safe, and productive environment for learning and working.

10.   We believe in the intrinsic worth and critical need for technical excellence in all levels of modern society.

Major Activities

Major activities are listed as Objectives 1 – 5.

Improve Teaching and Learning – Completion, Placement, and Licensure Rates

Objective 1: Strategy Title, Description, and Strategies

Title – Completion Rate

Description – The student completion rate will increase at a rate of .5% a year for a period of five years.

Strategies –

• Students are assessed (Test of Basic Education) prior to being accepted into the program.
• For those students who do not meet the minimum requirements:
  • Receive remediation and are retested or
  • Are not accepted into the program.
• Teachers/learning center coordinator tutor students who are experiencing academic challenges.
• Attendance rates must be a minimum of 90% throughout the year. The administrator meets with the students who are in danger of termination due to absenteeism.

Persons Responsible – Students, instructors, learning center coordinator, and assistant principal.

Objective 2: Strategy Title, Description, and Strategies

Title – Placement Rate

Description – The student placement rate will increase at a rate of .5% a year for a period of five years.

Strategies –

• Teachers meet with craft advisory members and potential employers a minimum of twice a year to discuss changes/requirements needed for employment.
• During the school year, students are placed in-field with potential employers as part of a cooperative experience.
• Placement coordinator continues to build relationships with potential employers in order to continue placing students with new companies.
• As well as the program skills, students are taught the soft skills needed for hiring purposes as well as maintaining the job.

Persons Responsible – Placement Coordinator, Instructors, and Students

Objective 3: Strategy Title, Description, and Strategies

Title – Licensure Rate

1. Description –When licensing is required to earn or maintain employment in-field, the acquired licensure rate will maintain a minimum 95% passing rate.

Strategies –

• All West Virginia Department of Education curriculum/content skill sets are thoroughly covered throughout the length of the program.
  • Truck Driving –
    • Students spend more than the minimum required amount of time in the program allowing for more experience on the road, parking, backing, etc.
    • Students earn the following certifications
      • Hazmat certification (written test)
      • Doubles/Triples (written test)
      • Tanker Endorsement (written test)
  • Massage Therapy –
    • Class sizes are small; therefore, students acquire more one-on-one time with clients, and the instructor is able to give more time to each student.
    • Class time is devoted to preparing students for the licensure exam.
  • Practical Nursing –
    • Students exceed the required clinical time in order to have more experience working with patients, supervisors, etc.
    • A portion of the class is devoted to preparing students for the licensure exam.

Persons Responsible – Instructors, Students, and Curriculum Administrator

Improving Safe and Supportive School Environments

Objective 4: Strategy Title, Description, and Strategies

Title – Establish, ensure, and maintain learning environments that are safe, orderly, free of bullying, and designed to stimulate the creativity and innovation of all students.

Description – Empower students with the knowledge and strategies to not be a victim.

Strategies –                                              

• Classifications of harassment are clearly explained and discussed during orientation.
• Additional information is provided concerning aggressive behaviors by watching a harassment video.
• Students are provided the name of the Title IX coordinator.
• Students (victims) are given access to submit a concern to the Title IX coordinator who then launches an investigation.

Persons Responsible – Students, Instructors, and Title IX Coordinator

Objective 5: Strategy Title, Description, and Strategies

Title – Attendance Rates

Description – Improve safe and supportive school environment by increasing the percentage of students with greater than or equal to 90% attendance.

Strategies –

• Students have access to electronic/hard copies of expectations which are explained during orientation.
• Letters are sent to students when they have missed 25%, 50%, and 100% of total acceptable absences.
• Conferences with instructors and assistant principal when students have missed 25%, 50%, and 100% of total acceptable absences.
• Students are rewarded/incentives given for excellent attendance.

Persons Responsible – Students, Instructors, Administration

Major Publications

All plans, including the Strategic Plan, are included on the school’s website.

Evaluations of the Plan

Plans are evaluated by the faculty and approved by the Administrative Council.

Constituents with Whom the Plan is Shared

The plan is shared with the faculty, administration, advisory council, and the public (as it is posted on the website).