New MVUSD Strategic Plan Calls for RealWorld Teaching and Learning

The level of community involvement in creating Moreno Valley Unified’s new Strategic Plan led to some very bottom-line discussions about what teaching and learning should look like. And the consensus, which became a central feature of the new plan, was that students should be able to see how what they learn can be applied to the real world, and that everyone’s expectations for achievement should remain high for all involved. “Not everyone in the room was an educator,” explained School Board Clerk CJ Johnson of the strategic-planning process, “but everyone knew that all students learn best when they understand how what they’re learning can be put to work. It’s that real-world focus that keeps the entire Strategic Plan real and applicable to everything we do.” Johnson added that the over-arching principle that all students can and will learn commits MVUSD students, staff, parents and administrators – and yes, even School Board members – to maintain high expectations for themselves and each other. “Usually, when the discussion turns to high expectations, it’s assumed we’re talking about student achievement alone,” Johnson said. “The students, teachers, staff and community members who created our Strategic Plan were very clear that, at MVUSD, having high expectations means everyone holding themselves and each other accountable for always doing our best in support of student academic achievement. It’s everyone’s responsibility.” The community-inclusive strategic planning team includes students, parents, teachers, classified district staff, representatives of the local business community, faith communities, colleges, and other community stakeholders, along with several School Board members and MVUSD administrators. The team began meeting monthly beginning in October of 2013, and continues to work to publicize the plan within the school district and to the larger community. The entire new Strategic Plan can be viewed online at www.mvusd.net/strategic.