GOAL:
Strategically allocate resources to ensure equity, excellence and efficiency
STRATEGIC RESOURCE ALLOCATION
Demonstrating fiscal responsibility through efficient operations
THE THREE E's
Defining Equity, Excellence, and Efficiency in the Pittsburgh Public Schools
DESIGN PRINCIPLES
Finding agreement on what we value
DR. WAYNE N. WALTERS Superintendent of Schoolswww.pghschools.org
Over the course of a few generations, we've taken radical responsibility for the wellbeing of the children in our communities But public education is an unfulfilled commitment it's a promise in progress.Despite 150 years of change, our schools are challenged with serving every student adequately or equitably.
In Pittsburgh, it's a tale of two cities.One is a story of renewed investment and blossoming opportunity. Another is a story of decades of disinvestment and disappearing opportunity. These stories often break down along neighborhood, racial and economic divides, as well as school feeder patterns The result is segregation by another name It is an injustice that harms all of us It is time that the promise of public education for every young Pittsburgher is realized We know that transformation is possible Decades of history show us that profound shifts can happen It is time to meet the urgency of this moment, break from a legacy of inequity, and bring forth a new Pittsburgh Public Schools.
Every child living within Pittsburgh Public Schools' footprint is entitled to a high-quality and robust educational experience, regardless of race, zip code, gender (including gender identity or expression), disability, sexual orientation, ethnicity, and economic designation. Therefore, our schools must strategically allocate resources and become vibrant community hubs that demonstrate fiscal responsibility through efficient operations while maintaining safe, effective and modern learning environments
As a public and urban school district, Pittsburgh Public Schools is challenged to improve student achievement and experiences while eliminating persistent racial and disability disparities. Any efforts to eliminate these disparities must include an investment in research, curriculum, assessment, data analysis, and accountability constructs that are culturally responsive and prioritize student needs and outcomes To actualize this desire, we must utilize an equity lens of access, support, and services to drive decisions that impact student learning experiences and outcomes informed by data
Goal 5 identifies the need to strategically allocate resources to ensure equity, excellence, and efficiency, but what does that mean in the Pittsburgh Public Schools? To ensure all stakeholders are working from the same definitions, we have defined the three E's in the following ways:
Equity:
Equity is providing what is needed to achieve desired outcomes and experiences. Equity is about access and opportunity in giving students what they need.
Educational Equity, as defined in the District's On Track to Equity plan, means "raising the achievement of all students while (1) narrowing the gaps between the lowest and highest performing students and (2) eliminating the racial predictability and disproportionality of which student groups occupy the highest and lowest achievement categories" (Singleton & Linton, 2006)
Excellence:
Excellence is the quality of being outstanding or extremely good. In school districts, excellence is often measured in quantitative outcomes, however; qualitative measures highlighting the experiences of those served (students and families) and providers of service (staff and community) are equally as important.
Efficiency:
Efficiency is the ability to achieve one’s desired results by utilizing the resources you have in the best way possible. Something becomes efficient when there is minimal waste and all processes are optimized
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Whenthethree E'sareoperating powerfully together,we canensure studentsreceive thehigh-quality educationthey deserve
Design principles are value statements that describe the most important goals that Pittsburgh Public Schools should deliver for students, staff, and families. Design principles are used to frame design decisions. It is important that the Pittsburgh community share the same values regarding what all students should experience in their public schools. These value statements will help the entire community frame what matters. Design principles have the power to guide decision-making and inform tough decisions we must make as a community related to the strategic allocation of our resources to ensure equity, excellence and efficiency.
The Superintendent’s Leadership Team engaged in multiple retreats with an independent consultant to deepen understanding of the three E’s and apply this understanding to Pittsburgh Public Schools After engaging in learning about design principles as a tool to support the creation of value statements to address equity, excellence, and efficiency, the team drafted design principles in four categories:
Academics;
Programs and Services
People and Staff; and Structural and Financial.
Pittsburgh Public Schools seeks input from the entire community on the draft design principles to move the District and city forward with a keen eye on student outcomes and experiences Visit www pghschools org/designprinciples to take a survey or find details for upcoming virtual and inperson meetings.
Togetherwecan defineour valuesfor improving student outcomesand experiences
For more information on the Superintendent's Priority Goals, please visit www.pghschools.org/suptgoals
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