USB Strategic Plan

Academics

The School for the Blind provides access to academics which are the foundation of real world success.

• Effective assessment resulting in increased student progress 
  • Formative
  • Interim
  • Summative

• A 5 year average of student enrollment will reflect 85% of graduating students will exit  with traditional or alternate diplomas, in lieu of certificates of completions

• Align the ECC with the core curriculum
• Portrait of a Graduate competencies, specific to USB, and reflecting multiple levels of ability, will guide instructional strategies across age and grade bands birth to 22.

• Develop a policy incorporating best practice in virtual education which encompasses health and safety, access, services, placement, professional development, and personnel management. 

Stakeholder Engagement

USB believes that through open dialog with stakeholders, a greater understanding of real-world needs will lead to the most pragmatic solutions in educating children and young adults who are blind, visually impaired, or deaf-blind across the state, with an understanding that education and growth happens in all settings.

• USB will use multiple mechanisms for parents and families to partner with teachers and staff for the success of children and young adults. 
• Families, districts, and other stakeholders will be aware of and utilize supports available to all children and young adults who are blind, visually impaired, or deaf-blind across the state independent of who serves IEP vision services.

• USB will utilize every network, local and nationwide, for recruiting personnel.
• HR and USB staff will be trained in marketing and field-specific essentials for recruitment.
• USB’s online presence will reflect high-quality educational programs and an exceptional place to work
• A comprehensive personnel management program will be developed including
  • A structured plan for robust mentoring 
  • A dynamic plan for professional development based on data
  • Evaluation process incorporating individual pedagogic skill building and mentoring support regardless of years of service

• USB will have a functioning advisory group, the USB Action Committee, of invested stakeholders, (parents of blind children, blind associations like NFB, AFB, district personnel, DSBVI, former students, University personnel, etc.) to give feedback and input regarding Blind-specific education across age and grade levels, coordinate calendars and programs, and increase general awareness of services for children and young adults who are blind, visually impaired or deaf-blind . 
• The Blind Action Committee will collaborate with USB staff to give feedback about challenges and successes in each Blind Division,  develop innovative approaches to address educational challenges facing families, children and young adults  with visual impairment, and cooperate with the school and other agencies in the provision of exemplary services for all learners (birth to 22) who are blind, visually impaired, or deaf-blind..

• USB will increase efforts to collaborate effectively with districts to provide support to children and young adults.

Transition

Intentional, effective transition planning will be infused throughout educational preparation birth to 22.

• USB will be a local and national leader in transition planning for children and students who are blind, visually impaired or deaf-blind.
• A transition handbook for families, children and students, aged birth to 22,will be developed and widely referenced by district personnel, USB staff, families, and other stakeholders.
• USB will be a contracted fancy facilitating Pre_ETS, specifically in rural areas, with a full-time position funded by Pre-ETS.
• Increased relationships with universities and technical programs will reflect greater access for high school students preparing for post-high training and increase successful completion of academic and vocational programs.
• Comprehensive data collection program will be developed to assess program success and quality of life for children and young adults across the educational life span and 5 years after exiting USB services.