When our strategic plan launched in February 2019, it laid the foundation for the work happening now in Jefferson Parish Schools. We initiated many new practices, structures, and systems because of it. Our students’ growth these past two years show us that the moves we’re making from our 2024 strategic plan are working. However, we are due for an updated plan. Most strategic plans are designed to last three to five years, plus the context for our work has shifted, including impacts from the pandemic, changes in our student demographics, and new laws and policies.

Through our engagement opportunities these last few years - including school visits, Superintendent’s Councils, Discovery Days, Town Halls, and conversations with community, business, civic, and faith leaders - we have gathered feedback and input about what’s working and where we need to improve as a district. As we finalize our next strategic plan that takes us into 2028, we wanted to gather additional feedback from our stakeholders about what matters most as we continue on the road to excellence.

Our Strategic Plan Survey was administered May 24-June 5, 2023. It gave us additional insight from our students, families, employees, and community members and helped us plan for our 2028 strategic plan. The online survey contained five open-ended questions and was anonymous. It was available in English, Spanish, Arabic, and Vietnamese.

Over 1,106 stakeholders responded, and we are grateful to those stakeholders who took the time to complete the survey. Using this feedback and other insights gathered over these last few years, we will be presenting our updated 2028 strategic plan at the regularly scheduled July 5, 2023 School Board meeting.

Respondents:

Stakeholder	English	Spanish	Arabic	Vietnamese	By stakeholder
Student	11	3		1	15 (1%)
Parent/Guardian AND Employee	131	5			136 (12%)
Teacher	489	2			491 (44%)
Non-Teaching Employee	210				210 (20%)
Parent/Guardian	214	26		1	241 (22%)
Community Member	13				13 (1%)
By language	1,068 (97%)	36 (2.9%)	0 (0%)	2 (.1%)

Feedback:

1st Question: The following common themes are from an open-ended question that read: “What hopes and dreams do you have for the children of Jefferson Parish Schools?”
- To learn in safe and caring environments
- To have quality education that prepares them for successful career opportunities
- To be supported both emotionally and academically
- To be well-educated and well-rounded
- To have access to unique learning opportunities
- To become productive citizens in their communities
The following quotes are directly from our stakeholders:
- “A well rounded challenging education taught by engaged professionals who are compensated for their hard work.” - Student
- “I hope that they will always have a thirst for learning and a curious mind. My dream is that our education system is one that encourages questions and exploration, that nurtures curiosity and innovative thinking. I want our children to always have the courage to ask "why" and the perseverance to search for the answer.” - Parent/Guardian
- “I want them to be safe, intellectually stimulated, and know they are the most precious of all of our priorities.” - Non-teaching Employee
- “I am hopeful that students become respectful, hard-working, and educated members of their community with a love for learning and for others.” -Teacher
2nd Question: The following common themes are from an open-ended question that read: “What does a school look and sound like if it is a great place for students and families?”
- A safe, clean, accepting, and supportive environment
- Students are talking and working cooperatively to solve problems
- Administrators, teachers, staff, parents and students are working together
- Students are showing mastery of standards based on receiving instruction based on their needs
- Employees and students treat each other with respect
- Students feel free to be themselves and their dreams are encouraged and appreciated
The following quotes are directly from our stakeholders:
- "Students have a love of learning and participate in extracurricular activities. Parents are consistently involved.” -Teacher
- “It should be a place where kids can feel hopeful and optimistic about their future. Clean, well-maintained buildings, well-stocked classrooms, good lighting. The curriculum should be engaging and draw them into learning, giving teachers the freedom to teach their passion so they can share their enthusiasm for learning with the kids.” - Parent/Guardian
- “A broad curriculum with opportunities for students to develop their passions in STEM, the arts, and trades/vocational skills.” - Student
- "It should be welcoming and innovative - an environment that evokes ingenuity and promotes learning.” - Community Member
3rd Question: The following common themes are from an open-ended question that read: “What does a school look and sound like if it is a great place for employees?”
- Friendly, clean, caring, welcoming, and safe environment
- Cohesive and collaborative team of administrators, faculty, and support staff who value, trust, respect, and support each other
- Staff voice their opinions and contribute to the larger picture
- Opportunity for growth
- Support from administration and Central Office
- Employees are supported mentally, emotionally, and economically
- Main focus is students
The following quotes are directly from our stakeholders:
- “Employees are an integral part of the village. Each and every individual can joyfully participate in doing the jobs for which they were hired to make sure that all aspects of every job are completed.” - Non-teaching Employee
- “Everyone knows their part in the overall achievement and feels like they have the tools and support to complete their job.” - Parent
- “Where the teachers are supported and valued.” - Student
- “A great school has teachers who are awesome teachers that have a chance to utilize their own creativity. This environment will also make teachers feel appreciated and welcome. This environment ensures transparency and fairness with administration, and safeguards to ensure that this takes place. Teachers work collaboratively to plan lesson plans that are engaging to the students. Students are excited about learning!” - Teacher
- “Great communication between administration and team members. Support from your colleagues. Help each other grow in our craft to help out all future students.” - Teacher
4th Question: The following common themes are from an open-ended question that read: “What are the actions that allow us to achieve our vision of providing the education our students deserve?”
- Opportunities for students to have high-wage career opportunities
- Focus on student attendance and extracurricular activities
- Invest in high-quality instructional materials, infrastructure, and technology
- Consistency and accountability for student discipline
- Provide necessary resources and training to teachers, leaders, support staff, and families
- Provide professional development, support, and competitive salaries for employees
- Engage in open and clear communication
- Collaborate and give all stakeholders a voice at the table
The following quotes are directly from our stakeholders:
- “Hiring and maintaining qualified personnel in all areas who are interested in student success, listening to the needs of all stakeholders and implementing the plans that are possible, and providing appropriate training and inservices to all levels of employees to keep everyone up to date on new and innovative concepts in education.” - Non-teaching Employee
- “Creating more programs in career/tech would be a great achievement, especially if these pathways become more accepted by students and parents/guardians.” - Community Member
- “Having the most up-to-date materials, a curriculum aligned with state standards, assessments aligned with the curriculum, and enough teachers to carry out the job without placing a heavy burden on others.” - Teacher
- “Listening to the kids’ ideas and always looking for better ideas to make things work.” - Parent/Guardian and Employee
5th Question: The following common themes are from an open-ended question that read: “How will we know if we are making progress toward our vision of providing the education our students deserve?”
- Happy, well-behaved students who love going to school and learning
- Grades, test scores, and graduation rates improve
- Increased stakeholder satisfaction
- Increased student attendance and enrollment
- Fewer vacancies and increased employee retention
The following quotes are directly from our stakeholders:
- “Students will be proud of their campus and will be happy to talk about it outside of school. Parents will be able to celebrate in accomplishments and will be invited to participate in school events whenever possible.” - Parent/Guardian and Employee
- “When students are motivated and focused on learning; employees are passionate about what they do and feel appreciated; when parents and the community feel that their involvement matters, then we will witness more progress.” - Community Member
- “We should see the growth of the whole child, not just test scores. We will produce productive citizens that will be able to survive socially, economically and mentally.” - Non-teaching Employee
- “Look to the culture of the school community, the culture of the district community, and Jefferson Parish community. Until we understand that we belong to each other and think about the good of the whole, we will be stuck.” - Teacher

Click on the above image to view the Strategic Plan Stakeholder Survey Results.

JP Schools Strategic Plan:

To Preview JP Schools Strategic Plan, "2028 The Road to Transformation, Innovation, & Excellence," click here

Feedback:

1st Question: The following common themes are from an open-ended question that read: “What hopes and dreams do you have for the children of Jefferson Parish Schools?”

2nd Question: The following common themes are from an open-ended question that read: “What does a school look and sound like if it is a great place for students and families?”

3rd Question: The following common themes are from an open-ended question that read: “What does a school look and sound like if it is a great place for employees?”

4th Question: The following common themes are from an open-ended question that read: “What are the actions that allow us to achieve our vision of providing the education our students deserve?”

5th Question: The following common themes are from an open-ended question that read: “How will we know if we are making progress toward our vision of providing the education our students deserve?”