Park Ridge-Niles School District 64 has released a series of four video podcasts to share the results of an external audit recently conducted to identify areas of strength and opportunities for improvement related to best practice quality performance standards.
District 64 selected the Consortium for Educational Change (CEC) to partner with them in conducting a District-level review, called a System Overview Assessment. CEC utilizes a framework built around the Malcolm Baldrige Performance Excellence Program and also embraces the Professional Learning Community model.
“The audit offers us an opportunity to benchmark ourselves against effective practices of other high performing districts in the three essential areas of learning, collaboration and results,” according to District 64 Superintendent Laurie Heinz.
Dr. Heinz developed the short video podcasts to share the detailed findings in each area along with an overview. The podcasts as well as written reports are available through the CEC Audit page on the District website www.d64.org. http://www.d64.org/superintendent/CEC-Audit-2015.
“I recommend you begin your review with the Overview podcast. It offers more background about the study and highlights the six key, compelling themes we think will inspire many conversations for months to come as we look at District 64 through the new lens of continuous improvement,” she noted.
“Special thanks to the almost 1,000 parents, staff and students who shared their voice and opinions in small group sessions with the visiting CEC team during their work here in February,” Dr. Heinz added.
“As CEC reported, we have much to be proud of, but we also have many opportunities to evaluate our practices if we are to reach new heights as a District,” she stated.
The audit findings are being used immediately to inform the work of a 40-member volunteer Strategic Planning Steering Committee, which is drafting a new plan to provide a “2020 vision” for District 64 over the next five years.