Description of School

Olathe Unified School District is a large, growing suburban district located outside of Kansas City. It serves 19,613 students from preschool through grade twelve.

Student Demographics

Background and Goals

In the mid-1980s, staff development in the district was sporadic, focused primarily at the elementary level, and mainly voluntary. Today, Olathe District Schools operate under a long-term, integrated plan that guides staff development efforts in which all members participate and to which substantial time and resources are allocated. Continuous inquiry and improvement are imbedded in the district?s culture. Life-long learning is the expectation for all. The professional development focus progresses from "learning to doing." The expectation is implementation, and the ultimate goal is improved student learning.

Professional Development Design and Implementation

Guiding Principles: The district?s guiding principles for staff denote the importance it places on continuous learning and improvement: Children First, Respect for All, Teamwork, Excellence and Quality, and Commitment to Individual Needs.

Action Plans: The district?s improvement/professional development process is embodied in five-year action plans. The process requires the district and individual schools to evaluate current status and baseline data, establish goals, and develop school improvement and building staff development plans to achieve desired outcomes. Plans include anticipated outcomes, research-based strategies, necessary resources, documentation of improvement, and other elements.

Current Research: Current knowledge and research is continually used to design and develop quality professional learning activities. The information is acquired, discussed, spread, and folded into practice in various ways, including newsletters, the Internet, staff-written research briefs, and training sessions. Ongoing discussion groups are set up to explore new ideas. Funding is provided to support ideas that can be integrated into the program.

Evaluation: Evaluation plans are in place for large-scale district training programs, building staff development plans, and individual teacher-growth plans. The Teacher Appraisal Process uses an Individual Development Plan and annual Job Targets. Each method allows individual teachers to customize their own learning based on professional needs.

Professional Growth Structures: The district supplies a wide array of support activities, such as eight hours of paid training outside the contract day, release time for during-the-day training, six and one-half inservice days, after-school learning opportunities, summer training, stipends for Saturday, professional development points tied to state relicensure, and graduate credit from local university partners.

Resources: The District Distance Learning Lab links staff seeking English as a Second Language certification to university coursework. The Instructional Materials Center features a technology training lab, staff development training facilities, and a large resource center with up-to-date instructional materials and professional resources.

Objective Evidence of Success

The district has recorded improvements in reading, math, and writing achievement. Student scores on statewide tests also show a narrowing in the gap between students of differing socioeconomic status, opposite their state trends. Year to year academic data for the Iowa Test of Basic Skills, the Kansas Math assessment, and the ACT show an overall increase in math at all levels.

Contact Information

Alison Banikowski, Assistant Superintendent
Curriculum and Instruction
Olathe District Schools
14160 Black Bob Road
Olathe, KS 66063-2000
(919) 780-8028
(913) 780-8007 (fax)
banikowski@mail.olathe.k12.ks.us

-###-

[ Return to National Awards Program ]