Prince Edward County Public Schools’ commitment to identify and serve the needs of each child is demonstrated by its adoption of a professional learning community model, Failure Is NOT an Option. This model is founded on the belief that ALL children can achieve at least grade-level proficiency. The overriding philosophy of the Failure is Not an Option model describes the critical role that every teacher, paraprofessional, administrator and school staff member plays to identify any child who is falling behind and to work together to provide the support the child needs to be successful. We believe that each employee impacts children every day and we expect those interactions to be positive, meaningful, and supportive of academic and behavioral success.

Continuous school improvement is guided through the use of achievement data to make decisions. Research conducted by Doug Reeves indicates that high-performing schools utilize on-going professional development, model effective teaching and assessment practices, encourage ongoing professional collaboration, use effective communication between school staff, parents, and students, and monitor student progress on a frequent and regular basis. Prince Edward County Public Schools encourage and enhance these practices through collaboration, discussion, and coaching among our staff.

Failure is NOT an Option at Prince Edward County Public Schools demonstrates:

• Our commitment to making sure that all students learn the content and process skills they need in school and in the future

• Our commitment to creating a culture that encourages and allows all students to succeed

• Our collective responsibility for students’ learning

• Our commitment to becoming a learning community and improve our learning

The Six Principles of Failure is NOT an Option are:

Principle 1: Common Mission, Vision, Values and Goals

Principle 2: Ensuring Achievement for ALL Students by Developing Systems of Prevention and Intervention

Principle 3: Collaborative Teaming Focused on Teaching and Learning

Principle 4: Using Data to Guide Decision Making and Continuous Improvement

Principle 5: Gaining Active Engagement from Family and Community

Principle 6: Building Sustainable Leadership Capacity

During 2008-09, teachers, administrators and all staff members will be moving to the next level in implementing these six principles. The vision for the school division will be articulated. Additional and more effective intervention will be provided for students in core content at each school. The focus will be on early identification of a gap in a student’s learning and quick response to address the missing concept. In addition, division-wide initiatives for the 2008-09 school year include Project Adventure Behavior Model, AVID, and Response to Intervention demonstrate our continuing commitment to the philosophy and tenets of Failure is NOT an Option.