SchoolStat
SchoolStat supports CEO Andrés A. Alonso’s implementation of district priorities and data-driven accountability processes. SchoolStat serves as an internal project management and process improvement consultant for Baltimore City Public Schools (City Schools). SchoolStat's mission is to develop the City Schools organizational and managerial capacity, with a strong foundation in data-driven decision making.
City Schools SchoolStat is the first application of the "Stat" process to a public school system in the United States. Beginning in 2001, Baltimore SchoolStat worked with a number of departments to improve management outcomes, which in SY2002-2003 included facilities, budget management, risk management, police, and employee leave. In SY2003-2004, SchoolStat increased its portfolio to include special education services, adding transportation in the summer of 2005. With City Schools operations assuming responsibility for their Stat processes in SY2005-2006, SchoolStat’s primary focus shifted to City Schools’ core business – teaching and learning – and continues to focus strongly on improving student achievement in the classroom.
The “Stat” process is based on the City of Baltimore's CitiStat program and the New York City Police Department's CompStat program. In New York City and in Baltimore, the "Stat" process has helped city managers increase customer service, reduce crime, improve health, and promote fiscal responsibility.
The process has received long-standing acclaim from public administrators and researchers as an effective management process. CompStat was a major component of the dramatic declines in violent crime in New York City over the 1990's and CitiStat has saved the City of Baltimore more than $350 million in the six years of its existence. Both CompStat and CitiStat have received the "Innovations in Government Award" from the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University.
What are the Tenets of SchoolStat?
The underlying tenets of SchoolStat are:
- Accurate and timely intelligence shared by all.
- Effective tactics and strategies.
- Rapid deployment of resources.
- Relentless follow-up and assessment.
How can SchoolStat Improve a School System?
The SchoolStat process is a set of sound management principles that can be applied to the public, private, or non-profit sector. No matter the work, it can be improved if planning and regular measurement and performance evaluation take place. And with structured, collaborative discussions around timely information, SchoolStat is helping Baltimore City Public Schools stay focused on its most important goals.
Baltimore’s SchoolStat has remained strong because it has always focused on sustaining a simple set of management principles that work, rather than relying on a single person for success.
Projects Supported by School Stat Project Management
Fair Student Funding
The City Schools implemented a new funding model for school year 2008-2009.
Facility Solutions III
The City Schools is in year three of the Facility Solutions process to right-size City Schools school facilities. During the summer 2008, more than $42 million in facility improvements will be made.
Alternative Schools Expansion
The City Schools is expanding the number of students who can be served by alternative schools by almost 1,000.
Opening of School
The City Schools aims to improve school opening every year. SchoolStat is assisting with the district timeline for school opening (integrating all department start of school activities) and some particular initiatives, such as textbook ordering and delivery.
School Report Card
The City Schools is defining a new accountability structure for schools.
Central Office Strategy and Accountability
The City Schools is defining the strategy for reform under Dr. Alonso, and coupling this process with the workplans and accountability metrics top measure progress.
Stat Processes Run by School Stat
AttendanceStat
Focuses on meeting performance targets for student attendance. AttendanceStat also addresses problems of truancy (students with chronic attendance challenges).
EnrollmentStat (ImmunizationStat)
Focuses on maximizing the September 30th immunization and attendance rates, which determines the student count (basis for per pupil state funding).
Stat Processes Run by Departments
These stat processes were initially developed with SchoolStat’s support, but have since been adopted into the structure of accountability in each department as the particular stat processes and their department’s capacity were well developed.
HRStat (Teacher Recruitment, Teacher Vacancies and Highly Qualified Teachers)
InterruptionStat (Ensuring service delivery to students with disabilities)
FacilitiesStat (Facilities, Maintenance, and Operations)
LearningStat (School-based: Assessment-based model for principal leadership)
CapStat (Construction Projects)
ShopStat (Facilities Engineers)
Student Transportation
Where can I get more information on SchoolStat?
Phone: 443-984-3465
E-mail: jland@bcps.k12.md.us
Baltimore SchoolStat Visitors
- Adams Five Star School District (Denver, CO)
- City of Somerville (MA)
- Education Week
- Jackson Public School System (Jackson, MS)
- Maryland State Department of Education
- Nassau County Municipal Government (NY)
- New Leaders for New Schools
- Paterson Public School System (Patterson, NJ)
- Public School System of Edmonton (Alberta, Canada)
- The Abell Foundation
- The Fund for Educational Excellence
- The Greater Baltimore Committee
- The New Teacher Project
- The Stupski Foundation