Every few years, the Waterbury Public Schools undergoes a strategic planning process that culminates in a multi-year plan for educational improvement. This plan serves as an important blueprint for all educators, guiding the district forward in its goals to improving student achievement in literacy and numeracy and providing students with a healthy and safe learning environment while encouraging parents to participate in a meaningful way in their children's education.
Waterbury's first District Improvement Plan, Empowering for Success, was developed in 2000 to serve as a guide for school improvement. This plan sought to provide the map needed to move forward to educational excellence in student achievement, cultural diversity, long range planning, effective assessment and monitoring of expenditures. It was developed through the cooperation of Central Office staff, principals, teachers, students, parents and school community organizations. The plan improved accountability and raised expectations for the district.
The first District Improvement Plan followed a specific timeline for improvements (2000-2005) and was cited by the State Department of Education as an exemplary plan. Since then, the district has updated its strategic plan three times. The latest plan, Blueprint for Change: Moving Forward for Student Success, was approved by the Board of Education in December of 2012 and served as a guideline for educators through 2017.
The district is currently working on a new strategic plan for educational reform based on Portrait of a Graduate.