Excellence for All is Seattle Public Schools' five year strategic plan that guides our work to achieve this goal. The strategies in Excellence for All are focused on academic excellence, accountability for performance, efficient use of resources and engagement with our community to ensure every school is an excellent school.

"Helping more students graduate with the skills needed to succeed in higher education and in their careers is the primary goal for Seattle Public Schools," said Superintendent Goodloe-Johnson. "We will continue to set high expectations for all students and to recognize and support the critical role that teachers, staff and families play in helping students succeed."

One of the key strategies to achieve academic success through Excellence for All is to ensure that all students are provided with the support, resources and excellent instruction needed to excel. With a goal of increasing graduation rates and academic achievement, Seattle Public Schools is supporting our students in a number of important ways:

? Providing summer bridge programs which help 8th grade students succeed in high school by preparing them for their transition to 9th grade and a new high school environment
? Increasing college-readiness by offering 30% more Advanced Placement (AP) courses this year as well as administrating the PSAT district-wide to 9th, 10th and 11th grade students
? Creating a consistent, comprehensive approach to math, science, reading and writing through curriculum alignment
? Doubling the number of National Board Certified teachers in the District. Seattle ranked among the top districts in the nation in the number of newly board-certified teachers, many of whom teach at our neediest schools
? Ensuring that our teachers and schools are provided the best tools and resources possible to help students succeed. High quality teaching is the most important factor in student learning.

Major College Readiness initiatives at Seattle Public Schools (SPS) for the 2009-2010 academic year include:

? Curriculum alignment across multiple content areas
? Implementation of our new high school math curriculum
? Continued expansion of Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate offerings
? Offering an option high school with a Science Technology Engineering and Math (STEM) focus

Family involvement is a critical part of every student's academic success. At Seattle Public Schools, we are committed to working with families and community members to create an excellent school district for each and every student. We invite you to become involved in your child's education. For more information, please click here.