Action Steps for Organizations

• Create a system and timeline that guarantees successful completion with an action plan, benchmarks and specific assignments.
• Articulate who will be served by the initiative.
• Identify funding resources for the length of the initiative.
• Provide time and resources from the development office to pursue funding.
• Articulate the resources, both human and educational, that will be needed to complete the initiative.
• Identify volunteers who will support the initiative, and credit them for their work.
• Link educational initiatives, including teacher training, to project goals.
• Provide ongoing opportunities for participants to assemble, share ideas and celebrate accomplishments.
  

• Align initiative and student response with state standards and district curricula.
• Identify the student outcomes and performance-based assessment strategies.
• Articulate your plan for involving a variety of classroom disciplines (art, history, environmental education, language arts, etc.)
• Provide teacher classroom release and committee time to work on the initiative.
• Document curricula and cross-curricular intersections.
• Embed curriculum responses long-term with continued additions to the initiative.
• Involve students in practical, real-world work; e.g., negotiation and dialogue.
• Involve families in the school initiative.
  

• Identify a specific community challenge, event or need that provides the catalyst for change or action.
• Identify and engage team members: decide who needs to be involved and who will represent different perspectives from the broader community.
• Identify the partnerships that need to be formed and the community, civic and business stakeholders.
• Include people from disenfranchised and diverse groups, and especially young people.
• Articulate the vision for what needs to be accomplished.
• Create a comprehensive plan with specific roles and responsibilities.
• Articulate how your initiative creates a lasting legacy for your community.