Bob Pearlman Home	21st Century Learning	21st Century Districts
Exemplar New Tech Schools	21st Century Secondary Schools	Recommended Books

Exemplar 21st Century Skills School Districts>

Virginia Beach City Public Schools, VA

Updated: September, 2011

Compass to 2015: Navigating the Future

Compass 2015 Strategic Framework

About	Virginia Beach City Public Schools, VA Virginia Beach City Public Schools is the largest school division in Hampton Roads – southeastern Virginia – serving approximately 69,565 students in grades K-12. Currently, the school system includes 56 elementary schools, 14 middle schools, 11 high schools, and a number of secondary/post-secondary specialty centers, including the Renaissance Academy, Advanced Technology Center, Technical and Career Education Center, and Adult Learning Center. Source: About Us. Dr. James G. Merrill, Superintendent Homepage: http://www.vbschools.com/. Presentation by Dr. James G. Merrill: The Power of a Compass on Our Journey to Transform Education, November 18, 2010. Excellent report on the district's journey. PowerPoint PDF plus presenter's speech. Presentation by Dr. James G. Merrill: Compass to 2015: One School District's Story, November 2010. November 18, 2010. Excellent report on the district's journey.
Documents	See Flash cards on district Homepage, "Thriving as 21st Century learners, workers, and citizens". Compass to 2015: A Strategic Plan for Student Success (PDF) 21st Century Skills for VBCPS Key Indicators of Student Success Annual and Mid-Year Reports on Compass to 2015 Strategic Plan: June, 2010; January, 2011 List of Key Skills; Glossary; Resources; VBCPS continuum for 21st Century Skills; FAQ continuum for 21st Century Skills VBCPS Educational Technology Plan -- addresses division-wide technology, supporting the school division's comprehensive strategic plan Compass to 2015.
Mission and Vision	District slogan: "A commitment to provide all students with the necessary skills to thrive as 21st century learners, workers, and citizens." Mission and Vision Statements . Vision Statement: Every student is achieving at his or her maximum potential in an engaging, inspiring and challenging learning environment. Mission Statement: The Virginia Beach City Public Schools, in partnership with the entire community, will empower every student to become a life-long learner who is a responsible, productive and engaged citizen within the global community. Watch as Students Share our Mission Statement (video download)
21st Century Learning	Compass to 2015 Homepage: A Strategic Plan for Student Success. Strategies
Articles	From SchoolNet interview with Dr. Jared Cotton, Assistant Superintedent, Department of Research, Evaluation and Assessment:"TheVirginia Beach City,Virginia Public School district has an ongoing process of curriculum development and review. The curriculum is built around Understandings and Essential Questions, and includes curriculum embedded performance assessments that integrate 21st century skills with academic content." . Confronting a Racial Achievement Gap: Merrill and his board developed “Compass to 2015: A Strategic Plan for Student Success," By Jennifer Elise Chase. District Administration, March 2010
Videos	Compass to 2015: Navigating the Future 21st Century Skills in Action: Critical thinking, creative thinking, and problem solving 21st Century Skills in Action: Communication, collaboration, listening, and information literacy Social responsibility, sustainability, interdependence and health literacy See Compass to 2015 Videos on Strategic Objectives 1-5 linked from Compass to 2015 Homepage. Watch as Students Share our Mission Statement (video download) Compass Keepers of the Virginia Beach Public Schools Video Interview by Edustat with Dr. Jared Cotton Learning Walks Video 1 and Video 2. Access from Compass to 2015 Page. Administrators conduct classroom visits to find evidence of "look fors" of 21st Century Skills and Learning.