Ever been in one of those planning meetings that drag on forever, with everyone talking, but nothing really moving forward?  We’ve all been there. Strategic planning is a critical part of any organization—whether it’s a school, a nonprofit, or a business—but it doesn’t have to feel like a never-ending marathon of meetings. We like to think of strategic planning in two phases, each with its challenges for organizations. Planning the plan Implementing the plan In this blog (the first of a two-part series), we’ll highlight innovative strategies to help organizations streamline the most crucial phase of planning—“ planning the plan. ” This phase is often the most time-consuming and challenging, but it doesn’t have to be. Let’s dive into how organizations can rethink their approach to strategic planning. The Challenges of Strategic Planning: Planning the Plan Strategic planning can often feel like trying to plan a road trip with a car full of backseat drivers. On paper, it seems simple ...

The Challenge of Midterm Accreditation Reports School accreditation is a challenging, important process that requires ongoing documentation and reflection. One crucial component of this journey is the midterm review, which takes place three years after a school's Action Plan has been put into place. During this phase, schools assess their progress toward goals that were agreed upon at the start of the accreditation cycle. Unlike the initial accreditation, which involves input from a broad array of stakeholders and an in-depth, often 100-page Self-Study, the midterm review is a streamlined progress update.  Yet, it brings its own unique challenges: Scope and Content: Schools often struggle with knowing how much to report. The midterm report isn’t about re-evaluating goals but documenting progress and lessons learned. How detailed should this report be, and how should evidence from the past three years be gathered? Resource Use and Time: Schools must decide who to involve in the m...