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Arkansas Geographic Alliance “Promoting Geographic Literacy in a Global Environment”

Strategic Plan: 2012 - 2014

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Table of Contents

Vision ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..…….….……..….. 4

Mission

Values

Current Situation

Strategic Goal #1: Communicate With and Engage Stakeholders …...…………….…………….……… 6

Activity #1.1: Create Plan to Communicate and Engage

Objective #1: Regularly inform stakeholders about Alliance

Strategic Goal #2: Measure Geographic Literacy …………………………………………………………………. 6

Activity #2.1: Create Plan and Measure Geographic Literacy

Objective #1: Annually measure geographic literacy

Strategic Goal #3: Establish an Efficient Infrastructure ……………………………………….……..…….… 7

Activity #3.1: Develop Organizational Structure Objective #1: Create an efficient operational plan and structure Sub Activity #1: Partner with host institution Objective #1: Establish a Memorandum of Understanding …… 7 Sub Activity #2: Establish a Coordinator transition plan Objective #1: Create a transition plan Activity #3.2: Develop a Financial Plan ………………………………………………………………………. 8 Objective #1: To enable long-term financial sustainability Activity #3.3: Incorporate Technology …………………………………………………………..….….……. 9 Objective #1: To function effectively and efficiently Activity #3.4: Increase Membership 2% per year Objective #1: To provide more exposure and build a larger labor force Strategic Goal #4: Provide Professional Development and other Programs ……………………….. 10 Activity #4.1: Create a series of professional development programs Objective #1: To improve geographic knowledge and improve pedagogy Strategic Goal #5: Establish Partnerships that will contribute to Educational Reform ……..… 11 Activity #5.1: Develop partnerships with organizations interested in Alliance initiatives Objective #1: To broaden support for geographic literacy and education Activity #5.2: With partners, develop a plan to reform school curriculum Objective #1: To improve geographic literacy among students Evaluation Plan …………………………………………………………………………………………………….…...….…….. 12

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Appendices Strategic Plan Chronology ……………………………………………………….………….……..………….. 14 Organizational Structure ……………………………………………………………………..…………………. 17

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Vision

Individual citizens, businesses, educational institutions, and public and private organizations in

Arkansas realize that a geographic literate population is essential and critical for economic

competiveness in an interdependent, global society for the preservation of the quality of life and

for environmental sustainability. These persons, institutions, and organizations will promote the

need for, assist in the advancement of, and provide financial support for geography education

and geographic literacy. Therefore, by 2025, geography will be a preeminent component of the

school curriculum at all levels and supported by all stakeholders.

Mission

The Mission of the Arkansas Geographic Alliance is to advocate and advance geographic

literacy in Arkansas. This is accomplished by: 1) communicating with and engaging

stakeholders; 2) measuring geographic literacy; 3) building an efficient and effective

organizational infrastructure; 4) providing high quality professional development and other

programs for practicing teachers, teacher candidates, and others; and 5) partnering with other

organizations that will assist in reforming geography education.

Values

In alignment with the Vision and Mission, the Arkansas Geographic Alliance values: 1) Pre K -

16 geographic education that abides by core and national standards and promotes geographic

literacy at all levels and disciplines of instruction; 2) professional preparation and development

that produces teachers well educated in geographic knowledge and pedagogy; and 3) public

awareness and support of geographic literacy through the involvement of state policy makers,

schools and school districts, businesses, communities, parents, and families.

Current Situation

For many years, the State Social Studies Frameworks required students in the 7th

or 8th

grades to

enroll in a World Regional Geography course. During those years, that was the only required

geography course in Arkansas. There were electives at the high school level and a few AP

Human Geography and AP World Regional courses were offered. In 2006, the State Social

Studies Frameworks were changed. The change resulted in the deletion of the required World

Regional Geography course. Additionally, the new Frameworks required that a social studies

course in grades K – 8 include four strands: geography, history, civics, and economics. There

were essentially no changes in geography courses in grades 9 – 12.

Since 2006, geography has been a strand in social studies courses. Each school district can

determine what that course is. In some districts, for example, in the 7th

and 8th

grades, the course

is called World History. Three major concerns have emerged since 2006. First, geography was

removed from the curriculum and integrated with civics, history, and economics. The worry is

that geography, and civics and economics, would be ignored while history would become the

dominant strand. Second, many teachers do not have a solid background in geography and

would, we think, naturally drift toward history, ignoring geography, civics, and economics. And

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third, the course content would be so heavily focused on history, that the other strands would be

ignored.

Scholastically, geography is under-appreciated, under-represented, and under-taught in Arkansas.

A new generation of students will perpetuate the lack of geographic knowledge that is so vital in

today’s world.

Finally, outside of academics and the schools, the business community is well aware of the need

for a geographically literate workforce, but as of 2012, they have not sufficiently influenced the

school curriculum to force geography to be placed back in the classroom in a more independent,

stand-alone way.

The Arkansas Geographic Alliance began in 1991. From then until 2010, the major focus was on

professional development for practicing teachers and teacher candidates. From 1991 to 2007, Dr.

Jerry Hanson, Professor Geography at the University of Arkansas-Little Rock, was the Alliance

Coordinator and Dr. Brooks Green, Professor of Geography at the University of Central

Arkansas, was Co-Coordinator. The Alliance office was hosted by the University of Arkansas-

Little, Rock. In 2007, Dr. Hanson retired and Dr. Brooks Green became the Alliance

Coordinator.

In 2010, the Alliance changed it focus as directed by the National Geographic Society. The focus

became strategic planning. A Planning Team was created; they attended Capacity Building

Courses; and, a consultant team was hired. By the end of 2011, the Strategic Plan had been

written and its implementation began in January 2011.

The current situation in the State regarding the lack of geography education provides a great

challenge and opportunity for the Arkansas Geographic Alliance as it attempts to enlist the help

of the business community and other interested organizations and institutions to reform

education in Arkansas so that geography is a core subject and taught as a separate subject at a

variety of grade levels. This Strategic Plan, as outlined below, will guide the Alliance into the

future as it attempts to promote improved geographic literacy and education.

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STRATEGIC GOAL #1: COMMUNICATE WITH AND ENGAGE

STAKEHOLDERS

Activity #1.1: Create a plan to regularly communicate with and engage stakeholders

Objective #1:

Regularly inform stakeholders about Alliance

Strategy #1: A copy of the AGA-Brief is sent to State Legislator every other month.

Strategy #2: A copy of the AGA-Brief is sent to all other stakeholders every month.

Strategy #3: A breakfast for State Legislators is held in early March of each year.

Strategy #4: Radio spots advertising the Alliance are played on KUAR each day. This is

reviewed by the Board each August for possible renewal or cancellation.

Strategy #5: Communicate each month with EAST, ACSS, Economics Arkansas, Economic

Development Commission, and others as identified.

Assessment Plan for Objective #1:

At each meeting of the Board, the Alliance Coordinator will report on each

strategy noting successes and concerns.

STRATEGIC GOAL #2: MEASURE GEOGRAPHIC LITERACY

Activity #2.1: Create a plan and measure geographic literacy in Arkansas among first semester college

freshmen.

Objective #1:

Annually measure the literacy rate of first semester college freshmen in order to track

improvement in geographic literacy to the 80% level.

Strategy #1:

The Alliance Board will prepare, review, and finalize a geographic assessment

instrument.

Strategy #2:

A plan will be developed to test the instrument.

Strategy #3:

The literacy assessment instrument will be tested in two high schools or at

university.

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Strategy #4:

In early August of each year, selected university professors will be contacted and

asked to assist with administration of the geo-literacy assessment.

Strategy #5:

During the first week of the fall semester, the assessment will be administered to

students in classrooms of selected university professors.

Strategy #6:

Following the administration of the assessment, the Alliance Board will collect,

analyze, and review the results and determine the score which will be used as the

baseline to measure geographic literacy.

Strategy #7:

The assessment will be given annually at selected universities to measure

improvement in geographic literacy as the Alliance works toward the 2025 goal.

Assessment Plan for Objective #1:

Each May the Alliance Board will review the geographic literacy instrument and

process. Based on that review, adjustments will be made to the instrument and/or

to the process.

STRATEGIC GOAL #3: ESTABLISH AN EFFICIENT

INFRASTRUCTURE

Activity #3.1:

Develop an efficient organizational structure for the Arkansas Geographic Alliance.

Objective #1:

To create an efficient operational plan and organizational structure

Strategy #1:

Alliance Board meetings will be held in January, May, and September of each

year.

Strategy #2:

The Alliance Board will review the activity of each Board member and

recommend replacements as necessary.

Assessment Plan for Objective #1:

At the final Board meeting of each year, the Alliance Board will reflect on

previous meetings to determine successes, adjustments, and future modifications.

Sub Activity #1: The Alliance Board will specify how the Alliance should best be partnered with the University of

Central Arkansas (UCA).

Objective #1:

A formal relationship will be developed with the host institution-currently, the University

of Central Arkansas.

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Strategy #1:

The Director of the University of Central Arkansas Foundation will create a

Memorandum of Understanding that recommends its relationship with the

Arkansas Geographic Alliance.

Strategy #2:

The Alliance Coordinator will meet with officials of the UCA Foundation to

discuss its relationship to the Alliance.

Strategy #3:

After The Memorandum of Understanding is reviewed by the Alliance Board, it

will be signed and become official.

Assessment Plan for Objective #1:

At the May meeting of the Alliance Board, the Memorandum of Understanding

with UCA will be reviewed.

Sub Activity #2:

Develop a Coordinator transition plan.

Objective #1:

The Alliance Board will create a plan that will guide the transition when a Coordinator

steps down.

Strategy #1:

Following an announced resignation, the Alliance Board and National

Geographic Officials will begin a discussion about an Alliance Coordinator

transition.

Strategy #2:

The discussion about an Alliance Coordinator transition will continue until the

next Coordinator has been identified.

Strategy #3:

The plan will enable the Coordinator transition to occur seemlessly.

Activity #3.2:

Develop a financial plan that will guide the Arkansas Geographic Alliance toward financial

sustainability.

Objective #1: To enable long-term financial sustainability

Strategy #1:

The Alliance Board examines annual expenditures at its April Board meeting and

makes recommendations regarding expenditures for the next fiscal year based on

National Geographic Education Foundation guidelines.

Strategy #2:

A proposed budget is prepared during April of each year. The Alliance

Coordinator aligns the budget with NGEF guidelines and submits the proposed

budget.

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Strategy #3:

If the budget proposal to NGEF is successful, the Alliance Coordinator reports

that to the Board in July or August of each year.

Strategy #4:

In September of each year, the Alliance Board reviews the budget for that fiscal

year and notes “deliverables” in the NGEF contact.

Strategy #5:

The Alliance Board discusses funding options at each of its meetings.

Strategy #6:

A plan to secure annul funding from the state is created.

Assessment Plan for Objective #1:

At the end of each fiscal year, normally August 31, the Alliance Board reviews

expenditures and makes recommendations for improvement, re-allocation, and

future funding options, etc.

Activity #3.3:

Incorporate Technology into Alliance Operations

Objective #1:

To enable the Alliance to function effectively and efficiently

Strategy #1:

The Alliance Board will identify and create a list of potential technologies to be

utilized in the operations of the Alliance.

Strategy #2: The Alliance Board will incorporate identified technologies into the operation of

the Alliance.

Assessment Plan for Objective #1:

At the January meeting of the Alliance Board reviews technologies incorporated

into its operation.

Activity #3.4:

Develop a plan to increase the membership of the Arkansas Geographic Alliance by 2% annually

Objective #1:

To provide more exposure and build a larger labor force

Strategy #1:

The Alliance Board will discuss potential ways to increase the Alliance

membership.

Strategy #2:

The Alliance Board will decide upon a method to increase Alliance membership.

Strategy #3:

The Alliance Board will create a plan focused on the method chosen to increase

Alliance membership.

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Strategy #4:

The Alliance Board will implement the plan to increase Alliance membership.

Assessment Plan for Objective #1:

The Alliance Board will review Alliance membership data to determine the

growth rate of the Alliance. Based on that review, additional discussions and

plans will be made to continue the Alliance membership growth.

STRATEGIC GOAL #4: PROVIDE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

AND OTHER PROGRAMS

Activity #4.1:

The Arkansas Geographic Alliance will create a series of professional development programs of

different types to reach key stakeholders including practicing teachers, teacher candidates, social

studies methods professors, geography professors, parents, community and business leaders, and

leaders of potential partners such the Arkansas Council for the Social Studies, Project Citizen,

and Environment and Spatial Technology (EAST).

Objective #1: To improve geographic knowledge and improve pedagogy

Strategy #1:

In January of each year, the Alliance Coordinator will contact each Education

Service Co-op in Arkansas to determine their workshop needs as related to geo-

literacy.

Strategy # 2

A workshop will be held annually for practicing teachers and teacher candidates.

Strategy #3:

A leadership workshop for the Alliance Board and selected teacher leaders will be

held as needed.

Strategy #4:

A workshop will be held annually for parents of homeschooled students.

Strategy #5:

A workshop will be held annually for teachers in Private Schools.

Strategy #6:

A workshop will be held annually for teachers of AP Human Geography.

Assessment Plan for Objective #1:

At the first Alliance Board meeting of each year, a report will be given regarding

the types and numbers of programs that were delivered and a discussion will be

held regarding successes and potential adjustments.

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STRATEGIC GOAL #5: ESTABLISH PARTNERSHIPS THAT WILL

CONTRIBUTE TO EDUCATIONAL REFORM

Activity #5.1:

The Arkansas Geographic Alliance will develop partnerships with organizations that have an

interest in geographic literacy and geography education, and where it would be to both the

Alliance’s and their advantage to partner to 1) research and/or share information; 2) design

programs; 3) promote Alliance programs, 4) distribute Alliance programs, and 5) work together

to reform geography education.

Objective #1:

To broaden support for geographic literacy and education

Strategy #1:

The Alliance Board will meet to identify organizations or institutions with which

it might develop partnerships.

Strategy #2:

The Alliance Board will create teams of leaders and Alliance members who will

be assigned the responsibility of contacting and meeting with the leadership of

organizations or institutions that might partner with the Alliance.

Strategy #3:

A schedule will be created so that all leaders of potential partners will have a one-

on-one meeting with at least one Alliance representative.

Strategy #4:

Alliance teams will report back to the Alliance leadership regarding partnership

development and recommend next steps.

Strategy #5:

Alliance Board and members will create a plan that will address the next steps

that will lead to the development of partnerships.

Strategy #6:

Alliance Board will design a communication format so that members will remain

in constant contact with partners and involve them as much as possible in the plan

to improve geographic literacy in Arkansas.

Assessment Plan for Objective #1:

The Alliance Board will ask for a report on identified partner organizations and

institutions.

Activity #5.2:

Develop a plan in cooperation with partner institutions that will lead to a reformed school

curriculum that includes geography as a key subject.

Objective #1:

To improve geographic literacy among students

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Strategy #1:

The Alliance will partner with the Director of the State Geographic Bee each year

to promote the Alliance and geo-literacy.

Strategy #2:

Discussions will occur with selected partners about a plan to reform the education

curriculum in Arkansas so that geography plays a much more important role.

Strategy #3:

A plan to reform the education curriculum in Arkansas will be developed during

the final 5 months of 2014.

Assessment Plan for Objective #1:

The Alliance and its partners will assess each phase of the process which led to

the plan to reform geography education. Adjustments, modifications, and

corrections will be made during the process as indicated by the assessment.

Evaluation Plan

The Evaluation Plan essentially consists of two components: 1) formative evaluations are

conducted for each objective in each Focus Area, and 2) a summative evaluation of the

components of the entire Strategic Plan is made toward the end of the implementation period.

Each objective is evaluated within a short time of its completion to determine how successful the

Alliance was in meeting that objective. These are monthly or at least bi-monthly evaluations.

Reports on each evaluation will be given at the Alliance Leadership meeting following the date

when the objective was to be met. These formative evaluations occur at regular intervals during

the implementation of the Strategic Plan and act as milestones as we move through the Strategic

Plan period. These milestone evaluations will enable the Alliance to make mid-course

corrections to the Strategic Plan; a dynamic document.

The summative evaluation conducted at the end of the Strategic Plan period will be supervised

by Dr. Nancy Gallavan, a specialist in assessment and evaluation. This evaluation will enable to

Alliance to determine how well we met all objectives. And, the summative evaluation will

provide guidance as the Alliance looks forward to the next time period when another Strategic

Plan will have to be developed.

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APPENDIX

A. Strategic Plan Chronology

B. Organizational Structure

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Strategic Plan Chronology (Revised)

January 2013 Send AGA-Brief to ALL stakeholders

January 2013 Contact education co-ops for PD needs

February 2013 Prepare/review assessment instrument

February 2013 Send AGA-Brief – not legislators

February 2013 Sponsor breakfast for state legislators

February 2013 Hold Board meeting

March 2013 Send AGA-Brief to ALL stakeholders

March 2013 Assessment instrument finalized

March 2013 Examine budget options for next fiscal year

March 2013 KUAR radio spots

March 2013 Communicate with partners

April 2013 Send AGA-Brief – not legislators

April 2013 Develop a plan to test instrument

April 2013 Discussion about Coordinator transition

April 2013 Conduct workshop for practicing teachers and teacher candidates

April 2013 Leadership workshop for Board and others

April 2013 Assist with State Geographic Bee

April 2013 Prepare budget for next fiscal year

April 2013 KUAR radio spots

April 2013 Communicate with partners

May 2013 Send AGA-Brief to ALL stakeholders

May 2013 Assessment instrument tested

May 2013 Discussion about Coordinator transition

May 2013 Discuss ways to increase Alliance membership

May 2013 Leadership workshop for Board and others, brief Board meeting

May 2013 KUAR radio spots

May 2013 Communicate with partners

June 2013 Send AGA-Brief – not legislators

June 2013 Identify high schools (universities) to administer assessment

June 2013 Discussion about Coordinator transition

June 2013 Create a plan to increase Alliance membership

June 2013 Replace inactive Board members

June 2013 KUAR radio spots

June 2013 Communicate with partners

July 2013 Send AGA-Brief to ALL stakeholders

July 2013 Plan created for Coordinator transition

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July 2013 Implement the plan to increase Alliance membership

July 2013 KUAR radio spots

July 2013 Communicate with partners

August 2013 Send AGA-Brief – not legislators

August 2013 Administer assessment (incoming college freshmen?)

August 2013 Plan created for Coordinator transition

August 2013 Conduct workshop for parents of home schooled students

August 2013 KUAR radio spots

August 2013 Communicate with partners

September 2013 Send AGA-Brief to ALL stakeholders

September 2013 Coordinator transition takes place

September 2013 Hold Board meeting

September 2013 Review use of technology

September 2013 KUAR radio spots

September 2013 Communicate with partners

October 2013 Send AGA-Brief – not legislators

October 2013 KUAR radio spots

October 2013 Review the success of increasing Alliance membership

October 2013 Workshop for Private School teachers

October 2103 Communicate with partners

November 2013 Send AGA-Brief to ALL legislators

November 2013 KUAR radio spots

November 2013 Workshop for AP Human Geography teachers

November 2013 Communicate with partners

December 2013 Send AGA-Brief – not legislators

December 2013 Review continuation of KUAR radio spots

December 2013 Communicate with partners

January 2014 Send AGA-Brief to ALL stakeholders

January 2014 Contact education co-ops for PD needs

January 2014 Discuss education reform with partners

January 2014 Board meeting

February 2014 Send AGA-Brief – not legislators

February 2014 Discuss education reform with partners

March 2014 Send AGA-Brief to ALL stakeholders

March 2014 Discuss education reform with partners

April 2014 Send AGA-Brief – not legislators

April 2014 Discuss education reform with partners

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April 2014 Review plan to increase Alliance membership

April 2014 Conduct workshop for practicing teachers and teacher candidates

April 2014 Assist with State Geographic Bee

May 2014 Send AGA-Brief to ALL stakeholders

May 2014 Administer assessment to schools

May 2014 Discuss education reform with partners

May 2014 Hold Board meeting

June 2014 Send AGA-Brief – not legislators

June 2014 Discuss education reform with partners

July 2014 Send AGA-Brief to ALL stakeholders

July 2014 Discuss education reform with partners

July 2014 Planning Team begin to consider next 3-year strategic plan

August 2014 Send AGA-Brief – not legislators

August 2014 Create plan to reform geography education

August 2014 Administer geographic literacy assement

August 2014 Conduct workshop for parents of home school students

August 2014 Planning Team works on next 3-year strategic plan

September 2014 Send AGA-Brief to ALL legislators

September 2014 Create plan to reform geography education

September 2014 Review use of technology

September 2014 Hold Board meeting

September 2014 Planning Team presents first draft of next 3-year strategic plan

October 2014 Send AGA-Brief – not legislators

October 2014 Create plan to reform geography education

October 2014 Review plan to increase Alliance membership

October 2014 Planning Team revises next 3-year strategic plan

October 2014 Workshop for Private School teachers

November 2014 Send AGA-Brief to ALL stakeholders

November 2014 Create plan to reform geography education

November 2014 Planning Team submits final draft of next 3-year strategic plan

November 2014 Workshop for AP Human Geography teachers

December 2014 Send AGA-Brief – not legislators

December 2014 Create plan to reform geography education

December 2014 Strategic Plan for 2015 – 2017 is adopted

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A. Organizational Structure of the Arkansas Geographic Alliance

Dr. Brooks Green

Coordinator

Dr. Nancy Gallavan

Board Member

Karen Davis

Board Member

Lori Delk

Board Member

Julie Hill

Board Member

?

Board Member

Ben Lykins

Board Member

Hans Haustein

Board Member

Barry Reed

Board Member

?

Board Member

?

Board Member

Tanya Reddin

Board Member

?

Board Member

Dr. Mounir Farah

Board Member

Kayla Gustafson

Board Member

Teacher Candidates

Conferences and

Workshops

Curriculum and

Assessment

AP Human

Geography

Symposia

Conferences and

Workshops

Community

Liaison

State Education

Policy and

Community

College

Consultant

Charter School

Consultant and

Liaison

Graduate

Assistant

Assistant to the

Coordinator

Grant Research

and Writing

Social Studies

Methods

Consultant

Teacher

Leadership

Development

Practicing Teachers

Conferences and

Workshops

Private School

Consultant and

Liaison

Geographic Bee

Geography

Awareness Week

Teacher Consultant

Development

Geography Student

Liaison

Step up for

Geography

Business

Community

Consultant and

Liaison

Partnership

Cooperation and

Development

Parent, Family, and

Home School

Consultant and

Liaison

Social Studies

Teacher Candidate

Consultant and

Liaison

Coordinator’s Responsibilities – NGS Liaison,

Administration and Operation, Budget Management,

Fundraising, Communication, Technology, Policy

Initiatives, Regional Representatives, Education Service

Co-ops

Strategic Goals: 2012 - 2014

1. Communicate with and Engage Stakeholders 2. Measure Geographic Literacy 3. Establish an Efficient Infrastructure 4. Provide Professional Development and Other Programs 5. Establish Partnerships that will Contribute to Educational Reform

Regional

Representatives

Teacher

Consultants

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