• What is Comprehensive Planning?

    The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) requires school districts, which are also known as Local Educational Agencies or LEAs, to conduct Comprehensive Planning. PDE provides a comprehensive planning process for school districts to use when formulating their school district comprehensive plans.

    Comprehensive planning provides for “continuous improvement of leadership, teaching, and learning is critically important to ensuring that all students have access to a world-class education that prepares them for college, career, and life.  Pennsylvania’s cycle of improvement is grounded in evidence-based approaches that can both improve student outcomes and increase return on investment, as resources are spent on programs and practices likely to have a positive impact.  Opportunities to create, assess, and adjust throughout the cycle empowers local education agencies and schools to engage all stakeholders in pursuit of a shared vision for student success,” according to the PDE website (https://www.education.pa.gov/Teachers%20-%20Administrators/Comprehensive%20Planning/Pages/default.aspx).

    Chapter 4 of the Pennsylvania School Code requires school districts to submit an updated comprehensive plan to the Secretary of Education every 3 years for approval. Prior to submitting the district’s draft plan to PDE for approval, the draft plan must be made available to the public for a 28-day period to allow for public inspection/review and comment.

    How to Submit Public Comments on the Draft PMSD Comprehensive Plan for 2024-2027:

    Pocono Mountain School District (PMSD) residents and community members wishing to make public comments on the district’s Draft PMSD Comprehensive Plan for 2024-2027 and/or support documents linked below, should submit their comments to humanresources@pmsd.org no later than midnight on Thursday, February 8, 2024.

    Links to Access the Draft PMSD Comprehensive Plan for 2024-2027 & Supporting Documents:

    PMSD Comprehensive Plan for 2024-2027

    Academic Standards and Assessment Requirements (Chapter 4) for 2024-2027

    Student Services Assurances (Chapter 12) for 2024-2027

    Gifted Education Plan Assurances (Chapter 16) for 2024-2027

    Induction Plan (Chapter 49) for 2024-2027

    Professional Development Plan (Act 48) for 2024-2027