STRATEGIC PLAN
GOALS and Sample Activities/Objectives
Adopted February 12, 1998

These 1992-93 STRATEGIC PLAN Goals were reviewed and revised by the Representative Board during 1996-97. Following dissemination of the proposed revised Goals via the Regional Representatives and MADSEC NEWS & VIEWS, the Representative Board formally adopted them on 3/14/97.

The SAMPLE ACTIVITIES/OBJECTIVES were developed in a work session during the Representative Board meetings on 4/18/97 (Revised Goal 1) and 9/19/97 (Revised Goals 2-7). The draft of the results of those work sessions was distributed to the Rep. Bd. prior to the 10/17/97 meeting. Minor revisions were made by the Exec. Dir. in format, "collapsing" of recommendations, insertion of cross references, consistent style, etc. No content substance was removed. Following discussion which included amending some language, the following Sample Activities/Objectives were adopted by the Representative Board on 2/12/98.

GOAL 1

MADSEC will take a leadership role in advocating for the provision of appropriate services for all children.

• Continue MADSEC's role in advocating services for all children at the local level.
• Continue MADSEC's role in advocating for services for children before the Legislature.
• Continue ongoing active collaboration with other agencies and organizations (see also Goal 4).

GOAL 2

MADSEC will provide ongoing professional development opportunities for special education administration personnel.

• Develop a mechanism through the Professional Development Committee (Program Committee) to determine major professional development needs of special education administrative personnel (i.e., through systematic data collection such as surveys, program review, certification support plans, new developments in the field, etc.).
• Provide opportunities for relevant and timely topics for professional development (e.g., Fall Conference, Winter Conference, Directors' Academy, etc.).
• Strengthen and maintain peer support/collegial support activities (see also Goal 3).
• Establish an annual plan for professional development and disseminate to membership at the MADSEC Annual Meeting.
• Collaborate with other professional organizations on professional development activities where appropriate (see also Goal 4).
• Encourage, support and assist in the establishment of regional professional development activities.

GOAL 3

MADSEC will provide opportunities for collegial support and technical assistance.

• Request all directors to respond each spring to a needs survey related to technical assistance and staff development for the purpose of planning the New Directors' Orientation and "retooling" sessions for experienced directors.
• Establish and disseminate a database by the fall of each year of people/organizations/agencies willing to provide technical assistance, (i.e., due process, SERT, chairing PETs, developing IEPs, residential placements, etc.).
• Evaluate the use of the technical assistance resource list through a survey by spring of each year.
• Ensure that a New Directors' Orientation takes place on an annual basis.
• Encourage regional groups to provide a mentorship program for new directors.
• Promote use of DOE FirstClass and the Internet.

GOAL 4

MADSEC will collaborate with other professional organizations.

• Maintain a system of on-going collaboration with and among providers of educational services, to help all children achieve high standards, with organizations such as:
• Maine Adult Education Association
• Maine Association of Middle Level Educators
• Maine Association for Supervision & Curriculum Development
• Maine Association of Vocational Education Administrators
• Maine Center for Education Services
• Maine Chamber and Business Alliance
• Maine Coalition for Excellence in Education
• Maine Committee on Transition
• Maine Department of Education
• Maine Development Foundation
• Maine Disabilities Coalition (and member groups)
• Maine Education Association
• Maine Leadership Consortium
• Maine Math & Science Alliance
• Maine Parent Federation/SPIN
• Maine Parent-Teachers Association
• Maine Principals' Association
• Maine School Boards Association
• Maine School Counselors Association
• Maine School Superintendents' Association
• Maine State Board of Education
• Maine Technical College System
• New England Coalition of Educational Leaders, ME Chapter
• Univ. of Maine System, Office of Professional Education Development
• Promote a dialogue with agencies and organizations serving children (i.e., DHS, DMHMRSAS, etc.) for the purpose of improving services to children.
• Develop a resource bank for educators to assist them in locating educational and other services available to children.
• Develop a system to disseminate this information.
• Develop an organizational diagram annually to reflect current status of committee structure, liaisons, and relationships to other organizations

GOAL 5

MADSEC will plan toward financial independence.

• Continue to promote utilization of in-kind, in-state resources for professional development activities.
• Research and seek grant/foundation resources to permit the organization to carry out its mission.
• Continue the Directors' Academy as an ongoing regional/national resource model that will generate financial revenues from out-of-state attendance.
• Explore advertising and sponsorships as financial resources.
• Expand the marketing efforts of the Association to broaden the membership, subscriptions and conference participation.
• Continue efficient use of revenues to reduce overall expenditures of the organization.
• Conduct an annual review of dues to reflect services and needs of the organization.

GOAL 6

MADSEC will develop policies, procedures, and activities which will increase membership and support increased participation and commitment to the goals of the organization.

• Develop strategies to ensure statewide participation on the MADSEC Representative Board and Executive Committee.
• Encourage general member involvement
• Encourage active participation in regional group meetings
• Enhance the Resource Center to increase availability and accessibility

GOAL 7

MADSEC will research and publish information on current special education issues.

• Generate press releases to other organizations on current issues and topics MADSEC is researching.
• Identify topics and establish task forces that focus on issues that ultimately lead to publications that could be used by practitioners. Such topics could include:
• Financing special education
• Realities of out-of-district placement
• Ethical dilemmas for the special education administrator
• Special education administrator as a K-12 administrator
• Advocacy vs. reality vs. special education
• Behavior
• Autism
• Speech/Language
• Model policies
• Publish a newsletter/professional journal at least three times per year