Vision+vs.+Mission

Vision Statement
Recently an even more global term has been coined to describe what the organization does. Designed to point the organization to a more distant future, this term has been called a vision statement. A vision statement guides the organization to a better world. This statements is of a rather grand order and describes what the organization would like to work towards and how it can contribute. Although a vision statement may be constructed to be something like a blue-sky wish, it must conform to the area of responsibility of the organization. The vision statement can not deal with all of the problems of the work, but must confine itself to education, as in the case of the school system. A vision statement is something everyone concerned with the organization would like to see in the future. The following is an example of a vision statement developed by a state board of education: //Vision Statement--Every child can learn. Each child has unique talents that our schools must identify and develop. The Commonwealth's most important investment in the present and in the future is to provide for all its children an education based upon excellence and equity.// This statement identifies two general areas in which that particular organization would like to see the state move, i.e., excellence and equity. Both of these qualities are worthwhile and need to be included in the vision people have of a good school system. This vision statements is also global in that it addresses the future state of education.

Mission Statement
The mission statement is much different from the vision statement, as well as from the philosophy, goal, or purpose statements that are frequently used. Where a vision statement points the organization to the future, the mission statement explains what the organization is all about. Likewise, the mission statement does not address goals of the organization specifically, nor the belief system in operation in the schools, nor the goals towards which the school system is working. The mission statement may be akin to the purpose statement in that the mission of a school system also is its purpose. The purpose and the mission statements may, in fact, be the same thing, however, the term "mission statement" seems to be in favor with educators today. The mission statement of a school system must answer the twin questions of why this organization was formed and what it is supposed to do. In essence, the mission statement cites the legal basis of the organization of the school system. In all states, the legislature has created local schools for a specific purpose--to provide an appropriate education for all the youth of the community. That is, indeed, the purpose and mission of the local school system rather than to maintain law and order, such as the sheriff's department, or to provide recreational services, which is the responsibility of the recreation department. But the local school system, as represented by the school board, may also wish to express the type of educational program to be offered in the community based upon the needs of the people to be served. In that case, the mission statement must also reflect this local school. A mission statement of a state board of public education is shown below. This statement alludes to the state constitution as the source of authority and power for the board, but the statement also addresses the specific work of the board as that body sees it. The specific mission statement should be read in conjunction with the vision statement cited above: //Mission Statement--The mission of the Board of education is to ensure for all children in the Commonwealth an education that enables them to become informed and productive citizens in a democratic society. In keeping with Article viii of the Constitution of the State, the Board establishes standards of quality, subject to revision only by the General Assembly, and exercises general supervision of the public school system. The Board has primary responsibility and authority for establishing educational policy. To that end, the Board provides leadership and actively involves citizens and school systems in formulating the policies necessary to meet its educational commitment.//

(The following excerpts are from //**Schooling by Design: Mission, Action, and Achievement**//), by Grant Wiggins and Jay McTighe:

The school's mission statement describes the essence of what the school as a community of learners is seeking to achieve. The expectations for student learning are based on and drawn from the school's mission statement. These expectations are the fundamental goals by which the school continually assesses the effectiveness of the teaching and learning process. Every component of the school community must focus on enabling all students to achieve the school's expectations for student learning. - - - What is the particular mission of school? What learning is school in business to achieve? There have been as many answers as educators throughout history, of course. but we narrow the responses dramatically if we ask a more practical analytic question: in general, how might we categorize the long-term educational accomplishments that schools have said historically they are in business to achieve? That question generates only a handful of categories and we summarize them as follows:
 * 1) The mission statement and expectations for student learning shall be developed by the school community and approved and supported by the professional staff, the school board, and any other schoolwide governing organization.
 * 2) The school's mission statement shall represent the school community's fundamental values and beliefs about student learning.
 * 3) The school shall define schoolwide academic, civic, and social learning expectations that
 * are measurable;
 * reflect the school's mission
 * 1) For each academic expectation in the mission the school shall have a targeted level of successful achievement identified in a rubric.
 * 2) The school shall have indicators by which it assesses the school's progress in achieving schoolwide civic and social expectations.
 * 3) The mission statement and the school's expectations for student learning shall guide the procedures, policies, and decisions of the school and shall be evident in the culture of the school.
 * 4) The school shall review regularly the mission statement and expectations for student learning using a variety of data to ensure that they reflect student needs, community expectations, the district mission, and state and national standards.
 * Academic excellence and intellectual preparation for higher education
 * The development of mature habits of mind and attitudes
 * Artistic and aesthetic ability and sensitivity
 * Health, wellness, and athletic development
 * Character--mature social, civic, and ethical conduct
 * Personal skill development and professional direction

More specifically, a scan of hundred of mission statements reveals that three long-term aims predominate: "lifelong learning," "critical and creative thinking," and "productive contributions to society." Here are some typical mission statements:

//The mission of LaVace Stewart Elementary School is to form a partnership with parents and the community to prepare our diverse population of students to become lifelong learners in a nurturing, safe environment with high expectations so they will become responsible, productive citizens in an ever-changing society.//

//Bremen High School aims to develop students who//
 * //Exhibit creative and critical thinking.//
 * //Develop self-esteem, pride, and respect for themselves and others.//
 * //Find a balance between academic success and involvement in extracurricular activities.//
 * //Adapt to a continually changing technological world.//
 * //Demonstrate the democratic living skills of consensus building and group problem solving in order to become active citizens in their community.//
 * //Span the transition from competent student to productive, responsible citizen.//
 * //Understand the value of education and the need for lifelong learning.//

//The mission of the West Windsor-Plainsboro Regional School District, valuing our tradition of excellence, it to develop all of our students as passionate, confident, lifelong learners who have competence and strength of character to realize their aspirations and thoughtfully contribute to a diverse and changing world.//

//The mission of the Memphis City Schools is to prepare all children to be successful citizens and workers in the 21st century. This will include educating them to read with comprehension, write clearly, compute accurately, think, reason, and use information to solve problems.//

These statements can be reduced to one encompassing sentence: //Schools exist to cause learning that is intellectually vital, generative of future self-directed learning, personally meaningful and productive, and socially valuable//. We are claiming that what any valid mission statement should do is summarize what an education is meant to help the learner achieve over the long haul, in and beyond school. It should summarize the worthy student accomplishments we are dedicated to causing over time outside our individual classrooms above all else. A mission is a commitment to a few priority results, from which some concrete pedagogical implications logically follow.

A **vision** is what we would see if our goals were achieved. A vision is an essential component in turning an inherently abstract mission statement into concrete policy and practice. In other words, a vision is not a hopelessly idealistic dream of a world that will never be, but a picture of the world we seek to build--the equivalent of an architect's blueprint or an athlete's mental image of the upcoming performance.

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The purpose of Troy High School is to ensure learning for all members of the THS community.
 * Troy High School Mission Statement**

Troy High School will become an exemplary learning community that supports innovation and is committed to continuous improvement. THS will address the academic, social, emotional, and physical needs of its learners. Troy High School will be a place where a collaborative community develops curriculum, instructional strategies, and assessment to ensure all students learn.
 * Troy High School Vision Statement**

The purpose of the Troy School District is to ensure learning for all members of the school community.
 * TSD Mission Statement**

The Troy School District will become an exemplary learning community that supports innovation and is committed to continuous improvement. The Troy School District will be a place where a collaborative community develops curriculum, instructional strategies, and assessment to ensure all students learn.
 * TSD Vision Statement**

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