The following document is the Strategic Plan for the Association of American Schools of South America. The material included represents the input of member AASSA schools who participated in the AASSA member workshop that was held September 18 -19, 2003 in Miami as well as subsequent follow-up opportunity for member school input encouraged through e-mail contributions and the AASSA meeting held in December, 2003 in Nashville.
This document was approved by member schools at the AASSA meeting held in San Francisco during the AAIE Conference in February, 2004.
AASSA Mission Statement
The Mission of the Association of American Schools of South America is to provide and promote programs and services to member schools to enhance the quality of American International Education.
To achieve this mission the following goals are established:
1) Promotion of regular and effective communication with member schools
2) Promotion and organization of professional development opportunities
3) Provision of on-going student activities and services
4) Provision of school support services
5) Insurance of effective organizational development
Achievement of Mission
A. COMMUNICATIONS - AASSA will develop and implement a comprehensive
communications plan for its member schools.
Performance Indicator: Regular and effective communications will be maintained between AASSA and its member schools.
Action Plan:
1) A trimester hard-copy newsletter will be started and published in the months of September, January, and April of each calendar year.
2) An improved and expanded website will be developed starting in the 2003-2004 school year and updated regularly. The website will include announcement of upcoming events, information on member schools, teacher chat / sharing forum, etc.
3) Direct links will be established to school web sites replacing current individual school profiles.
4) An annual survey will be designed and distributed to member schools to determine level of satisfaction with AASSA services, needs, etc.
5) Upon completion of an AASSA sponsored conference or seminar, a follow-up review will be provided to all member school directors via e-mail from the AASSA Executive Director.
6) With the collaboration and confirmation of member schools, a tentative list of dates and sites for upcoming AASSA conferences will be created and published. This tentative rotation list will be defined over a 3-year period.
7) Orientation packets will be designed and distributed to all new AASSA school directors to better facilitate their understanding of the role of AASSA and also assist them in their roles as directors of schools within the AASSA region. These packets will include a letter of welcome from the AASSA Executive Director and AASSA Board President.
B. PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Performance Indicator: A strong, high quality staff development emphasis will continue to be the focus of AASSA conferences and seminars offered to member schools throughout the school year.
Action Plan:
1) Additional grant funding will be sought to enable the coordination and contracting of three professional consultants per year through the region under a "circuit rider" scheme.
2) Efforts will be taken to encourage the suggestions and input from member schools regarding the venue and program for the annual AASSA Conference.
3) The Counselors and Librarians strands of the AASSA Conference will be maintained but rotated on annual basis.
4) The inclusion of a strand for Athletic Directors and Activities Coordinators will be sought as part of the annual AASSA Conference.
5) A list of all past consultants AASSA has employed in previous AASSA Conferences will be published on the AASSA website.
6) A follow-up report and pertinent information will be posted on the AASSA website following the annual AASSA Conference.
7) Continued support will be given to holding an AASSA Directors meeting in conjunction with the annual SACS Conference.
8) The annual Board Chair / School Head workshop held in Miami will be continued and efforts will be taken to encourage greater participation on the part of all member AASSA schools.
9) The annual OMNI Workshop will continue to be organized and sponsored by AASSA for member schools. Non-member schools will also be encouraged to participate but for an additional registration fee.
C. STUDENT ACTIVITIES / SERVICES
Performance Indicator: AASSA will provide on-going student activities and support services throughout the school year to member schools. These activities and services will be determined by a consensus of member schools.
Action Plan:
1) Information will be provided to member schools on an "Association-wide basis" to include orientation and organization material regarding Knowledge Bowl competition, Music Festival, Drama and Forensics event, MUN, etc.
2) AASSA schools that have already hosted an event and/or have staff members who have organized a student event will be encouraged to submit information that can be used in the publication of orientation and organization manuals for member school use.
3) U.S. grant support will be sought to organize a possible workshop for elaborating and developing such a manual.
4) Student activities and services will be included on agenda at future AASSA Directors' meeting for further discussion on scope and definition of type of services desired by member schools.
D. ORGANIZATION DEVELOPMENT
Performance Indicator: AASSA will develop a Strategic Plan that will involve the participation and review of all member schools and be employed as a decision-making tool for future definition of the organization.
Action Plan:
1) The Mission Statement, reviewed and rewritten in September, 2003 will be adhered to and periodically reexamined to ensure it is in compliance with the Strategic Plan.
2) The goal will be to complete the Strategic Plan for presentation to member schools at the AASSA meeting in February, 2004.
3) A close partnership will continue to be maintained with the Office of Overseas Schools.
4) AASSA Conference organization and venue will involve the collaborative participation of both the AASSA Executive Director and staff and the host school.
5) A close link will be maintained between AASSA and SACS.
6) Initiatives will be launched to ensure better marketing of AASSA and its services to
member schools.7) The costs of AASSA and its services will be reviewed regularly to ensure efficient use of
resources, sound financial management, and need for additional or other sources of
revenue.8) A Strategic Financial Plan will be developed to address future of AASSA.
E. SCHOOL SUPPORT SERVICES
Performance Indicator: An array of support services are made available
to all member schools throughout the school year. These services will be
determined by a consensus of member schools and the AASSA Executive Director
and Board of Directors.
Action Plan:
1) Support services will be provided to member schools that encompass both school and regional needs.
2) Current purchasing, payroll, and shipment services will be continued but periodically
reviewed to determine cost effectiveness, efficiency, and scope of operations for participating schools.3) The venue for the annual AASSA recruitment fair will be reviewed for effectiveness and
the fair moved on an experimental basis to coincide with the annual SACS Conference.4) The current annual Tuition and Salary Survey distributed to member schools will be continued but its present format will be reviewed.