School improvement planning is more than a plan, it is a framework for change--a map that identifies the school’s destination and requires both decision-making and action from a variety of stakeholders to reach that destination in the most direct route. As Dr. Sam Redding wrote in The Mega System Handbook, “High-functioning schools and schools cited for their effectiveness do the right things, do them continuously, and always look for ways to improve. Schools that fail with comprehensive school reform do so not for lack of resources, other than time, but for want of determination and internal discipline.” North Carolina Schools are required to submit a School Improvement Plan (SIP) to the local board of education for review; approval is required by federal and state regulations (Public Law 107-110, the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, section 1101 et seq., and Article 8B School Based Management & Accountability Program) to improve student performance. The plan shall remain in effect for no more than two years (e.g. FY 2016 to FY 2018); however, the plan can be amended as often as is necessary or appropriate. NCDPI Website: http://www.dpi.state.nc.us/program-monitoring/planning/