1. The mission of the
Kishwaukee Education
Consortium is to provide a
safe and challenging
academic environment
where students develop the
necessary skills to become
responsible citizens and
life-long learners.

2. The strategic plan process for the Kishwaukee Education Consortium began
in the summer of 2010. The initial stages of the plan involved over forty
people from community businesses, local service organizations, member
school districts, Kishwaukee College and the Kishwaukee Education
Consortium staff and students. The process was put into place to develop a
vision of where we want to move as a career and technical education
program over the next five years.
The first step in the strategic plan process was to develop a mission
statement. The components of the Kishwaukee Education Consortium
mission statement would be a guide from which we would construct the
strategic plan. The contents of the strategic plan will be the foundation for
all future decision making. The plan includes the understanding of an
incessantly changing world. It also takes into consideration the evolution of
technology, as well as the cultural and demographic shifts in the
communities of our sending schools.
A special thanks to the Kishwaukee Education Consortium Board for a
commitment to career and technical education and to Kishwaukee College
for their continual support of our programs in an effort to help students in
our communities become career and college ready.
Tom Crouch, Executive Director
Kishwaukee Education Consortium

3. Student Profile
The following are characteristics that a KEC student will have in order to
excel and contribute in their community
Personal Skills
Accepting of Others Ethical
Communicator Honest
Community Awareness Life-long Learner
Conflict Resolution Positive Attitude
Creative Respectful
Critical Thinker Sense of Humor
Emotionally Intelligent Volunteer
Employability Skills
Accountable Intrinsically Motivated
Adaptable Real-World Ready
Appropriately Skilled/In Area Resilient
Dependable Team Player
Independent Technological

4. GOAL 1
Provide programs that meet the needs of the
sending schools and business community
Objectives:
1.1) KEC Director, Special Projects Coordinator & other KEC Administrators
increase dialogue with community businesses, local chambers and sending
schools about current and future employment opportunities
1.2) Enhance job-shadowing for students which leads to connection with
community businesses
1.3) Explore new EIP opportunities for staff which connects staff with community
1.4) Expand ideas and events for Linking Leaders
1.5) Continue KETCP committee
1.6) Establish Advisory Committees for all programs

5. GOAL 2
Develop assessment tool to evaluate whether
classes/programs are meeting needs of the students to
prepare them for the workforce and/or college
Objectives:
2.1) Implement evaluation tool for staff
2.2) Create student surveys to help instructors assess their teaching
2.3) Involve community partners for advisory committees and obtain input for
programs/curriculum
2.4) Evaluate data from certification materials and results
2.5) Get all programs eligible to have students compete in SKILLS USA
2.6) Create comprehensive exam/project for assessment of students in subject
areas

6. GOAL 3
Develop creative ways to attract new partners and grow
the student population at KEC
Objectives:
3.1) Develop a marketing plan for KEC
3.2) Increase visibility in community
3.3) Implement Multimedia class for promotion of programs
3.4) Improve and update web site and develop social networking outlets
3.5) Enhance Sophomore presentations through all technology and resources
available
3.6) Host potential students at KEC for tours of programs

7. GOAL 4
Increase parent, community and sending school
participation in
program and curriculum development
Strategic Objectives:
4.1) Develop classroom web sites for interaction with staff and to get updates on
class activities week-to-week
4.2) Host parent-teacher conferences
4.3) Host “Parent Night” where students demonstrate skills learned in courses
4.4) Increase participation in General Partnership Luncheon
4.5) Continue advisory committees for all programs and evaluate members and
effectiveness
4.6) Make efforts to host community events at KEC
4.7) Build relationships between administrative staff at KEC and sending schools
counselors and administration

8. GOAL 5
Prepare students to be career and college-ready when
they complete KEC programs
Objectives:
5.1) Continue to implement and follow Common Core standards
5.2) Develop a “Life Skills” portion to curriculum
5.3) Require every student to participate in a public service project
5.4) Implement transition program for seniors
5.5) Expand hands-on activities for students (evident in curriculum)
5.6) Require every student to complete a resume and portfolio
5.7) Incorporate math and reading into every class at KEC
5.8) Aid sending schools in increasing AYP scores
5.9) Attempt to decrease the number of students needing remedial courses when
they enter college

9. Employee Development Plan
 Develop an interview and screening process for new
candidates
 Create attractive marketing plan to recruit staff
through media and technology
 Generate on-line applications
 Create staff development schedules through outside
sources and in-house development workshops
 Implement support system for new staff, part-time and
off-site staff
 Recognize and reward staff accomplishments
 Provide up-to-date equipment and resources for staff
 Continue to emphasize best practice
 Institute a competitive salary base and steps for staff

10. Financial Vision/Plan
 Continue to maximize state and federal grants
 Be creative about alternative funding sources
 Create cost containment strategies
 Control staff numbers with enrollment cap on
programs
 Develop fund balance goal with Board of Control
 Incorporate a budget evaluation process with business
manager

11. The Process
The Kishwaukee Education Consortium Planning Team
implemented the following process for the creation of the
strategic plan
1) Develop Mission Statement: July 1, 2010
2) Strategic Plan Team Meeting to address mission and framework of the strategic
plan: September 16, 2010
3) Seek sending schools input: September 30, 2010
4) Strategic Plan Team Meeting for reflection of input from sending schools:
October 14, 2010
5) Strategic Plan Team Meeting: November 18, 2010
6) Seek Business Community Input: December 9, 2010
7) Seek Kishwaukee College Input: January 7, 2011
8) Strategic Plan Final Meeting: January 11, 2011
9) Present to Governing Board for Approval: February 16, 2011

12. Contributors To The Kishwaukee
Education Consortium Strategic Plan
Karen Baum Mary Hess
Lorna Bemis Karen Hoyle
Oscar Benitez Jean Kartjie
Paul Borek Christine Lewis
Jim Briscoe Bonnie Lunn
Tonda Bruch Travis Maguire
Joe Burgess Julie Male
Derrick Burress Eugene Massey
Deana Cada Nick Mataragas
Justin Carlson Bill McKinley
Tim Carlson Ron Pieper
Tom Choice Berna Popenhagen
Don Clayberg Carol Quenet
Phil Colgan Wayne Riesen
Michael Czaplinski Karen Schmitt
Jamie Craven Jenny Stephens
Tom Crouch Marianne Swanson
Julenne Davey Kristal Templin
Margaret Delano Julie Vassilogambros
Christine Demory Sarah Vize
Alex Garica Scott Wakeley
Bruce Griffith Stephanie Wascher