NJAIS 2006-2008 Strategic Plan

MISSION
The New Jersey Association of Independent Schools (NJAIS) is the collective voice of independent schools throughout the state of New Jersey. It promotes and supports educational, ethical, and professional excellence in member schools. NJAIS celebrates the depth, breadth, and diversity of its schools, and works to protect their independence through advocacy at the local, state, and federal levels.

OBJECTIVES
Protecting our Independence and Educational Diversity
The strength of independent schools lies in their ability to serve their students
effectively through a variety of teaching methods and educational perspectives. Much of the strength of NJAIS derives from the diversity of its member schools’ missions and educational philosophies. Protection of this diversity as well as the autonomy now enjoyed by independent schools in New Jersey is a priority of the association.

• Improve and expand public awareness and knowledge of independent schools.

• Collect and disseminate information on all legislation and state mandates
which will affect NJAIS Schools.

* Use the heads’ listserv to update heads on legislation which will impact NJAIS schools
* Hire a lobbyist or law firm to monitor legislation
* Maintain relationships with New Jersey Department of Education

ACCREDITATION
The accreditation of our schools provides a valuable external audit of each school’s mission and operation, validating the effectiveness of our member schools and encouraging courageous plans for improvements to their programs

• Improve NJAIS accreditation program and record keeping systems.

* Create a new protocol combining current NJAIS protocol and features of Middle States’s Accreditation for Growth
* Develop a larger pool of potential accreditation team members
* Train Visiting Team chairs
* Reorganize NJAIS Office procedures to make the accreditation procedure more efficient and accurate

• Research other accrediting agencies’ methods of tracking their processes

• Update NJAIS systems

• Improve NJAIS member schools’ awareness of and utilization of the NJAIS accreditation program.

* Create a brochure outlining the benefits of the NJAIS accreditation program
* Visit schools due for reaccreditation to promote the NJAIS accreditation program

COMMUNICATION
Effective communication of the benefits of independent education is central to the NJAIS mission. Support of our member schools by the sharing of resources and perspectives completes the communication cycle.

• Develop a marketing strategy to promote broad awareness of the benefits of NJAIS schools.

* Engage a marketing firm to assist in planning
* Meet with the media to discuss NJAIS activities
* Expand the mission of the Advocacy group
* Investigate possible avenues to advertise the benefits of independent education.
* Develop a presentation on the benefits of independent schools incorporating the NAIS Advocacy materials.
* Develop a brief talk on NJAIS schools and independent education for use by staff, directors and member schools
* Meet with the media to discuss NJAIS activities

• Increase collaboration amongst all NJAIS constituencies through the use of technology.

* Utilize the website to provide information to prospective parents and students
* Utilize the website and listservs to provide resources and fora for heads, administrators and faculty.
* Develop a periodic web-based newsletter to alert member schools to resources, perspectives and activities available through NJAIS