ISTA Strategic Plan

General Outline

The following general Strategic Plan was adopted at the June 2009 ISTA Board Meeting. This outline does not include the "sub-objective" action items. The complete 2009 ISTA Strategic Plan is available in PDF format.

Goal 1: ISTA will actively emphasize its advocacy for stronger science education at the state, regional, county, district and building levels.

Objective: 1.1: ISTA will be recognized as the research-based advocate and access point for science education policies, positions and resources that substantiate higher quality classroom science teaching and learning in Illinois.
Objective 1.2: ISTA will support strengthened certification and endorsement processes and policies for teaching science.
Objective 1. 3: ISTA will represent teaching and teachers of science at diverse local, regional and state settings and opportunities.

Goal 2: ISTA will actively work to recruit, retain, and nurture our membership, boasting an increase of 300 new members in the next three years.

Objective 2.1: The ISTA Board will refine and continuously review and improve its abilities to serve membership more efficiently and effectively.
Objective 2.2: ISTA will focus immediate and ongoing attention to effective and beneficial retention of its current membership through extension of greater opportunities and support for science education leaders.
Objective 2.3: ISTA will focus immediate and ongoing attention to recruiting new members for engaged membership.
Objective 2.4: ISTA will establish a broadened and unique network of Illinois-Building a Presence.

Goal 3: ISTA will expand its capabilities to broker high quality, research-based, short- and longer-term professional opportunities that will expand both the science content and pedagogical content knowledge of our membership.

Objective 3.1: ISTA will conduct its annual conferences, expanding and evaluating its offerings and support continuously to meet the needs of our membership more effectively.
Objective 3.2: ISTA will respond to identified professional development needs as expressed by our membership, our partners, and emerging national, state, and regional circumstances.
Objective 3.3: ISTA will encourage and support professional development opportunities and leadership development networks organized by ISTA directors and officers.

Goal 4: ISTA will create and sustain collaborative partnerships with diverse groups who share our mission. (post ISTA Partnership definition and non-endorsement policy on web)

Objective 4.1: Establish and maintain partnerships with state and regional agencies, businesses, industries and foundations which are associated with science teaching and learning and the science career pipeline for our students.
Objective 4.2: Establish and maintain partnerships that provide post-secondary educational opportunities with Illinois community colleges, colleges, universities, etc.
Objective 4.3: Establish and maintain partnerships with non-formal science educators (museums, parks, etc).
Objective 4.4: Establish and maintain partnerships with state professional organizations (ISELA,IABT, IACT, IAPT, IPA, etc.)