TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – Traverse City Area Public Schools (TCAPS), Northern Michigan’s largest school district, has rolled out a bold five-year strategic plan designed to raise graduation rates, improve attendance, and boost academic performance by 2030. The plan, which narrows the district’s focus from over 20 priorities to just five, aims to create a sharper sense of accountability and purpose across all grade levels and staff positions.
Chief Academic Officer Jessie Houghton emphasized to the board during a recent meeting that the simplified structure means every teacher, from middle school instructors to art educators, can clearly see their role in achieving these benchmarks.
TCAPS bets on data and flexibility.
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The new plan replaces a previous three-year framework that focused largely on organizational structure rather than measurable results. Superintendent John VanWagoner said to the Traverse City Ticker that this shift reflects a renewed emphasis on ambitious goals and data-driven accountability. The board will review progress annually, with the flexibility to reallocate resources to ensure success.
Five major areas of focus.
The district’s top priorities include raising academic achievement, strengthening student well-being, improving behavior, boosting post-secondary readiness, and investing in staff recruitment and retention to grow the staff.
By 2030, TCAPS aims to see 80 percent of students meeting SAT Reading and Writing benchmarks, up from roughly 76 percent, and 60 percent meeting SAT Math benchmarks, up from around 55 percent. Chronic absenteeism, currently around 21 percent, is targeted to drop below 15 percent, while extracurricular participation across all grades is expected to increase significantly.
Behavioral goals include having at least 90 percent of students report feeling respected by peers and teachers, up from today’s 74 percent. Graduation rates are expected to rise to 93 percent overall, with three-quarters of graduates participating in advanced placement courses, dual enrollment, or internships.
Staffing initiatives will focus on growing recruitment pipelines, reducing turnover among hourly and non-certified employees, and raising staff satisfaction from 90 to 95 percent.
Looking ahead.
The plan is still under review but could receive final approval as early as the September 8 board meeting. Leaders say the sharpened focus will not only raise performance but also give teachers and staff a clearer sense of ownership over student outcomes. With data-driven targets and a renewed commitment to accountability, TCAPS hopes to set a strong example for Michigan schools.
