In September 2023, the Cleveland Board of Education initiated a shift to Student Outcomes-Focused Governance, an approach to improving governance premised on two beliefs: 1) school systems exist to improve student outcomes, and 2) student outcomes don’t change until adult behaviors change.

At its February 15, 2025 retreat, the Board identified the specific priorities that the district, guided by district data and community input, would entrust to the Superintendent for the next five years, known as the Goals and Guardrails.

To inform this process, the Board reviewed district academic performance data to assess the current achievement levels of CMSD students. Additionally, the Board applied insights gathered from several community engagement efforts, ensuring that our work reflects the vision and values of the families and communities we serve. These engagements included:

1. CEO Listen & Learn Tour
2. Board’s CEO Search Community Engagement
3. Mayor's Community Listening Tour on Education

By integrating feedback from these initiatives and the district academic outcomes, the Board has developed a set of draft Goals and Guardrails that it believes will improve the outcomes of our students and reflect the priorities and aspirations shared by our community over the past three years.

The Goals and Guardrails will be the district's high-level priorities. The Board will entrust the CEO and staff with developing strategies to achieve each of these items, and with appropriately allocating resources to the Goals and Guardrails. After the adoption of the Goals and Guardrails, the Board and CEO will agree to key performance indicators to track progress towards the Goals. 

The Goals are designed to directly impact what students know and can do, guiding our focus toward tangible, measurable academic outcomes.

Goal 1 - Early Literacy: the percentage of 3rd graders who are proficient in English Language Arts will increase from 35% in August 2024 to 60% by August 2030.

Goal 2 - Math Proficiency: The percentage of first-time test takers proficient in Algebra 1 will increase from 26% in August 2024 to 50% by August 2030.

Goal 3 - College/Career Readiness: The percentage of the graduating cohort who will meet at least one college-ready indicator—ACT/SAT College Ready, Honors Diploma, AP/IB College Ready, or 12+ college credits—will increase from 8.2% in August 2024 to 25% by August 2030.

The Guardrails describe the non-negotiable values the school system must honor while allowing freedom to pursue the goals.

Guardrail 1 - Safety/Well-Being: The CEO shall not fail to promote safety within CMSD facilities, along with physical and mental well-being for all students.

Guardrail 2 - Opportunity & Access: The CEO shall not implement an academic program that fails to provide access to artistic, athletic, and career preparation opportunities for all students.

Guardrail 3 - Community Engagement: The CEO shall not make significant changes to the operation of the district without meaningful ways for the community to provide input.