Plan for Excellence
The University of Florida's P.K. Yonge Developmental Research School has a unique opportunity as a "school of choice" to provide leadership in education excellence in Florida and throughout the nation. In an effort to make a positive contribution to the realization of that ambition, the school's Citizen Advisory Council, working with parents, teachers, students, and administrators has articulated what it believes to be a relevant description of the level of achievement to which the school should aspire.
This description involves an intricate and symbolic relationship among the students, the parents, the teachers, and the administration. Each is dependent on the others for success in the pursuit of this goal. This "Partnership Pact" should become the foundation for all policies, practices, and aspirations of all who are involved in the education enterprise throughout the P.K. Yonge Developmental Research School. The defining characteristics of each of the four affected groups are succinctly but thoughtfully addressed.
Administrators
The administrators of P.K. Yonge provide visionary leadership, which is founded on clearly communicated and very high expectations of teachers and students in the high school. The administrators strive to create and maintain a supportive environment so that teachers and students alike can achieve the goals set for and by themselves. The administrators accept the responsibility for problem solving and follow-up, of supporting and guiding teachers and students, and for consistent, early, and effective intervention onto inappropriate or inadequate teacher or student behaviors. The administrators are knowledgeable of the relevant rules, regulations, laws and policies, which impact the school, the teachers and the students and are able to apply that knowledge in a consistent and constructive way.
Parents
The parents of P.K. Yonge students consider their attendance at the school to be a privilege and take the actions necessary to reinforce the high standards of the school within the home environment. P.K. Yonge parents are committed to reinforcing the emphasis of respectful behavior and to stress the immeasurable value of excellence in academic achievement. The P.K. Yonge Parent recognizes that s/he plays an important role in the continual improvement of the school and is willing to commit to participation in school activities and to specific volunteer service to the school. The P.K. Yonge parent exhibits respect and support for the P.K. Yonge faculty and administration and sees him/herself as a partner in the educational enterprise by extending the learning environment.
Teachers
P.K. Yonge teachers clearly communicate high expectations for academic achievement and responsible behavior to students. They see their primary responsibility as establishing an appropriate atmosphere for learning so that each student can achieve in accordance with the high standards of the school. Consistency distinguishes instructors at P.K. Yonge - consistency in applying rules, in providing feedback to students and parents, in good classroom management, and in high expectations of student success. Teachers at the school are professional and recognize and accept the responsibility as role models, motivators, and communicators. This professionalism manifests itself in behavior, appearance, and attitude.
Students
Students at P.K. Yonge are distinguished by their respectful attitudes toward others, by their relentless striving for excellence and by their acceptance of the responsibility of their own behavior. A P.K. Yonge student publicly embraces an ethic of honesty, a willingness to follow rules, and a commitment to work to the best of one's ability. Recognition of the obligations of citizenship, the value of serving others and demonstratable pride in being able the exercise the privilege of attending P.K. Yonge are all hallmarks of the P.K. Yonge student. In the development and exercise of these attributes, the P.K. Yonge student becomes an exemplary student who leaves the school with an unwavering commitment to life-long learning.