APQC Education North Star Vision

The North Star project is our vision to transform the U.S. public education system through Process and Performance Management. Using an approach based on over 30 years experience with thousands of global organizations, APQC Education conducted a pilot program in 2009 with 10 school districts to illustrate the impact of our work. In one year, these 10 school districts saved $17.5 million dollars and released over 40,000 instructional hours back into the classroom.  Since then the North Star Community of school districts has tripled in size and new members are seeing similar results! Our goal is to see EVERY school district in the United States similarly transformed. The North Star name was chosen to symbolize this project as a universal guidance system for transforming education and as an inspiring goal that won’t change over time.

Since the pilot in 2009, the North Star Community has tripled in size and current districts are seeing similar results. For a list of current North Star Community members click here.

Educational outcomes (test scores, graduation rates, AYP)
cannot be improved if the processes that generate those outcomes are not improved. 
 

For this reason, APQC Education approaches student achievement in a more holistic manner, seeking causes for problem areas that may result in low achievement scores or in higher costs to the district, which may detract from the learning experience or instructional budget. Our approach combines process management and performance management and was designed to directly address the fundamental weaknesses in education reform efforts.

Dr. Jack Grayson has written extensively over the last couple of years in a series of white papers that have been featured in EdWeek. These white papers highlight the basic principles and goals of the North Star Project.

Click a title below to view and downlad a free copy of each.

Districts using the North Star Approach have achieved dramatic results.

Aldine Independent School District in Houston, TX was able to cut over $100,000 out of their transportation budget and reduce at-fault accidents by over 50% using process and performance management. Click here to read case study. 

Clark County School District in Las Vegas, NV met AYP three of the last four years by using process and performance management strategies to design instructional support, technical assistance, and professional development. They are the only district of the nation's 10 most populous to achieve this status. Click here to read case study. 

Cypress-Fairbanks Independent School District in Houston, TX has experienced transformative change district-wide through the implementation of process and performance management. The projects that emerged after the district’s Organizational Assessment all align with their focus on improving and maintaining quality and high standards of student achievement. Click here to read case study. 

 Other results across participating North Star districts include:

• Energy costs reduced by $4M.

• Immediate dropout rates reduced by 3% with 6 year projection of 20%.

• Out of school suspensions reduced by 50%.

• Seat time increased due to resolution of transportation issues.

• Print shop process changes resulting in a $1.1M cost savings.

• Operating Fund balance increase from $2.5M to $4M

• Savings of $400K to benefits processing costs.

• Avoidance of $1.8M in computer repair costs.

• First call problem resolution up from 35% to 65%

• Payroll, warehouse, and supply costs down $4M

• Increase graduation rates from 71% to 76%

• Click here to see more examples of district projects

Do you want more information on North Star? Download the overview : Part I,  Part II,  Part III, and  Part IV.

CONTACT US TODAY and let us know how APQC Education's North Star Vision can help your organization.