Work on a strategic plan for the Natrona County School District will begin by the end of January, according to the superintendent of the district.

"You have to know what you're accountable to or for," said superintendent Joel Dvorak. "If it was as easy as flipping a switch, we would have done it."

A strategic plan is part of the district and Dvorak's focus on accountability for staff, schools and students in the coming year. Dvorak said he anticipates the plan will have measurable goals and action items for each area of focus, which include student achievement, efficient processes and safety.

The plan comes on the heels of an accountability framework for elementary schools to determine courses for improvement and recognize achievements.

Dvorak and Mark Mathern, associate superintendent of curriculum and instruction, are also collecting data needed to build similar guidelines for secondary schools.

"I think it is the right work for us to be doing, making sure kids have the opportunities to learn," Dvorak said.

Accountability and achievement are what Dvorak has focused on since taking over as superintendent in 2008. He's helped set goals for both the school board and himself, in addition to bringing forward policies on using data to improve.

"The [organizational assessment] really told us that accountability systems were not very strong," Dvorak said. "I think people are embracing the idea that accountability is very healthy for an organization and that a lack of accountability is rather unhealthy."

Part of the accountability work includes making sure schools are working to align classes with the district's Essential Curriculum. The curriculum is a guide for schools to follow to meet state standards.

Mathern said goal-setting is another area schools will continue to work on. Many buildings already implement a model known as "Plan, Do, Study, Act," which encourages students and classrooms to set measurable goals for themselves.

Data collection and work on the district's secondary education system will also be key points of focus for the district in 2009. Mathern noted that the district relies on the professional judgement of its teachers and staff members.

"We want that data to inform that judgement," Mathern said. "I think a lot of work this year is infrastructure."

Reach education reporter Jasa Santos at (307) 266-0593 or at Jasa.Santos@trib.com.

What to watch for in 2009

*Development of a district-wide strategic plan

*A focus on using data to inform students, parents, teachers, and other staff about achievement and ways to improve

*Continued work on the district's secondary schools system

*Use of new accountability guidelines for elementary schools