WHY IT WAS CREATED | HOW IT’S USED | WHY IT’S VALUABLE | SAMPLE
		“VOYAGE TO THE NEW WORLD” A tool districts can use to explain local development and implementation of standards Developed by Corpus Christi Independent School District

WHY IT WAS CREATED

As the basis for any presentation the district makes on standards, the PowerPoint was created as Corpus Christi Independent School District’s (CCISD) consistent message about standards. This means that whoever gives the presentation is sending the district's message about its process to develop and implement standards.

This PowerPoint presentation is a major piece among Corpus Christi’s communication tools about standards. It tells the story of standards implementation in Corpus Christi, explaining the thorough process to develop standards and other district efforts tied to standards.

Called “Voyage to the New World,” the presentation tells the story of an ocean journey — preparing the ship and the crew, preparing for sailing, staying the course, and weathering the storm.

HOW IT’S USED

District administrators give the presentation as part of an orientation for new teachers and staff members and for parent/teacher organizations in Corpus Christi. In addition, the district has taken the presentation “on the road” to other districts who aren’t as far along in developing or implementing their own standards. They’ve also used the presentation at national conferences.

WHY IT’S VALUABLE

It helps create an institutional memory. The process of creating and updating the PowerPoint presentation is in itself valuable. When district administrators update the presentation each year, it forces them to gather and record information about that year’s standards efforts, both those that were successful and those that weren’t.

“The presentation is a place where we keep a history of our efforts,” says Dixie Binford, school services consultant in CCISD. “It also helps us stay on track with our mission and goals. We sit down at the beginning of each school year and reflect on the goals of the past year. We incorporate our successes and shortcomings into the presentation.”

SAMPLE

The presentation is available here as a downloadable Microsoft PowerPoint file. Your district might want to adapt Corpus Christi’s analogy to tell your own story of standards.