District Strategic Plans and School Renewal Plans are to be developed every five years and updated annually as required by the Early Childhood Development and Academic Assistance Act of 1993 (S.C. Code Ann §59-139-05 et seq.), the Education Accountability Act of 1998 (S.C. Code Ann §59-18-1300, 1310, and 1510) and the State Board of Education Regulation 43-261. District Strategic Plans and School Renewal Plans, as well as Annual Updates, are due April 30th of each year and the plans become effective July 1.
According to S.C. Code Ann. §59-18-1300, each district board of trustees must establish and annually review a performance based accountability system, or modify its existing accountability system, to reinforce the state accountability system. Parents, teachers, and principals must be involved in the development, annual review, and revisions of the accountability system established by the district. The board of trustees shall ensure that a district accountability plan be developed, reviewed, and revised annually.
According to SBE Regulation 43-261, the district strategic plan and school renewal plans include the accountability system that directs an annual needs assessment; prioritizes the performance goals; and reports how the district supports schools, students, and families. The district strategic plan and school renewal plans must establish priorities and prioritize efforts to focus on raising student achievement levels for all students, the prevention of academic problems, and reducing the achievement gaps identified on the annual report card. It is imperative that the planning processes demonstrate a commitment to continuous improvement and respond to accountability requirements in both state and federal legislation. The plans must be developed collaboratively by a broad-based group of stakeholders using a consensus process.
For additional information contact dssr@ed.sc.gov.
District Strategic and School Renewal Plan Directions and Templates
Presentations
| Resource |
Description |
DSSR PD Miniseries CNA & Executive Summaries Video
DSSR PD Miniseries CNA & Executive Summaries Slides |
A concise video presentation that provides an overview of the Comprehensive Needs Assessment and Executive Summary processes. The session also includes a collaborative stakeholder activity to develop and refine these critical planning documents. |
DSSR PD Miniseries Goal Setting and Action Plans Video
DSSR PD Miniseries Goal Setting and Action Plans Slides |
A concise video presentation focused on helping districts and schools develop data-driven goals, create aligned action plans, and connect improvement efforts to Title I resources. |
DSSR PD Miniseries Not Meeting Goals? Video
DSSR PD Miniseries Not Meeting Goals? Slides |
A concise video presentation that provides practical guidance for districts and schools when performance goals are not being met. Participants will explore when goals or strategies should be revised, review examples of strategic performance goals, and discuss the connection to root cause analysis. |
DSSR PD Miniseries Root Cause Analysis Video
DSSR PD Miniseries Root Cause Analysis Slides |
A concise video presentation that provides practical tools and strategies for identifying the underlying causes of challenges within districts and schools. This session also helped participants learn how to use data and structured inquiry to move beyond symptoms and develop targeted improvement strategies. |
DSSR PD Miniseries SC Innovation Station Video
DSSR PD Miniseries SC Innovation Station Slides |
A concise video presentation utilizing the state's specialized web portal for resource libraries, comprehensive improvement planning, evidence-based practices, and guidance on instructing students living in poverty. |
| DSSR Town Hall 2-18-26 |
The DSSR Town Hall provided an overview of the District Strategic and School Renewal process, highlighting key priorities, timelines, next steps, and guidance for uploading completed DSSRs to the ADT system. |
Resources
| Resource |
Description |
| DSSR Education Associate Contact List |
A directory of assigned DSSR Education Associates, including their names and contact details, for streamlined district support. |
| DSSR Submission FAQs |
A quick-reference guide that answers the most common questions about submitting District Strategic and School Renewal (DSSR) Plans, helping districts navigate requirements, upload processes, and where to find key documents. |
| DSSR Exemplar SMART Goals |
The DSSR SMART Goal Bank is a resource of exemplar SMART goals designed to help districts and schools strengthen the quality, clarity, and measurability of performance goals within the DSSR plans. |
| Developing and Implementing Quality Strategic Plans |
The latest guidance on how to implement high quality plans and how to plan the work. |
| How to Insert an Image in the One Upload Replacement File |
A step‑by‑step tutorial on completing the District Strategic and School Renewal Plans, inserting images throughout the One Upload Replacement File. |
| How to Upload in the Advanced Data Transfer System (ADT) |
A step‑by‑step guide that walks districts through uploading documents in the Advanced Data Transfer System (ADT), ensuring accurate submission and smooth navigation of the upload process. |
| Proficiency-Based Systems Manual |
The latest framework on how to format, organize and explain your proficiency-based systems within your schools. |
| Proficiency-Based Systems World Language Guidance |
This guidance will assist in writing the World Language as a Credit Through Prior Knowledge flexibility pathway in the Proficiency-Based Systems Plan. |
| SC Flexibility Guide |
The most recent guidance on the available flexibilities and how to use them. |
| SC Innovation Station |
SC Innovation Station provides South Carolina educators with innovative teaching strategies with high impact, resources, and tools to enhance classroom instruction and student success. |
| Strategic Plan Exemplars:
|
Explore a collection of a district strategic plan and School Renewal Plan exemplars designed to support districts and schools in the planning process. These examples highlight data-driven decision-making, quality needs assessments, aligned goals, actionable strategies, and measurable growth targets across district, elementary, middle, high school, and career center plans. |
Statutes and Regulations
| Resource |
Description |
| SBE Regulation 43-261 |
SBE Regulation 43-261 governs District and School Planning in South Carolina. Key requirements include Five-Year Plans, Annual Updates, Core Components of Strategic Planning, Focus Areas for Strategic Planning, Stakeholder Involvement, and Waiver Provisions. |
| Early Child Development and Academic Assistance Act |
The Early Childhood Development and Academic Assistance Act mandates early intervention, academic support, and family engagement to help at-risk children and students achieve school readiness and close achievement gaps. Key goals and requirements include Early Intervention, Academic Assistance, Family Engagement, Service Coordination, Continuous Improvement, and Accountability. |
| Education Finance Act of 1977 |
The Education Finance Act of 1977 established a funding system to ensure equitable financial support for South Carolina public schools through a foundation program that sets minimum funding levels for essential educational services. Main provisions of he Education Finance Act of 1977: Foundation Program, Equitable Funding, State and Local Responsibilities, Exclusions, Funding Formula, and Goals. |
