Setting the Stage: A Goal Beyond the Ordinary
When Dr. Kherat addressed the staff at convocation; she set a tone of ambition and unity for her final year: "Mission Possible: Cracking the Proficiency Code." Her challenge? Achieve a 10% gain in student proficiency—a target that triples the standard 3% gain considered good growth and doubles the 5% typically deemed statistically significant.
"Normally we would say if you had a 3% gain, that's great progress. Five percent is phenomenal. She raised the expectation and the bar to a 10% gain."
— Dr. Ann Bond, Assistant Superintendent
This bold objective energized the district, motivating staff to embrace the extraordinary and dedicate themselves to a mission that would shape Dr. Kherat’s legacy.
The Plan: Bold Strategies for Bold Results
Intentional Planning & Support
Continuous School Improvement Plans (SIP): Schools set bold, actionable goals from the outset.
LIFT Meetings: Traditional professional development for school leaders was replaced by in-school LIFT Meetings, where district leaders and school leaders reviewed goals, analyzed student data, and strengthened support systems in real time.
Six-Week Teacher Check-Ins: Principals met one-on-one with teachers every six weeks through Achievement Conversations to review student progress and adjust supports, ensuring no student fell through the cracks.
Intentional IAR plans launched in early Fall with intensified focus around topics such as writing every day, intentional and targeted small group planning, and a strategic focus on actions to decrease chronic absenteeism.
"We all kept our eye on the data along with the SIP and IAR plans and strategically worked the plans."
— Dr. Annette Coleman, Executive Director of Schools
The House System: Building Belonging and Attendance
Voluntary, Widespread Adoption: Nearly every K-8 school embraced the RCA House System, even though it wasn’t mandated.
Engagement & Incentives: The House Systems fostered a sense of belonging for students and staff alike, with incentives, celebrations, and friendly competitions making school attendance exciting.
Impact: The House System helped to strengthen student engagement and contributed to chronic absenteeism dropping dramatically, as students were motivated to come to school and be part of something special.
"We can't teach students who aren't here. Everybody wants to be a part of something special and a part of a team. The House System gave us this."
— Dr. Nicole Couri-Malson, Executive Director of Schools
The Data Culture: Students Owning Their Success
Over the past eight years, the district has transformed into a data-driven powerhouse:
Principals and Teachers now analyze data proactively—often before the testing window even closes.
Students take ownership of their learning, with critical benchmarks posted in hallways. When a student masters a benchmark, they are celebrated by adding their photo to the wall, making academic achievement visible and valued.
"Students now own the data and they are owning their learning. When a student masters a critical benchmark, they get to put their picture up on the wall and be celebrated. Everybody knows what their job is toward achieving the vision — and they're celebrated when they achieve it."
— Dr. Tracy Donath, Director of Curriculum
As a result, academics have become "cool". It's a cultural shift that is energizing students and staff alike.
The Results: A Year to Remember
While the official IAR results are embargoed until Halloween, preliminary data points to the most successful academic year in district history:
Several schools achieved or surpassed the 10% proficiency gain, with several others also coming very close to the bold target.
State designations improved: Over the last year, more schools reached “commendable” and “exemplary” status.
District-wide momentum: The culture of achievement and celebration is now embedded in every school.
"We've proven to ourselves that we can set a bold goal and rise to it to make really big gains for our students. I think PPS is on the verge of something big. This is just the beginning."
— Dr. Nicole Couri-Malson
Conclusion: Dr. Kherat’s Final Mission—A Lasting Legacy
Dr. Kherat’s "Mission Possible" was more than a theme—it was a vision with a call to action that united staff, inspired students, and transformed the district’s approach to learning and achievement.
As the district awaits the official results this Halloween, one truth is already clear:
This mission IS possible.
And Peoria Public Schools proved it through an incredible team effort!