KHill+Mission+eval

//Education:// St. Mary’s County Public Schools **- The mission of the St. Mary's County Public School System is to enable students to develop their intellectual and personal potential for a lifetime of learning and for responsible, productive participation in our diverse and changing world.** //Business:// Public Service Company of New Mexico **-** **Our mission is to work for the success of people we serve by providing our customers reliable electric service, energy information, and energy options that best satisfy their needs.**
 * Kellee Hill -**


 * **Organization** || **Brevity / Clarity of Language** || **Call to Action** || **Proactive / Provide Direction** || **Implies Growth & Change** || **Essential Purpose** || **Standards for Excellence** ||
 * //**St. Mary's County Public Schools**// || No: language not accessible to student stakeholders;lacks specificity || Yes: does ask teachers/stakeholders to act with verbs "enable" and "develop" though these are weak || No: no direction to employees beyond "enabling" which is too general to provide specific action || Yes: student development beyond school calendar/enrollment || Yes: make strong citizens "diverse and changing world" || No: "develop potential" and "Responsible" and "Productive" ||
 * **//Comments://** While St. Mary's County Public School's mission statement directs the school toward creating life-long learners who are the best they can be, the direction is so general as to be cliche. Nothing specifically directs teachers/leaders to take action; using the 1st person pronouns "we" or "us" assigns responsibility. By revising for more direct action and revising the language to be accessible to teachers, administers, students, parents and community. Also, SMCPS needs to consider adding language that reaches for excellence. ||
 * **//Public Service Company of New Mexico//** || Yes: language is clear, concise, and easily understand by employees and customers || Yes: employees are "providing' the listed services || Yes: specifically directs the actions of employees to "provide electric service, energy information, and energy options" || Yes: implied growth according to needs as they may unfold and specific to what is needed by customers which may change over time || Yes: clearly the essential purpose is to satisfy the electric needs of customers || Yes: "success" that "best satisfy" ||
 * **//Comments://** |||||||||||| The language in this mission statement is clear and to the point. We know specifically what Public Service Company of New Mexico intends to accomplish. Not only will customers be satisfied with their electric service, they will also receive 'information" and "options" that seems offer the customers options by use of language "best satisfy their needs". Excellence is implied through stated goal of "success" and "best fits their needs". ||

__ **Brevity and Clarity of Language:** __ Mission Statements attaining a Yes (MSAY) will use clear language that succinctly states the direction of the institution. The statement avoids empty words, uses language that is precise, while not being too vague and general. Through brevity and clarity, the statement will be accessible to all employees and stakeholders no matter their position. **//E.g//**//. We believe in physical fitness is essential, so all employees of ABC will exercise moderately regularly.// **//The verb "exercise" is clear and the language is straight forward--if you're a member of "ABC", you will exercise for 20 minutes, 5 times a week.//**

__ **Call to Action:** __ MSAY provides a real and clear call to action for members of the institution. Direction for action through strong action verbs is clear and do-able by all stakeholders on a daily basis to improve and contribute to institution's mission. Mission Statements with vague exhortations or non-action verbs will not receive a Yes. Actions will focus on the big picture and will not be too limited in scope: **//E.g//**//.// We believe in physical fitness is essential, //so all employees of ABC will exercise moderately regularly//. //vs. Everyday, everyone will do 20 push-ups and walk 1 mile.// **//The first is a call for action with a do-able goal; the 2nd is clear but too specific for application to the whole institute.//**

__ **Proactive:** __ MSAY focus on the future or a vision of the institution of the institution at its best, through the use of future tense verbs such as "will" and "shall". The Mission Statement embodies the values and goals of the whole institution and clearly guides a new or expanded direction. While the Mission Statement was likely built on the goal of solving past problems, the Mission Statement avoids negative language and referring to past failures. **//E.g.//** //We believe in physical fitness is essential,// so all employees of ABC will exercise moderately regularly//.// //N//**//ote: The verb "will", directs employees to plan this action into their schedule every week. No mention is made of past failures of ABC Gym employees to be physically fit; no consequence is stated.//**

__ **Growth and Change:** __ MSAY is flexible enough to allow goals to evolve without being limited by the language of the Mission Statement. E.g. //We believe in physical fitness is essential,// so all employees of ABC will exercise moderately regularly//. **Note: Definitions of "moderate" and "regular" may change over time for physical fitness guidelines, and this statement allows for that growth and change.**//

__Essential Purpose:__ MSAY when grounded in solid values which allow the institution to change while remaining focused on the vision. The Mission Statement should clearly state values and actions that match the institutions:**//E.g. Schools education; Gyms make people fit; Hotels provide safe hospitality, etc.//**

__Standards for Excellence:__ MSAY when stating clearly a goal of excellence and/or success. The definition and measure of this excellence will be established through Goals statements and Action Plans; however, the Mission Statement uses language clearly states expectations beyond average. **//E.g. at ABC Gym, everyone--the day-care providers, janitor and receptionist will all exercise moderately 5 times a week, suggesting a level of excellence beyond normal expectation.//**