KHammond_Mission_Eval

//Education:// Howard County Public Schools **- The Howard County Public School System will ensure excellence in teaching and learning so that each student will participate responsibly in a diverse and changing world.** //Business:// Courtyard By Marriott **- To provide economy and quality minded travelers with a premier, moderate priced lodging facility which is consistently perceived as clean, comfortable, well maintained, and attractive, staffed by friendly, attentive and efficient people.**
 * Kelly Hammond-**

It does focus on the future. || Yes: Excellence is quite an ideal to achieve that would require growth and change. Mission stretches far beyond the scope of a school year. It allows for a lot of discussion and additional goals focus on ensuring excellence. || Yes: Makes a strong statement about the goal of education for our 21st century students. || Yes: While I don't think it is specific enough, this school system is defining the standard of excellence as participating responsibly in the changing world. ||
 * **Organization** || **Brevity / Clarity of Language** || **Call to Action** || **Proactive / Provide Direction** || **Implies Growth & Change** || **Essential Purpose** || **Standards for Excellence** ||
 * //**Howard County Public Schools**// || No: Language not specific enough for students and teachers to define excellence. Will everyone know when mission is achieved? || Yes: Does require that all "ensure" excellence in order to "participate" in a changing world, but not very specific. || Not sure: There would need to be a definition of excellence to ensure that all stakeholders know what to strive for.
 * **//Comments://** Howard County has developed a very easy-to-remember mission statement that, for an educator, describes a lofty goal of ensuring excellence. However, this type of language does not define what excellence would "look like." It seems that the goal of this mission statement is merely preparing students to be responsible citizens in the changing world. While the mission statement sounds great (and I happen to know that Howard County Public Schools has a reputation of excellence and most likely "works this mission statement" daily), it is not specific enough for a new teacher, student, or parent to fully understand and envision the goal of this mission statement. ||
 * **//Courtyard by Marriott//** || Yes: Language is very clear and easily understood by employees and customers. || Yes: Clear expectations for the type of service and character of employees is included in the statement. || Yes: Statement provides employees a very clear expectation of accommodation appearance and service. || Yes: Mission makes it very easy to break down the necessary tasks needed to be addressed in order to realize vision as well. You can almost imagine what the staff meetings might be about while realizing the necessary changes to implement the mission. || Yes: Clearly describes the purpose of their business and the experience they want their customers to have. || Yes: Very specific standards provided for both the appearance and service of the business. ||
 * **//Comments://** |||||||||||| This mission statement is very specific about describing the experience and expectations that customers should expect. It provides a clear description about the specific areas of focus (both appearance and service). Both customer and employee would understand what to expect when visiting/working at a Courtyard by Marriott. ||

__ **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.//**