S.W.O.T Analysis

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The Kansas City Missouri School District was founded in 1876 with the intention of providing education to the children of the residents of Kansas City. Initially, the school district started with 2,150 students. Prior to the current prevailing conditions, the school district employed 2,300 teachers who were responsible for the education of a staggering 17,400 students from all walks of life (KCMSD, 2011). Currently, the school district is without accreditation and that its fate remains in the hands of the state. Power jostling, self-interest, greed, and infighting among the leaders of the school district resulted in KCMSD losing its accreditation (Clark, 2011). Poor strategic planning and unregulated learning strategies, and dismal performances by the students in general education are some other factors that plunged the school district in to its current legal quagmire.

The term S.W.O.T is an abbreviation for Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats and is an important tool in determining how an organization functions. As for strength, KCMSD lacks financial capability, philosophy and value, and accreditation and qualification features; it is short of the required cultural, attitudinal, and behavioral aspects because of the prevalence of power jostling, self-interest, and greed within the governing board. Dr. Covington, an African-American and former superintendent of the school district, resigned hurriedly and unexpectedly in 2010 (Resmovits, 2011). He was replaced by Dr. Steven Green (Seward, 2011), also an African-American who is faced with the heavy task of reestablishing himself in an atmosphere of opposition and suspicion. There is visible weakness in how the school district is administered-weaknesses that emanate from gaps in capabilities coupled with poor morale, commitment, and leadership. Incompetency on the part of the school district leadership and pressure from parents and the state result in general vulnerabilities.

Some of the opportunities that could enhance the smooth operations of the KCMSD include making use of existing technology and other existing innovative ideas. Relevant threats that need to be curtailed include political, legislative, and environmental effects. The school district is expected to make drastic changes and make complete overhaul to the factors that led to its loss of accreditation in a two-year period. Failure to do so will result in the intervention of the state and the court system. The school district has the potential to succeed by effectively utilizing money given by the state, making comprehensive annual reports, abiding by the fundamental principles of finance, avoiding misappropriation of funds, and regularly abiding by existing mandates.

References

Clark, M. (Sept. 20, 2011). Missouri Department of Elementary Education. State board reclassifies KCMSD to unaccredited. News releases Vol. 45, No. 79. Retrieved from http://dese.mo.gov/news/2011/kcmsdaccreditation.htm

Kansas City, Missouri Schools District (2011). About KCMSD. Retrieved from http://www2.kcmsd.net/Pages/AboutKCMSD.aspx

Resmovits, Joy (August 26, 2011). John Covington, Kansas City Superintendent, Resigns Suddenly Amid School Board Drama. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/08/25/john-covington-resigns-kansas-city_n_937241.html

Seward, L. (August 31, 2011). Dr. Steve Green is Kansas City Missouri School District's new interim superintendent. http://www.nbcactionnews.com/dpp/news/education/dr-steve-green-is-named-kansas-city-missouri-school-district-interim-superintendent