MONTGOMERY, Ala. — Montgomery Public Schools (MPS) has released its comprehensive Transition Team Report, a pivotal document outlining actionable strategies to elevate student achievement, strengthen workforce development, rebuild community trust, and enhance student engagement across the district.
The report represents the culmination of a months-long collaborative process convened by Superintendent Dr. Zickeyous M. Byrd, who brought together more than 70 educators, parents, civic leaders, and community partners to assess the district’s current state and chart a course for sustained progress.
“This report represents more than a set of recommendations — it represents the collective will of a community determined to see its schools thrive,” said Dr. Byrd. “Our Transition Team brought honesty, courage, and vision to this process, and their work gives us a clear path forward. As we move into the next phase, our focus will remain on what matters most — excellent instruction, strong leadership, and a culture where every child feels seen, supported, and inspired to succeed. This is not just a plan for improvement; it’s a promise to the students and families of Montgomery that greater is on the way.”
A Roadmap for Progress
The Transition Team’s work builds on the district’s First 100-Day Entry Plan and lays the foundation for MPS’s upcoming Strategic Plan, to be completed in 2026. The report identifies four key focus areas with both short- and long-term recommendations for improvement:
Student Achievement: Strengthening instructional coherence through structured literacy, math acceleration programs, and a unified district instructional plan.
Human Resources and Talent Development: Building a culture that attracts and retains top talent through competitive compensation, leadership development, and staff recognition initiatives such as Celebrate MPS and Voices of MPS.
School Culture and Chronic Absenteeism: Reducing chronic absenteeism by linking attendance to belonging, expanding mental health supports, and launching the Families First for Attendance campaign.
Community Engagement and Communications: Rebuilding trust and transparency through unified messaging, family-centered communication, and initiatives such as Data with the Community and Every Student. Every Day. Every Way.
Expert Validation
The Transition Team Report was developed in partnership with educational leadership experts, including Dr. Shawn Joseph, Interim Superintendent of Prince George’s County Public Schools and Assistant Professor and Co-Director of the Urban Superintendent Academy at Howard University.
“This plan reflects the best thinking from leaders both locally and nationally,” said Dr. Joseph. “If the recommendations are implemented with fidelity, MPS should see marked improvement in the identified areas.”
Next Steps
Under Dr. Byrd’s leadership, Montgomery Public Schools will now move into the next phase — the development of a Strategic Plan that will translate the Transition Team’s recommendations into measurable goals, timelines, and outcomes. The Strategic Plan will guide the district’s long-term vision to ensure that every student is prepared to thrive, succeed, and lead in a global society.