New London — The Board of Education on Thursday approved its vision statement for the district as it moves forward with drafting its Strategic Operating Plan.

The Strategic Operating Plan is a condition of the state's intervention in the school district in the form of appointing special master Steven Adamowski. The plan, which will serve as a road map of the district's ways to improve student achievement, will be submitted to the state by February.

The plan will take effect in the 2013-14 school year.

The board's approved vision statement reads as follows: "The New London Public Schools are a regional center for educational excellence, making creative use of the city's great cultural assets and building student achievement upon a foundation of outstanding, diverse schools. The core of excellence is relevance, academic rigor, innovating and engaging instruction and a diverse staff that challenges all students to reach their potential. Parental involvement adds greatly to student success. All students will graduate high school college and career ready."