Statewide Systems of Support

1. Statewide Systems of Support Preview of Handbook and September Institute Center on Innovation & Improvement

2. Contents of Handbook • Review of Evidence and Conceptual Framework • Insights from Researchers • Insights from Education Leaders • Profiles of Select States • Comprehensive Centers and States Working Together • Practical Indicators and Tools for SEAs Center on Innovation and Improvement

3. Statewide Systems of Support Webinar Overview • What? • Introduce Statewide Systems to Support School Improvement and Restructuring • Incentives, opportunities, and capacity • Discussion questions • How? • Profile of Alabama and districts and schools served • Discussion questions Center on Innovation and Improvement

4. A Conceptual Framework Lauren Morando Rhim Scientific Council, Center on Innovation & Improvement Senior Consultant, Public Impact

5. NCLB and Statewide Systems of Support NCLB requires that SEAs provide technical assistance to schools identified as in need of improvement • Reserve and allocate Title 1, Part A funds (4% in 2007) for school improvement activities • Create and sustain a statewide system of support that provides technical assistance to schools (LEA and School Improvement: Non-Regulatory Guidance, Revised 7/21/06) Center on Innovation and Improvement

6. NCLB And Support Priorities Technical Assistance Priorities (i.e., triage approach) • LEAs in corrective action and schools for which LEA has not fulfilled responsibilities related to corrective action • LEAs identified as in need of improvement • Title I LEAs and schools that need support and assistance Center on Innovation and Improvement

7. NCLB Required Components Establishing NCLB Prescribed Statewide System of Support- • Create school support teams: Teams work in schools throughout the state and SEA must provide adequate support for teams to be effective • Designate and engage distinguished teachers and principals:Select successful professionals from existing Title I schools that have a track record of success • Develop additional TA approaches: Draw on external resources (e.g., colleges/universities, education service agencies, private providers of proven TA, and USDOE funded comprehensive centers and regional education laboratories) to assist districts Center on Innovation and Improvement

8. Framework of Successful System • Incentives • Capabilities (Capacity) • Opportunities Center on Innovation and Improvement

9. Providing Incentives for Change • Public disclosure: standards, accountability and information about results • Negative incentives: consequences of low school performance • Positive incentives: contingent funding, autonomy, and recognition • Market-oriented incentives: changing the “market” structure of public schooling Center on Innovation and Improvement

10. Building Capacity • Building Systemic Capacity • Building Local Capacity Center on Innovation and Improvement

11. Building Systemic Capacity • Create and Disseminate Knowledge • Enhance Supply of Personnel • Especially in low-performing districts and schools • Training for turnaround specialists Center on Innovation and Improvement

12. Building Local Capacity Capacity Building Structures and Roles • State Education Agency • Intermediate Agencies • External Partner Organizations • Distinguished Educators • School Support Teams • Coordination Between and Among Statewide System of Support Structures Center on Innovation and Improvement

13. Building Local Capacity Differentiating Supports • Metrics to determine local capacity and need in multiple components of district and school operations • Differentiated Support to Local Districts and Schools • Differentiate by Point of Impact • Differentiate by Intensity and Duration of Services • Differentiate by Services Provided Delivery of State Systems of Support Services • Provide Services • Allocate Resources for Services Center on Innovation and Improvement

14. Providing Opportunities For Change • Removing Obstacles For Existing Schools And Districts • Creating Space For New Schools Center on Innovation and Improvement

15. Discussion Points • NCLB defines statewide systems of support, but we propose that definition should be the floor not the ceiling of state’s role in improving schools. • State boards, legislatures, and governors can create incentives and opportunities. • SEA’s can also create incentives and opportunities, but they are primarily charged with building systemic and local capacity. • Besides technical capacity, key role for SEA should be to establish “reform press;” a strong sense of urgency that change has to occur. Center on Innovation and Improvement

16. Discussion Points • Efforts to improve schools should be driven by school and district needs rather than expediency given existing structures/systems. • Strategic approach may require state-level policy changes and advocacy and a reconsideration of the “givens” (e.g., state laws and policies, and distribution of human capital). • Critical goal is to implement systems that move beyond existing SEA/LEA improvement efforts and serve as a catalyst for meaningful change that alters the educational opportunities for children in low-performing schools. Center on Innovation and Improvement

17. Additional questions: Lauren Morando Rhim Scientific Council, Center on Innovation & Improvement Senior Consultant, Public Impact Lauren_Rhim@publicimpact.com (301)655-1992 Center on Innovation and Improvement