Transcript Restructuring: What We Know About the NCLB Options

Statewide Systems of Support
Conceptual
Framework
From Handbook on
Statewide Systems of
Support
NCLB and Statewide Systems of
Support
NCLB requires that SEAs provide technical
assistance to schools identified as in need
of improvement
1.
2.
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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)
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NCLB and Support Priorities
Technical Assistance Priorities (i.e., triage
approach)
1.
2.
3.
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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
NCLB Required Components
Establishing NCLB-Prescribed Statewide
System of Support
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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
Framework of Successful System
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Incentives
Capacity (Capabilities)
Opportunities
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State System of
Support
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Providing Incentives for Change
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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
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Building Capacity
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Building Systemic Capacity
Building Local Capacity
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Building Systemic Capacity
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Create and Disseminate Knowledge
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Enhance Supply of Personnel
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Especially in low-performing districts and schools
Training for turnaround specialists
Create and maintain strong data systems
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Building Local Capacity
Capacity Building Structures and Roles
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State Education Agency
Intermediate Agencies
External Partner Organizations
Distinguished Educators
School Support Teams
Coordination Between and Among Statewide
System of Support Structures
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Building Local Capacity
Differentiate Supports
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Metrics to determine local capacity and need in multiple
components of district and school operations
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Differentiated Support to Local Districts and Schools
– Differentiate by Point of Impact
– Differentiate by Intensity and Duration of Services
– Differentiate by Services Provided
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Delivery of State Systems of Support Services
– Provide Services
– Allocate Resources for Services
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Providing Opportunities for
Change
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Remove Obstacles for Existing Schools and
Districts
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Create Space for New Schools
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The Big Picture
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1.
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.
2.
State boards, legislatures, and governors can create
incentives and opportunities.
3.
State departments of education are primarily charged with
building systemic and local capacity, but they can also create
incentives and opportunities.
4.
Besides technical capacity, a key role for SEA should be to
establish “reform press;” a strong sense of urgency that
change must occur.
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The Big Picture
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5.
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).
6.
Efforts to improve schools should be driven by school and
district needs rather than expediency given existing
structures/systems.
7.
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.
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Resources/Tools
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Handbook on Statewide Systems of Support,
ed. Sam Redding & Herbert J. Walberg
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Strengthening the Statewide System of
Support: A Manual for the Comprehensive
Center and State Education Agency, ed.
Sam Redding and Herbert J. Walberg
September 25, 2007
Additional Resources
Center on Innovation & Improvement
www.centerii.org
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