Collaborative Improvement Process

This program focuses on understanding a contextual needs analysis and its relevance to change and improvement. Participants will learn about processes that lead to pinpointing root causes that can be influenced to result in significant improvement at district and school levels. This multi-day program carefully and thoroughly guides schools and districts through a successful improvement process. Participants engage deeply in the following actions:

• Establish a collaborative research team (CRT) that involves representatives of all stakeholder groups impacted by the analysis and improvement process.
• Engage in a thorough needs analysis involving an intensive review of both local and statewide data, multi-tiered interviews, surveys, and observations.
• Analyze data utilizing a two-pronged inquiry process that consists of an examination of successful areas to replicate and an analysis of challenge areas to address.
• Identify root causes and determine consequent solutions.
• Develop a comprehensive action plan that organizes feasible and clear steps toward solutions; builds the internal capacity to maintain and continue success; and includes clear goals, data targets, research-based strategies, action steps, and deliverables in a realistic, defined timeline. The action plan also includes a strong theory (logic model) anchored in evidence and research.
• Engage parents from different cultures and increase parental voice in decision-making. Identify culturally response strategies for continuing to increase parental involvement.
• Create a positive image of your school/district in the community through branding, marketing, and community events.
• Identify funding sources and write grants and proposals for program funding.