State Support System for Districts

New Hampshire

Department of Education

State Accountability

NCLB requires the following: “A State shall identify for improvement any local education agency

(district) that, for two consecutive years, has not made adequate yearly progress as defined in the State’s plan.”

The State has identified 18 districts as Districts In Need of Improvement based on two years of NHEIAP data:

9 districts are identified in area of reading7 districts are identified in the area of mathematics 2 districts have been identified in both reading and mathematics

State’s Responsibility for Technical Assistance

RSA 193 H - Local Education ImprovementThe Department of Education and the State Board of

Education shall work cooperatively with the school or school district to provide assistance.

NCLB For each local education agency (district) identified

under paragraph (3), the State education agency shall provide technical assistance or other assistance if requested, as authorized under section 1117.

This is a National Dialogue

Standards-based reform requires changes in the role of state education agencies and district central offices.

Districts are critical to the improvement process through the provision of resources, information and incentives to facilitate school improvement.For each school identified for school improvement, the district shall

ensure the provision of technical assistance – this includes analyzing data from the state assessments and other examples of student work, to identify and address problems in instruction.

States play a key role in supporting districts as they move through this process: needs assessment, planning, resources for implementation, and evaluation

Taken from a CCSSO report – March 2003

What does the law require?

SEC. 1117. SCHOOL SUPPORT AND RECOGNITION.

(a) SYSTEM FOR SUPPORT,-(1) IN GENERAL, - Each State shall establish a statewide

system of intensive and sustained support and improvements for local education agencies and schools receiving funds under this part, in order to increase the opportunity for all students served by the agencies and schools to meet the State’s academic content standards and student academic achievement standards.

What is the State’s Responsibility?

STATEWIDE SYSTEM

1. Establishing school support teams.2. Providing such support as the State educational agency

determines necessary and available in order to ensure the effectiveness of such teams.

3. Designating and using distinguished teachers and principals chosen from schools served under this part that have been especially successful in improving academic achievement.

4. Devising additional approaches to providing assistance, such as providing assistance through institutions of higher education and educational service agencies or other local consortia, and private providers of scientifically based technical assistance.

Student

Standards-Based CurriculumInstructionAssessment

Structural Reform Strategies

Leadership & Governance

External Support/ Resources

Culture & Climate

Professional Development

Data-Based Accountability & Evaluation

Extended Learning Activities

Parent & Community Involvement

The NH Focus?

What will the New Hampshire Process be?

Stage I District –level Data Analysis

(3/1/05 to 6/30/05)

1. Data Grants available-Facilitator chosen-Data Team created

2. On-line Root Cause Data Analysis Course Available3. Meet with Department for 10% set-aside information4. Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed5. Priority areas identified through data analysis are

submitted

What will the New Hampshire Process be?

Stage II District Improvement Planning

(7/01/05 to 9/1/05)

1. Grants for participation in HOPE and finalization of plan available-Facilitator continued -District Improvement Planning Team created

2. Participate in HOPE for the Purpose of:-Setting goals with measurable objectives-Creating action steps for activities with benchmarks-Increasing awareness of resources to increase student achievement

3. District Improvement Plan submitted 

What will the New Hampshire Process be?

Stage III Implementation Phase (9/2/05 to 8/30/06)  

          1.  District Activities funding available2. District Improvement Coordinator chosen. Individual

will participate in Department monthly meetings.3. District Continuous Improvement Team created and

begins work based on district plan.

 

How much Funding (Planning and Implementation) is available and when?

Stage I – Data Grants ($5,000)

Stage II – Grants to support participation in HOPE and finalization of district plan.

Stage III – Implementation Grants ($75, 000/ $50,000/ $25,000)

Amount based on an indexing scale calculated using size of district’s student population and district’s free and reduced lunch percentage.

 

What are the required rewards and sanctions?

Sanctions – 10% Title I Set-AsideDistrict In Need of Improvement PlanDistrict cannot be an SES Provider

Rewards – Identification of schools closing the

achievement gap

What Technical Assistance and Supports can the Department provide?

Data analysis training. Funding for facilitators to help districts develop

improvement plans. Facilitated team time work through HOPE. Needs assessment tool to target resources. Content specialists to help district/schools with

curriculum content alignment. Development of trained peer reviewers to

evaluate district/school improvement progress. Brokering of cost efficient consultant services

for districts/schools.

Planning Timeline

March - AprilRoot Cause Analysis course

1. Deadline for Registration: March 25, 20052. Facilitator's Training Day: March 29, 2005, 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.3. Course begins: April 5, 2005

May 10% Set-Aside Meeting: May 3, 2005 June

1. Priority Areas identified: June 30, 20052. HOPE Team chosen

July1. CSI (Curriculum Support Institute), - July 24-29, 2005 Grand Summit Hotel,

Bartlett August

1. HOPE Institute – August 8-12, 2005, Crowne Plaza Hotel, Nashua2. District Improvement Coordinator chosen3. Continuous Improvement District Support Team Selected

September District Improvement Plan with Action Steps for funding due: September 1, 2005

Implementation Timeline

Monthly Meetings for District Coordinators to: Address the specific needs of districts Periodically review progress Obtain information on specific topics such

as:1. Closing the Achievement Gap

2. Professional Development

3. Parent and Community

4. Scientifically Based Research

The Departments next steps include:

1. Identifying and training facilitators, peer reviewers, content coaches and distinguished educators as resources.

2. Sponsoring Root Cause Analysis data training.

3. Providing details about accessing grant resources and HOPE participation.

4. Providing a District Planning Template

Questions?

Timelines are needed with deadlines.

Attention to populations: SPED, ELL.

What will be the role of school improvement coordinators?

Communication – back up e-mails are needed.

Calendar is on Department web www.ed.state.nh.us – Office of Accountability.

lpatusky@ed.state.nh.us 271-3828

pezen@ed.state.nh.us 271-7301

dfair@ed.state.nh.us 271-3301

gguzouskas@ed.state.nh.us 271-5873