School Improvement

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• Cycle of Continuous Improvement
• Site Visits (Public & Nonpublic)
• 2009-2010 Public School District Site Visit Documents
• 2009-2010 Accredited Nonpublic School Site Visit Documents
• School Improvement Team
  

Cycle of Continuous Improvement

The Iowa Department of Education's ( DE ) School Improvement Team, with input and feedback from Iowa's Area Education Agencies (AEAs), provides the following technical assistance documents regarding a suggested cycle of continuous improvement. The resources should be helpful to new administrators, administrators new to Iowa, to AEAs, and to Local Education Agencies ( LEAs ) (local public school districts and accredited non-public schools).

The documents describe a suggested process in which continuous improvement is the primary organizer for school improvement. Though accreditation related to Chapter 12 occurs within a five-year period with a comprehensive site visit and report in Year 3, elements of continuous improvement (i.e., needs assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation) occur each year. The primary focus is on a plan for cyclical implementation and evaluation of programs and services. The processes and products of the comprehensive site visit review for accreditation are most evident in Year 2: Initial Preparation For Comprehensive Review; Year 3: Comprehensive Review; and Year 4: Transition To CSIP Revision. Throughout the Cycle Of Continuous Improvement, the themes of improved schools are addressed: vision, mission, and goals; leadership; collaboration; learning environment; curriculum and instruction; professional development; and monitoring and accountability. LEA , AEA , and DE roles and responsibilities are suggested in the document. Another way to view and understand the suggested process of continuous improvement is through a graphic representation of the cycle that accompanies the technical assistance document.

School Improvement Cycle of Continuous Improvement 10 08 Aug 2009

Cycle of Continuous Improvement Graphic 10 08 Aug 2009

Site Visits

• To assess progress with the Comprehensive School Improvement Plan (CSIP)
• To make recommendations with regard to the visit findings for the purposes of improving educational practices above minimal compliance
• To determine that a school or school district is in compliance with the accreditation standards
• To provide a general assessment of educational practices

Iowa Department of Education Site Visit Team Member Invitation and Sign Up

Site Visit Team Member Invitation 2009-2010

2009-10 School Year

Site Visit Schedule 2009-2010

Public School District Site Visit Documents (2009-2010)

Site Visit Process and History July 2009

Overview Presentation Guidelines 2009-2010 and Seven Themes

Document Review Checklist Public 2009-2010

Document Review Checklist Public 2009-2010 in Word

Sample Site Visit 3-Day Schedule Aug 2009

Sample Schedule Narrative with and without equity Aug 2009

Orientation for Comprehensive Site Visits with focus on Equity 2009-2010

Sample Site Visit Schedule with Equity Aug 2009

Conversation Starters 2009-2010 Aug 2009

Comprehensive Site Visit PowerPoint 2009-2010 Aug 2009

Link to Education Equity Documents

Chapter 12 Matrix Nov 2009

Site Visit Process and History July 2009

Overview Presentation Guidelines 2009-2010 and Seven Themes

Document Review Checklist Non-Public 2009-2010

Sample Non-Public School 2-Day Visit Aug 2009

Conversation Starters 2009-2010 Aug 2009

Comprehensive Site Visit PowerPoint 2009-2010 Aug 2009

Chapter 12 Matrix Nov 2009

Future Nonpublic Site Visit Schedule

List of Required Interviews 2009-2010

Sample Schedule Narrative with and without equity Aug 2009

School Improvement Team

The School Improvement Team at the DE conducts site visits to accredited nonpublic schools and school districts, reviews Annual Progress Reports (APRs), and assists Schools and School Districts in continuous school improvement efforts such as the Comprehensive School Improvement Plan (CSIP). The Team conducts feasibility studies with accredited public school districts seeking options such as Whole Grade Sharing and School District Reorganization. The Team monitors Competent Private Instruction ( CPI ), Specially Accredited Schools, Open Enrollment, School District Waivers and Exemptions, Nonpublic School Accreditation, and Postsecondary Enrollment Options. The Team also helps coordinate the annual Winter Institute.

The following contact information includes the monitoring assignments of each School Improvement Consultant. Schools, School Districts, AEAs, and members of the public should contact the Consultant assigned to their AEA for any school improvement related questions.

Contact Information

Brandie Gean
515-281-4726
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Monitors and provides technical assistance for AEA 10. Comprehensive School Improvement Plan (CSIP) / Annual Progress Report ( APR ) Assistance.

Holly Barnes
515-242-6173
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Monitors and provides technical assistance for AEA 1. Annual Progress Report (APR) / Comprehensive School Improvement Plan (CSIP) Assistance.

Tom Andersen
515-281-3769
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Monitors and provides Equity/Multi-Cultural/Gender Fair Technical Assistance for all Area Education Agencies. Coordinates LEA focused equity site visits. Coordinates AEA focused equity site visits. Coordinates Community Colleges equity site visits.