Frameworks to Gather and Analyze Process Data

Districts and Schools will gather and analyze process data annually.  The District Improvement Framework 2.0 and the School Improvement Framework 2.0 provide the standards and key indicators for measuring quality processes for K-12 systems.  To document their work districts complete the District System Review (DSR) and schools complete the School System Review (SSR).  Schools and districts can complete these reviews using  ASSIST diagnostics.  
Resources from MDE:
Resources for Conducting a District Systems Review
Resources for Conducting a School Systems Review
_____________________________________________________________
​Note for AdvancED Accredited Schools:  Follow the AdvancED guidelines for gathering process data and using the School Quality Factors Diagnostic to analyze the data.
_____________________________________________________________________

Is what we're doing in education working to improve teaching and learning ... how do we know?  
This essential question summarizes the two aligned frameworks: District Improvement Framework 2.0 (DIF) and School Improvement Framework 2.0 (SIF).  
NOTE: These apply to MDE accredited schools NOT AdvancED (NCA) accredited schools.

Involving stakeholders in the gathering data and analyzing the Improvement Frameworks.

There are practical ways to involve stakeholders in the completion the Improvement Frameworks without the administrator completing the report in solitude.  Ideally, the district/school would have selected a few indicators to focus on over a three- to five-year period.  Here are a few practical steps:
1) GATHER staff perception for the 10 District Standards or 26 School Indicators.  You may want to consider how you will collect the data in order to define areas of focus; consider surveying staff OR having small groups divide up the work and report out OR a carousel.

Option 1: Review responses from last year's Improvement Framework

Review last year's report and discuss ONLY those few indicators you decided to focus on previously.

Option 2: Survey Staff

Preview and Directions
  • The podcast above will demonstrate how to gain access and make a copy of the appropriate survey (Google Form).  To preview these surveys click any of the following links:  District Systems Review Survey, School Systems Review Survey.
  • COPY HERE: Each of the above surveys are located in a Google Drive Folder.  For those who are tech savvy, open the folder in Drive and "Make a Copy." For everyone else, watch the brief video for copying surveys (90 seconds) which is also embedded at the top of this column.
  • Staff rate each indicator on a four point scale that corresponds with the rubric from the DSR or SSR document.
  • SI Team and Administrator review the results and highlight a few key indicators to discuss (i.e. lowest indicators and those with the most variance in responses).
  • At a staff meeting, celebrate a couple high points and discuss the indicators with the most variance (those where some staff rated very low and others very high).  Also discuss the lowest indicators.
  • Select indicators to FOCUS throughout the year and in the coming years and brainstorm next actions steps to be taken.
  • For the next 3-5 years, you may choose to fully engage the staff in addressing those select few indicators, rather than addressing all. 
Option 3: DIVIDE AND CONQUER
  • Divide staff up into small, diverse groups (varied grades/contents in each group).
  • Print the framework document  such that each indicator can be separated, preferably on one sheet of paper:  District System Review, School System Review, (NOTE: DSR & SSR last updated 11/2014).  If you feel as though culture is not addressed sufficiently, consider the ASCD Whole Child Initiative or view a select sample of indicators addressing Health, Safety and Engagement.
  • Disperse the indicators as if dealing out a deck of cards to better assure a variety of indicators for each group.
  • Have each group discuss their indicators, rating the building overall.
  • Then have each group use the DSR or SSR rubrics to select the paragraph that best describes the school's status, as well as checking each piece of supporting evidence that applies.
  • Have each group join another group (or two) and discuss which indicators should be the top priority/focus for the next three to five years.  REPEAT this process until there is only one large group identifying the key indicators (7 indicators or fewer recommend).
  • For the next 3-5 years, you may choose to only fully engage the staff in addressing those select few indicators, rather than addressing all.  
OR a 4th OPTION:
  • Set each indicator out around the room and have small groups station at one to discuss and rate.  
  • Rotate the groups 2-3 times to get more input on each indicator.
  • Follow the other steps to narrow down to just a few indicators to track.
2) DISCUSS:  In addition to the staff discussion above, have a smaller group of staff (i.e. SI Team) look over the responses collectively, transfer to DSR or SSR documents, and answer any additional questions not tied to a specific indicator.  Typically, groups choose a couple indicators to celebrate and a few indicators on which to focus.  You may also wish to have the staff brainstorm possible ways to improve their status on the focus indicators, as this will eventually tie directly to the School Improvement Plan.
3) Finally, report the results of your work the in the completed DSR or SSR document and file with central office by June 30.