The Scaling Needs Assessment Community of Practice (CoP) will support states that are early in the process of developing needs assessment tools and processes to support local districts.
Research literature on education needs assessments identifies these key elements of successful needs assessments:
Diverse and Rigorous Data;
Context-specific Data Collection;
Stakeholder Engagement;
Collaborative Identification of Improvement Needs.
The Scaling Needs Assessment CoP will utilize these elements – both the research and real-world examples of related successes and challenges – as a starting place to frame structured dialogue and learning opportunities between SEA participants, supported by three Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) with 10+ years of conducting high-quality needs assessments at the school, district and state levels. The Network will also make use of concrete examples (tools/protocols) and lessons learned from Georgia, Delaware and Arizona, three state teams who participated in a Network-sponsored Peer-to-Peer Exchange (P2P exchange) focused on developing comprehensive needs assessments earlier this year. CoP outcomes will focus on states developing needs assessments based in effective practice, responsive to individual state context and needs, and aligned with the requirements of ESSA.
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Scaling Needs Assessment
CoP Subject Matter Expert Resources
Resources shared by Network SMEs
Active Implementation (AI) HUB communication protocol
Active Implementation (AI) HUB communication protocol: A worksheet from the State Implementation & Scaling-up of Evidence-based Practices Center (SISEP) to aid development of linked communication processes to lessen siloed work.
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Scaling Needs Assessment
CoP Subject Matter Expert Resources
Resources shared by Network SMEs
Good communication requires experimenting with your language
Good communication requires experimenting with your language: Article from Harvard Business Review by Michael Luca and Olivia Hauser. Link:
483
Scaling Needs Assessment
CoP Subject Matter Expert Resources
Resources shared by Network SMEs
Stakeholder Communication – Tips from States
Stakeholder Communication – Tips from States: A best-practice brief from IES.
484
Scaling Needs Assessment
CoP Subject Matter Expert Resources
Resources shared by Network SMEs
Reform Support Network framework for communications and engagement
Reform Support Network framework for communications and engagement: A framework (involve, inquire, inform, inspire) for communication to improve stakeholder engagement through communication.
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Scaling Needs Assessment
CoP Subject Matter Expert Resources
Resources shared by Network SMEs
Understanding Federally Required Education Policy Needs Assessments and Maximizing Their Impact
Understanding Federally Required Education Policy Needs Assessments and Maximizing Their Impact: CCSSO resource authored by Foresight Law and Policy (June 2017) to explain the federal requirements regarding needs assessment under ESSA.
486
Scaling Needs Assessment
CoP Subject Matter Expert Resources
Resources shared by Network SMEs
Needs Assessments: By Primary Responsibility (chart from Foresight Law and Policy)
Needs Assessments: By Primary Responsibility (chart from Foresight Law and Policy): This is a chart created by the SMEs from Foresight Law and Policy to describe the primary SEA and LEA responsibilities regarding the different sections of the needs assessment.
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Scaling Needs Assessment
CoP Subject Matter Expert Resources
Resources shared by Network SMEs
Using Evidence to Strengthen Education Investments
Using Evidence to Strengthen Education Investments: This Non-Regulatory ESSA Guidance from the U.S. Department of Education (September 2016) provides information about ESSA legislation for SEAs. Also includes a reference to how root cause analysis fits into the larger improvement cycle.
488
Scaling Needs Assessment
CoP Subject Matter Expert Resources
Resources shared by Network SMEs
Root Cause Analysis: from Washington State Department of Enterprise Services
Root Cause Analysis: from Washington State Department of Enterprise Services: Resource for further information on root cause analysis from a risk management perspective.
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Scaling Needs Assessment
CoP Subject Matter Expert Resources
Resources shared by Network SMEs
States Leading for Equity-Promising Practices Advancing the Equity Commitments
States Leading for Equity-Promising Practices Advancing the Equity Commitments. A publication by America’s Promise Alliance, the Aspen Institute, and CCSSO from February 2018.
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Scaling Needs Assessment
CoP Subject Matter Expert Resources
Resources developed by Network SMEs
Video
Video on Comprehensive Needs Assessment Organizing Principles: Four-minute video on three organizing principles created by SMEs to provide content that wasn’t covered during the first learning cycle virtual meeting.
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