A State-District Partnership Approach for School Improvement: The Kansas Learning Network

1. A State-District Partnership Approach for School Improvement:The Kansas Learning Network Diane DeBacker, Interim Commissioner of Education Kansas Department of Education ECS National Forum on Education Policy Portland, Oregon August 20, 2010

2. Presentation Overview • History of the Kansas Learning Network (KLN) • Description of the KLN • KLN progress to date • Implications for other states

3. Kansas Student Population Trends(Percent of K-12 Enrollment)

4. The Rationale for the KLN “The power of states in education matters has grown since the time of Brown v. Board of Education (1954) when states were required to assume responsibility for ensuring equity for students”1 • Districts struggling to demonstrate AYP require a range of supports. • There are no “silver bullets” -- each district is unique. • Leaders are isolated -- districts would benefit from developing relationships and sharing practices and supports. 1Augustine, C. & Russell, J.  (April 2010) ‘STATE OF THE STATES.”  National Journal of Staff Development, vol. 31 No. 2, pages 30-35. 4

5. Goals of the KLN • Improve school and district quality as measured by student outcomes. • Foster a sustainable continuous improvement process at the school, district, and state levels including changes in the way KSDE operates. • Provide a “critical friend” to help facilitate change at all levels. 5

6. How KLN Works • Begin with a District-wide Needs Analysis • Focus groups with wide range of stakeholders • Classroom walkthroughs by external consultants & staff from both district being studied & other school districts. • Provides basis for improvement planning • Provide Targeted Technical Assistance • District facilitators • Implementation coaches for individual schools • Create Opportunities for Networking • Both in-person and electronically

7. KLN Approach Aligns with Research on Best Practices A recent study by RAND, commissioned by the Wallace Foundation, articulated 5 strategies for states to adopt in support of school improvement all of which link to key elements in the KLN approach.

8. Strategies Include: • Making strategic decisions driven by context, structures & capacity of state to promote engagement across all participating districts; • Building trust as state shifts from compliance monitors to support providers; • Engaging in continuous improvement of practices that work; • Using data from monitoring districts to provide them with support; and • Structuring leadership improvement work to have lasting impacts.

9. Advantages to KSDE • Provides additional short-term support to KDSE staff to support high-need schools. • Builds a cohort of local, experienced TA providers that can continue to support Kansas schools. • Provides KSDE a ground level view of how best to organize our own resources to support school improvement.

10. Where KLN Is Now • 1st cohort started 2008 with 5 districts • 2nd-3rd cohorts added in 2009 for a total of 17 districts • 4th cohort will be added in 2010 for a total of 26 districts • These districts account for 32% of students in Kansas • All districts in Cohorts 1-3 and the state have completed needs assessment and have implementation plans in place • District facilitators and implementation coaches are in place

11. Progress Being Made • Of the 16 districts identified as on improvement in 2009-2010, 7 made AYP in the area of improvement. • Regular reliance on data for assessment and decision-making. • Districts are relying on each other for guidance and support. • Clear feedback loop between states, districts and schools to support operating efficiency.

12. Current Support For Schools Includes: • Supporting the development and implementation of SIPs • Providing coaching to principals • Providing support to staff around the Kansas System of School and District Support • Effectively engage key stakeholders • Providing expertise in reading/math, MTSS (RTI), special pops, curriculum, assessment, and instruction • Assisting in the identification of technical assistance resources • Enhancing data analysis capabilities 14

13. KLN Aligns With Complements And Supports All Improvement Activities In The State • Continues to provide support to schools on improvement while making adjustments to improve processes and extend impact • Tracks progress using student achievement outcomes • Makes strategic use of current funding including Title I, Special Education funding, and 1003(a) and (g) funds • Increases impact of key leaders at KSDE and the districts.

14. Lessons Learned • Creating a culture of support for long-term improvement across the state through the KLN is driving continuous progress. • Collaboration matters when it comes to building and supporting systems for change. • Coherence and leadership are important drivers for reform. • The role of “critical friend” is crucial. • Reformers need to create a sustainability approach both for buy in and for results.

15. For More Information on the KLN Diane DeBacker Interim Commissioner of Education Kansas Department of Education 785-296-3202 ddebacker@ksde.org Or visit the Cross & Joftus website at: www.edstrategies.net