Project: Transitioning from Compliance to a Continuous Improvement Model of School Improvement

Scope

The Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) is focused on transitioning its internal and external work from a compliance approach to a continuous improvement model. To accomplish this transition, the Office of School Quality (OSQ) has requested that the Region 5 Comprehensive Center (R5CC) develop their capacity to: 1) Work and communicate effectively as a team, 2) Embed a continuous improvement model in their internal office operations, 3) Embed a continuous improvement model in their work with divisions in Virginia (VA).

High-Leverage Problem

Virginia policymakers have articulated a desire to transition a tradition of compliance to a continuous improvement model of school improvement. VDOE seeks to develop a model of improvement that provides guidance and support for local school districts to improve outcomes for all students. In part, this is being addressed through active partnerships with the State Implementation & Scaling-up of Evidence-based Practices (SISEP) and the National Comprehensive Center, which is also mentioned in Virginia's submitted American Rescue Plan (ARP) plan. The ARP states that "Virginia has entered into an agreement with SISEP to focus on using the science and practice of implementation to strengthen equity within the public school system, support educators and improve outcomes for children, family and communities" (ARP, 2021). R5CC will support these efforts.

Approach to Capacity-Building Services

In Year 4, the R5CC team will build the capacity of the OSQ team to communicate more effectively both internally and externally using the DISC assessment as a tool; help transition the internal operations of the OSQ and the work the OSQ does with other departments and divisions from a compliance approach to a continuous improvement model; will support OSQ to implement a Networked Improvement Community (NIC) with divisions utilizing evidence-based coaching; and partner with the State Implementation & Scaling-up of Evidence-Based Practices (SISEP) team to align OSQ with other departments using practices with an implementation science enhanced approach to their continuous improvement. The ARP states that “Virginia has entered into an agreement with SISEP to focus on using the science and practice of implementation to strengthen equity within the public school system, support educators and improve outcomes for children, family and communities” (ARP, 2021). R5CC will support these efforts through growing successful communication practices.