Statewide System of Support (SSOS)

Characteristics of Successful Districts is a set of rubrics that can help guide Wisconsin districts as they build on their unique strengths. These rubrics, which are tools for school districts to gain a fuller understanding of their needs, represent the cornerstone of the District Self-Assessment process and Wisconsin's Statewide System of Support. Just as teachers provide support and guidance to the students in their classes, districts should offer focused, differentiated support to each of their schools. Reflective practice should be encouraged from the classroom to the district office. These rubrics provide a framework for the type of continuous reflection that leads to collaboration and bolsters the stamina of educators.

Building capacity for district and school improvement at the district level is a predominant goal in the development of these rubrics. The Characteristics of Successful Districts and its Self-Assessment process can assist a district in identifying specific areas to improve the support the district provides to its low-performing schools.