Resources and Supports for Continuous Improvement

• LEAs with federal identifications can schedule a Microsoft Teams meeting with DPI staff through this Bookings link. Multiple staff with relevant expertise will attend, so you can have all your questions answered with one call.
• Technical Assistance Network for Improvement (TA Network): Staff at your CESA—including data experts trained in the WISExplore process—are ready with coordinated supports for your continuous improvement. TA Network Contacts by CESA
• Equitable Multilevel Systems of Support (EMLSS) Project: EMLSS coaches
• DPI Title I Consultant Directory by LEA
• DPI Special Education LEA Contacts
• DPI’s Office of Educational Accountability (OEA): oeamail@dpi.wi.gov

WISExplore Data Inquiry Tools

WISExplore data inquiry supports walk you through the data inquiry and improvement planning process. A sample of available tools:

• Fishbone Diagram tool for examining root causes, based on the key system features of Wisconsin's Equitable Multi-Level System of Support (EMLSS) model
• Influencer Circle Tool for prioritizing hypotheses of root cause
• Data Source Audit Instructions (Google doc); Data Source Audit: Student & Practice Data (link to copy the Google sheet)
• Data Inquiry Journal (DIJ):  Available through WISEdash for Districts, this planning tool works with WISEdata and helps ensure that your plan meets ESSA and IDEA requirements.  

Examining Resource Inequities

• Resource Inequity Data Tool - Blank: This tool helps you assess the alignment of resource allocation (human and material) to equity goals and make changes that empower your improvement efforts. Using this tool helps you meet ESSA requirements related to resource inequities.
• Resource Inequity Data Tool - With Custom Data: This version of the tool, available in SAFE, contains custom data that is updated each year.

Initiative Inventory Resources

• National Implementation Research Network Initiative Inventory Tool
• National Implementation Research Network Initiative Inventory Process Description

Other Needs Assessment & Root Cause Analysis Resources

• State Support Network Needs Assessment Guidebook
• Climate Survey Support (free tools developed by the US Dept. of Education)
• Using Needs Assessment for District and School Improvement, A tactical guide from the Council of Chief State School Officers
• Addressing the Root Causes of Disparities in School Discipline: An Educator's Action Planning Guide, by Safe Supported Learning
• Four Domains for Rapid School Improvement: Indicators of Effective Practice, by WestEd
• U.S. Dept. of Education Nonregulatory Guidance: Using Evidence to Strengthen Education Investments  (contains explanation of tiers of evidence)

• CSI Planning Grants and CSI Implementation Grants
• IDEA flow-through & preschool formula grant
• Using Title I and Title II Funds for Educator Rewards and Incentives in Identified Schools
• Caparas, Ruthie, Kelsey Krausen, Tia Taylor, and Jason Willis. 2017. Resource Allocation Strategies to Support the Four Domains for Rapid School Improvement. San Francisco: WestEd.
• Connecting the Results of Your Root Cause Analysis to How You Spend Your Federal Funds (presentation at the 2020 Federal Funding conference)

• Local stakeholder engagement guidance and resources
• DPI's Family Engagement Resources for Educators webpage
• Dual Capacity Building Framework for Family-School Partnerships
• Flamboyan Foundation's School-Wide Family Engagement Rubric
• Title I Parent & Family Engagement Resources webpage
• Stakeholder Engagement Process handout from the National Implementation Research Network
• Stakeholder Engagement Guidance handout from the National Implementation Research Network

• ESSA Tiers of Evidence: What You Need to Know, from REL Midwest
• Aligning Evidence-Based Clearinghouses with the ESSA Tiers of Evidence, from REL Midwest
• Introductory level presentations on evidence-based improvement strategies:
  • Evidence-Based Improvement Strategies and ESSA Tiers of Evidence
  • Evidence-Based Improvement Strategies Within the Plan-Do-Study-Act Framework
• The Hexagon: An Exploration Tool
• Hexagon Tool Activity
• National Center on Intensive Intervention (AIR)
• National Implementation Research Network Hexagon Tool for evaluating evidence-based improvement strategies
• U.S. Dept. of Education Nonregulatory Guidance: Using Evidence to Strengthen Education Investments  (contains explanation of tiers of evidence)
• Davis, Ja'Dell (2020). Racial Equity Rubric for Reviewing Evidence.  Racial Equity in Research and Evaluation Toolkit. Developed in partnership with DPI and the Wisconsin Evaluation Collaborative at UW-Madison.

• The Network's Educational Equity Leadership Series offers equity-focused workshops and webinars.
• DPI's Equity Mindset Cards are a modular coaching tool to help center equity in improvement efforts.
• The Association of WI School Administrators (AWSA) Data Leadership Academy focuses on the WISExplore data inquiry process.
• The Wisconsin Urban Leadership Institute supports principals in large, urban districts through a professional learning series, leadership coaching, and networking.

• Calendaring Tool for Data Inquiry to support regular examination of data (WISElearn resource)
• Data Inquiry Protocols for PLCs (WISElearn resource)

• Beliefs, Mission, Vision & Values Team Self-Assessment
• Examining Team Structures & Functions Template
• Self-Assessment of Data-Informed Leadership

See also the resources about engaging families and other stakeholders.