Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Center Grant Program
Title IV, Part B, of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA)
Self-Assessment
Grantees are required to participate in a regular self-assessment process as a condition of their grant award. To review the allowable assessment tools for use as outlined in the grant requirements, click here: Allowable Assessments.
Schedule for Self-Assessment Implementation
|
Grant Year |
Self-Assessment Requirement |
Due |
|
Year One |
Identify self-assessment tool |
With submission of 21st CCLC Yearly Progress Report |
|
Year Two |
Conduct self-assessment and develop improvement plan |
Summary reported with the 21st CCLC Yearly Progress Report |
|
Year Three |
Implement improvement plan |
Summary and results reported with the 21st CCLC Yearly Progress Report |
|
Year Four |
Continue to implement improvement plan |
Summarize plans for continuous improvement in the 21st CCLC Yearly Progress Report |
|
Year Five |
Continue to revise and implement improvement plan |
N/A |
DPI may request additional evaluation materials and results as needed.
Wisconsin After-School Continuous Improvement Process
Background
The Wisconsin After-School Continuous Improvement Process (WASCIP) (formally known as CIPAS) was originally developed by the National Community Education Association (NCEA). The NCEA version included seven comprehensive program review rubrics covering program administration, financing, family and community relations, and more. In April, 2005, DPI, along with over 80 directors of Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Center Grant Programs (21st CCLCs) across the state, developed eight additional rubrics to address specific program components, such as math and literacy programming. As a result, the WASCIP addresses 21 areas for assessment within the framework of four key areas of program operation:
- Administration
- Programming
- Supportive Environment for Youth Development
- Partnerships
The WASCIP is intended to assist programs in identifying areas for improvement and developing a plan to address them. The assessment tool also offers program staff an opportunity to recognize areas of the program that are exceptional. The DPI, in partnership with Learning Point Associates and the UW-Milwaukee Center for Urban Initiatives and Research, developed an additional component of the assessment process by providing a site with a quality advisor to assist in the process of developing an action plan and implementation based on assessment results. The use of a quality advisor has shown to be an effective element in the development and validation of a program improvement plan. The use of a quality advisor is an additional piece of the WASCIP implementation process and not included in the WASCIP tool available on the website.
WASCIP Self-Assessment Rubric
Supplemental WASCIP Documents
- Appendix A: Some Suggestions for Evidence
- Appendix B: Self-Assessment Main Cover Page
- WASCIP Action Plan Template
- WASCIP Sample Action Plan
- WASCIP Sample Action Plan 2
WI 21st Century Community Learning Centers WASCIP Self-Assessment Action Planning Webinar
On November 8, 2011, Carol McElvain and Fausto López from the American Institute for Research, facilitated a webinar on how to complete the WASCIP process. The webinar provides guidance on how to think intentionally about program assessment, develop an effective improvement plan, identify resources to support improvement strategies, and implement the improvement plan.