State Education Agencies set policy and funding priorities and make decisions that influence student and school success.
Mass Insight recognizes the critical role state education agencies play in creating conditions and providing supports so that districts and schools can thrive.
Diagnostics for State Education Agencies
State Education Agency Diagnostic Review
Mass Insight assesses the extent to which an SEA is maximizing its available resources to develop the capacity of LEAs and improve school performance. We begin with our 7-point framework, developed with SEAs through our state development network; we also offer significant customization to assess particular SEA initiatives, programs, and divisions/offices. Our reports provide a limited number of high-leverage recommendations and are often a starting point for strategic planning.
Custom Program Evaluation
Mass Insight conducts tailored program evaluation to support departments’ understanding of current programmatic strengths, growth opportunities, and next steps to support improvement. Our evaluation approach starts by defining key research questions the evaluation seeks to answer, followed by an extensive data and artifact review, stakeholder engagement activities (surveys, focus groups, and interviews) to inform a report of findings to support the department’s strategic next steps. Some of our past custom program evaluations include special education, MTSS, discipline, and alternative education programs.
Planning for State Education Agencies
State Education Agency Planning and Department Planning
Mass Insight helps SEAs develop actionable plans and strategies that build from strengths to address root causes of gaps and low performance. Our process includes a needs assessment/diagnostic review, root cause analysis, strategy and goal setting, and action planning. We engage representative stakeholders to ensure the plan recognizes district, school and student needs, focuses on a few key priorities, and reflects the capacity of staff to implement. We prepare professional, comprehensive plans and support communication and dissemination with internal and external audiences to build investment in the plan.
Implementation for State Education Agencies
Theory of Action and Framework Development and Implementation
Mass Insight supports SEAs in the design and implementation of theories of action and frameworks to support statewide organization and coherence of school and district improvement efforts. Our process creates a shared vision and language for success (theory of action), and through an inclusive process, defines the specific effective practices, conditions, and/or criteria for success. Resulting frameworks equip districts and schools with the conditions they need to address root causes, as well as build leadership capacity and collective responsibility for improvement.
Performance Monitoring and Management
Mass Insight partners with SEAs and department teams to support ongoing monitoring and management of their strategic plans. Strong plans (read our Road Map to Developing a School Improvement Plan) describe who is doing what when to advance priorities, and we support SEAs and department teams to establish a regular monitoring process, create data tools, and provide protocols and training to build leadership capacity.
Executive Leadership Coaching
Mass Insight partners with department leaders to provide strategic leadership coaching. Our executive leadership coaching includes: vision setting and planning support about department operational or cultural direction; facilitated short- and long-term department priorities, metrics, and strategies; design and research support; and ongoing implementation and management thought partnership.
Are you ready to create more student success in your school or district?
Our team of former teachers, school and district leaders, and policy experts are ready to support you. Please fill out your contact info and we’ll get right back to you to talk about ways we can partner together.