National Center for Systemic Improvement

Helping states transform systems to improve outcomes for infants, toddlers, children, and youth with disabilities

News & Events

Arizona Uses Data to Maximize the Use of Funding

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Enforcing the regulations that require maximal use of Medicaid funds has been particularly challenging when providing early intervention services in states where Medicaid uses clinic rates that are lower than the natural environment rates covered by state or federal Part C funds. Read how Arizona improved the access to and the use of all available funds. See all of the State Spotlights in the … [Read more...]

West Virginia increases graduation rates for students with disabilities.

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Students with disabilities graduate from high school at lower rates than peers without disabilities. The West Virginia Department of Education aimed to improve school and local education agency access to and use of data to increase graduation rates for students with disabilities. Read how West Virginia piloted the GRADUATION 20/20 initiative and is working toward closing the graduation gap for … [Read more...]

Louisiana creates opportunities for schools to improve instructional decisions.

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The Louisiana Department of Education sought a measurement approach that resulted in accurate and reliable information on student progress and outcomes, yet respected local control over the choice of formative assessment tools. This state spotlight presents initial findings from piloting a categorical data analysis approach to improve student outcomes. See all of the State Spotlights in the … [Read more...]

New NCSI Spotlights: States in Action!

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States are employing innovative strategies to implement, evaluate, and refine their SSIPs and to measure progress toward SiMR outcomes. In the newest NCSI State Spotlight, Iowa describes how the state boosts buy-in for a state assessment system with novel strategies. Click here to read more. See all of the State Spotlights in the NCSI Library … [Read more...]

NCSI is offering a new tool for Checking for Alignment in Every Student Succeeds Act Plans and State Systemic Improvement Plans

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This tool is intended to support State Education Agencies (SEAs) and their stakeholders, as they work to develop state plans pursuant to the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) and ensure these plans lead to better outcomes for all students, including students with disabilities. The tool prompts deeper thinking about the ways a state’s ESSA Plan can help improve achievement and outcomes for students … [Read more...]

Cross-State Learning Collaboratives’ work featured in the latest R&D Alert

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States Collaborate to Improve Outcomes for Children with Disabilities As states have shifted toward a results-driven approach to special education and early intervention services, the National Center for Systemic Improvement has been helping them implement strategic plans to improve outcomes of children with disabilities. To improve outcomes for children with disabilities, the federal … [Read more...]

Webinar: Foundations in IDEA Fiscal Management

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Friday, October 21, 2016 at 1:00 PM EST CIFR, IDC and NCSI are collaborating to provide new state directors and fiscal managers an overview of IDEA fiscal requirements in preparation for the upcoming IDEA Fiscal Forum. Who should attend: New State Directors and Fiscal Managers Why: This webinar will be the first in a series of opportunities introducing participants to the IDEA … [Read more...]

Webinar: Assessment and Instruction for English Learners within Multi-Tiered Systems of Supports

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This webinar will be conducted October 19, 2016 from 2:30-3:30 EST. REGISTER It is critically important for state and local educational agencies to consider English learners with suspected or identified disabilities in planning for assessment and instruction. As part of Results Driven Accountability (RDA), some states have identified State Identified Measureable Results (SiMR) areas focused on … [Read more...]

NCSI Fiscal Support Team: Working with States and NCSI Initiatives

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NCSI Fiscal Support Team: Working With States and NCSI Initiatives Did you know the National Center for Systemic Improvement (NCSI) has a team designated to support states with fiscal issues? The Fiscal Support Team (FST) was established in spring 2015 to support state educational agencies (SEAs) in Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) fiscal analysis, problem solving, and … [Read more...]

NCSI and CCSSO release new publication- ESSA: Key Provisions and Implications for Students with Disabilities.

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In our ongoing efforts to support states in implementing the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), the National Center for Systemic Improvement (NCSI) at WestEd has partnered with the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO) to develop a resource for states that focuses on key provisions and implications for students with disabilities in ESSA. This resource is intended to: assist states … [Read more...]