Effective preparation is key to navigating OSEP’s DMS 2.0 process. NCSI’s technical assistance supports SEAs in understanding the general supervision and DMS expectations, identifying strengths and areas of need, preparing for monitoring, and addressing any improvement activities and findings.
- Getting Started
Orientation to General Supervision and DMS - Identifying Strengths and Needs
Gap Analysis - Preparing for Monitoring
Discovery Phase - Preparing for Monitoring
Engagement Phase - Closeout Phase
Addressing Improvement Activities and Findings
Getting Started:
Orientation to General Supervision and DMS
Suggested Activities
- Assemble DMS team (state staff and cross-center TA team)
- Understand DMS process and expectations (introduction and overview, etc.)
- Create DMS preparation timelines
- Set meeting schedule with TA team
Related Resources
Identifying Strengths and Needs:
Gap Analysis
Suggested Activities
- Review characteristics of high-quality general supervision systems
- Conduct gap analysis
- Consider state system against OSEP expectations and identify gaps/areas for improvement
- Consider current documentation of state system and identify gaps/areas for improvement, including content on SEA’s website
- Prioritize needed improvements including
- Changes to policies, practices, and procedures to align with OSEP requirements and expectations
- Documentation of processes and procedures
- Create a timeline for addressing identified gaps
- Craft the “story of your system”
Related Resources
- OSEP QA 23-01
- DMS protocols (OSEP)
- Adapted protocols for state use
- DMS 2.0 Document Review & Request Template (OSEP)
- Checklist for Assessing the State General Supervision System
- Characteristics of a high-quality general supervision system: NCSI General Supervision Toolkit
Preparing for Monitoring:
Discovery Phase
Suggested Activities
- Complete DMS document review/request template
- Identify and gather evidence
- Respond to clarifying questions
- Continue to review and refine responses to DMS protocols as well as gather materials and evidence
- Prepare for engagement
- Engage community partners, State Advisory Panel, and LEAs to explain their role in the DMS process
- Engage in mock interviews with state staff, facilitated by TA staff
- Consider logistics of OSEP visit
Related Resources
- DMS 2.0 Document Review & Request Template (OSEP)
- DMS protocols (OSEP)
- Adapted protocols for SEA use
- DMS Interview Tips
- Logistics Preparation Worksheet
Preparing for Monitoring:
Engagement Phase
Suggested Activities
- Participate in virtual or onsite OSEP DMS visit and related calls/meetings
- Debrief visit: Identify issues and lessons learned from OSEP DMS visit
Closeout Phase:
Addressing Improvement Activities and Findings
Suggested Activities
- Prior to OSEP DMS report issuance: Prioritize next steps based on identified issues and lessons learned from OSEP DMS visit
- Upon OSEP DMS report issuance: Prepare action plan to address all findings within timelines stipulated by OSEP
- Implement improvement/action plan based on OSEP findings and systems gap analysis
- Continue to review, revise, and refine system as needed based on ongoing feedback loops
