Steps to Success

What is Steps to Success?  Steps to Success is the New Hampshire adaptation of Indistar (www.indistar.org), a web-based tool developed by the Academic Development Institute (www.adi.org).  Steps to Success (StS) includes two major elements – (1) the web-based tool for documenting, reporting, and monitoring improvement activities, and (2) the recommended design and guidance for conducting a comprehensive and coherent planning process to foster school success. 

Who uses Steps to Success?  Any school or District in New Hampshire can make use of the components of Steps to Success.  A menu of indicators of effective practice that constitute the framework of the tool is provided to serve the diverse needs of New Hampshire schools and districts:

Continuous Improvement Indicators – for all schools interested in examining their work across all dimensions of school operation, including parent and community involvement

Rapid Improvement Indicators – since 2009, required for NH schools identified as restructuring planning year schools (SINI4); optional selected subset for schools in their first year of improvement status

Transformation Toolkit – indicators associated with the federal requirements for recipients of the School Improvement Grants (SIG 1003g);

District Indicators – for local education agencies interested in examining their effectiveness across all areas of district responsibility

In addition to the existing menu of indicators, ADI offers resources specific to indicators of best practice for High Schools, Conditions for Learning (climate and culture), and Response to Intervention (multi-tiered system of support).

How can a school or district begin with Steps to Success?  To decide whether Steps to Success would be a useful tool and process to structure school or district improvement activities, take the “tour” of a sample Steps to Success site by following the directions in the Jump Start document. The sample site demonstrates the work “Mt. Adams Elementary School” did in examining its own practices following the Steps to Success guidance posted on this web page. 

Once you have decided to use Steps to Success, you can reserve a password-protected on-line workspace by submitting the 2012-2013 Steps to Success Registration Form. 

What does Steps to Success cost?  There is no cost to use the Steps to Success workspace or any of the guidance materials provided here. The NH Department of Education is a member of the Indistar Consortium which provides access to all the resources developed by ADI.

How can a school or district make best use of Steps to Success?  The greatest benefits from the use of Steps to Success come from the professional learning that emerges as school and district staff engages in careful, thoughtful and candid conversation about their own work in comparison to the indicators of effective practice. The essential investment is TIME for the school community to engage in meaningful examination of their policies, practices and programs. An external facilitator to provide needed pressure and support may be helpful but is not required. 

Steps to Success Registration for Schools and Districts

 

Overview of the Steps to Success Process

 

Phases of the Continuous Improvement Cycle
1. Establish a Representative Team
2. Assess Current Practices
3. Moving from Assess to Plan
4. Create an Action Plan
5. Submitting a Plan
6. Monitor Progress and Plan Implementation

 

For Restructuring Planning Year Schools (SINI 4)	April 18, 2013 Submitting the Restructuring Plan Webinar April 18, 2013 Submitting the Restructuring Plan Presentation March 14, 2013 Create the Action Plan Webinar March 14, 2013 Create the Action Plan Presentation January 18th, 2013 (SINI 4) Meeting Documents NH Restructuring Plan Instructions and Forms 2013 12 05 11 Orientation to Steps for 2012 SINI 4
For NEW SINIs	Steps for New SINIs Presentation
For SINI 2 and SINI 3	SINI Progress Report for Steps Users
For New DINIs	Steps for New DINIs Presentation

 

SINI 4 Spotlight - periodic newsletter with guidance for restructuring planning year schools using Steps to Success

SINI 5 Focus! - periodic newsletter with guidance for schools monitoring progress as they implement their restructuring plan

 

Karen Laba Consultant for School Improvement karen.laba@doe.nh.gov or karenlaba@comcast.net (603) 743-5129 (603) 969-0988

Kristine Braman Title I Program Assistant Kristine.Braman@doe.nh.gov (603) 271-6055

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