Empowering Action for School Improvement (EASI) October 2018

Agenda Provide background and context for the development of the EASI process Introduce the basic structure of the EASI application, including the routes, available funding and service opportunities Walkthrough the online application system and available technical assistance during the application process

Intent of EASI To better leverage state and federal school improvement funds (e.g., 1003a through ESSA and the School Transformation Grant through HB 18-1355) Streamline school improvement opportunities and resources into a single application, process, and timeline to reduce the administrative burden and increase the predictability of the availability of these resources and opportunities Use a “needs-based approach” to award services and funding Prioritize LEAs with high numbers or high percentages of low-performing schools

Changes from 2017 Application Added and expanded services Exploration (English Learners, Students with IEPs, Literacy) Connect For Success (middle, high, AEC) Expanded eligibility (state/federal) 2. Reduced number of routes 3. Expanded eligibility for services 4. Incorporated budget in the online application

Prioritization and Eligibility (Federal Funds) ESSA 1003a funds will be prioritized as follows: ● CS – lowest 5% and on state accountability clock; ● CS – low grad and on state accountability clock; ● CS – lowest 5% and not on state accountability clock; ● CS – low grad and not on state accountability clock; ● A-TS and on state accountability clock; ● A-TS and Improvement plan type; ● A-TS and Performance plan type; ● TS (17-18 and/or 18-19) and on state accountability clock; ● TS (17-18 and/or 18-19) and Improvement plan type; ● TS (17-18 and/or 18-19) with a Performance plan type; and then ● Any school identified for improvement because of low participation in the state assessment (applying the same logic above). ESSA State

Prioritization and Eligibility (State Funds) State Level School Transformation funds will be prioritized in the following order: Year 6 or beyond: Schools or districts on clock that have received a directed action from the State Board of Education Years 4 and 5: Schools or districts that are nearing the end of clock Year 3: Schools or districts in year 3 of the accountability clock Years 1 and 2: Schools or districts that are earlier on the accountability clock (e.g., schools in year 1 or 2 of the accountability clock) Years 1 through 5: Schools or districts that are earlier on the accountability clock (e.g., schools in years 1-5) for low participation ESSA State

Available Funds Approximately $10 million is available for award through ESSA Approximately $1.9 million for the School Transformation Grant The amount of funding an LEA may apply for is dependent on the chosen route(s). Included in support documents.

Routes and Supports

Services and Funding Opportunities EASI Overview Services and Funding Opportunities ESSA Identified Only ESSA and State Clock State Clock Only Exploration Supports Route Exploration Activities (i.e., external diagnostic review, community engagement, improvement planning) Yes District Designed and Led Improvement Strategies Route District Designed and Led Offered Services Route Accountability Pathways Planning and Implementation Year 3-5 on clock for planning; Beyond Year 5 (State Board of Education has directed action) for implementation N/A Colorado Multi-Tiered System of Supports (CO-MTSS) Connect for Success No current Turnaround Network or Tiered Intervention Grant (TIG) Fundamentals of Literacy Instruction Training Aimed at K-3 staff. Other staff may participate in training. School Turnaround Leaders Development School Turnaround Network No current Connect for Success or TIG Continuation of CDE Offered Services Route This route only applies to schools currently participating in CDE offered services, including the Turnaround Network and Connect For Success. Schools have already met continuation requirements. LEAs with Connect for Success or Turnaround Network schools do not need to reapply within this application.

Exploration Supports Good fit for district/schools that would benefit from: External Review Meaningful Stakeholder Engagement Thorough Improvement Planning

District Designed and Led Good fit for: Districts and schools ready for implementation and have vision and infrastructure to support bold change Highlights: Design your own initiative Build from previous external review, meaningful stakeholder engagement, and solid planning Identify evidence-based strategy with a fit for context New! Ability to expand previous DDL initiative (Initial/Expansion)

Offered Services Good fit for LEAs/schools interested in applying for an existing program or support aimed at improving school systems. Accountability Pathways Planning and Implementation Colorado Multi-Tiered System of Supports (CO-MTSS) Connect for Success Fundamentals of Literacy Instruction Training School Turnaround Leaders Development Program School Turnaround Network

EASI Paper Application The paper application is intended: To provide detailed information about the program To be a detailed document that contains a copy of all resources found on the EASI website; and To be used for planning application responses. Tip: Use the paper application to plan your responses before entering them into the online application. You may also find it helpful to use a Word document to organize and edit your responses before “cutting and pasting” into the online application. Note: applications submitted outside of the online system will not be accepted.

EASI Website Program Website: www.cde.state.co.us/fedprograms/easiapplication Program Information and Resources: Application Route Information Online Application Access Application Resources Additional Technical Assistance

Application Access Applications for the Empowering Action for School Improvement (EASI) Grant will be submitted online. To Access the Application: each interested LEA must designate an Application Contact and submit the name and contact information at the following link: www.surveymonkey.com/r/EASIappaccess. Once contact information has been submitted, access instructions will be emailed to the Application Contact. EASI Application Website www.cde.state.co.us/fedprograms/easiapplication

Walk Through of Online Application

Technical Assistance

Additional Technical Assistance EASI Support Fair LEA and school staff are invited to participate in an event designed to highlight supports and funding available through the EASI grant process. Attendees will be able to meet and connect with CDE staff, learn more about external program providers, and work with their teams to plan for the application process. Date: October 8, 2018 Time: 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Location: Tesla PD Center (2560 International Cir., Colorado Springs, CO 80910) Register: www.eventbrite.com/e/easisupport-fair-tickets-48179081931 Virtual Office Hours Dedicated technical assistance time with CDE staff members (via web-conference) may be scheduled in 15-30 minute time slots on the following dates: Thursday, October 11, from 2:00 – 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, October 17, from 2:00 – 3:30 p.m. Friday, October 19, from 9:00 – 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, October 24, from 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm Friday, October 26, from 9:00 – 10:30 a.m. Register: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080545aaaa2caafc1-easi

Important Dates Date Activity Oct 3 Application Information Webinar: 2:30 to 3:30p.m. Oct 8 EASI Support Fair (Colorado Springs) 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Oct 11 Office Hours: 2:00 – 3:30 p.m. Oct 17 Oct 19 Office Hours: 9:00 – 10:30 a.m. Oct 24 Oct 26 Office Hours: 9:00 – 10:30 p.m. Nov 9 Applications due to CDE Nov - Dec Review of Applications Dec 14 Applicants will be notified of application status. Dec 2018 – Jan 2019 LEAs receiving grants will work with CDE to finalize grant activities, budget, and an implementation timeline.

Individual Technical Assistance Upon request, Individual Technical assistance is available. To request technical assistance: For General Questions: Laura Meushaw 303-866-6618 | Meushaw_L@cde.state.co.us   For Online Application Technical Assistance: Kim Burnham 303-866-6916 | Burnham_K@cde.state.co.us For District Specific Questions: Contact the CDE Support Coordinator assigned to the district Technical Area Contact Information General Application Questions Laura Meushaw (Meushaw_L@cde.state.co.us or 303-866-6618) Online Application Technical Assistance Kim Burnham (Burnham_K@cde.state.co.us or 303-866-6916) Budget Questions For District Specific Questions Evan Davis (Davis_E@cde.state.co.us or 303-866-6129) Contact the CDE Support Coordinator assigned to the district. Exploration Supports Route Exploration Activities (Diagnostic Review, Community Engagement, Improvement Planning) Jennifer Morgan (Morgan_J@cde.state.co.us or 303-866-5499) Lisa Medler (Medler_L@cde.state.co.us or 303-866-6993) District Designed and Led Improvement Strategies Route District Designed and Led Brad Bylsma (Bylsma_B@cde.state.co.us or 303-866-6937) Offered Services Route Accountability Pathways Planning and Implementation Brenda Bautsch (Bautsch_B@cde.state.co.us or 303-866-6174) Colorado Multi-Tiered System of Supports Scott Ross, PhD (Ross_S@cde.state.co.us or 303-866-6853) Connect for Success Fundamentals of Literacy Instruction Training Alex Frazier (Frazier_A@cde.state.co.us or 303-866-6016) School Turnaround Leaders Development Andy Swanson (Swanson_A@cde.state.co.us or 720-724-4827) Turnaround Network