1. Empowering Action for School Improvement (EASI)
October 2018

2. 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

3. Intent of EASI
To better leverage state and federal school improvement funds (e.g., 1003a through ESSA and the School Transformation Grant through HB )
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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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.

8. Routes and Supports

9. 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.

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

11. 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)

12. 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

13. 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.

14. EASI Website
Program Website:
Program Information and Resources:
Application Route Information
Online Application Access
Application Resources
Additional Technical Assistance

15. 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: Once contact information has been submitted, access instructions will be ed to the Application Contact. EASI Application Website

16. Walk Through of Online Application

17. Technical Assistance

18. 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: Virtual Office Hours Dedicated technical assistance time with CDE staff members (via web-conference) may be scheduled in 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:

19. 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.

20. Individual Technical Assistance
Upon request, Individual Technical assistance is available. To request technical assistance:
For General Questions:
Laura Meushaw |
For Online Application Technical Assistance:
Kim Burnham |
For District Specific Questions:
Contact the CDE Support Coordinator assigned to the district
Technical Area
Contact Information
General Application Questions
Laura Meushaw or )
Online Application Technical Assistance
Kim Burnham or )
Budget Questions
For District Specific Questions
Evan Davis or )
Contact the CDE Support Coordinator assigned to the district.
Exploration Supports Route
Exploration Activities (Diagnostic Review, Community Engagement, Improvement Planning)
Jennifer Morgan or )
Lisa Medler or )
District Designed and Led Improvement Strategies Route
District Designed and Led
Brad Bylsma or )
Offered Services Route
Accountability Pathways Planning and Implementation
Brenda Bautsch or )
Colorado Multi-Tiered System of Supports
Scott Ross, PhD or )
Connect for Success
Fundamentals of Literacy Instruction Training
Alex Frazier or )
School Turnaround Leaders Development
Andy Swanson or )
Turnaround Network