1. Aligning Educational Initiatives
Rob Horner
University of Oregon

2. ----------------------------
Challenge:
We have more “programs” or “initiatives” or “practices” than can be implemented well.
How to align for efficiency and effectiveness

3. Goals Define need for initiative alignment.
Propose key features of effective alignment
Provide one example from PBIS
Provide template for future efforts.

4. Alignment
New emphasis on “sustainability” and “efficiency” have heightened attention on the need for effective systems of alignment.
McIntosh
One of the major variables to sustained implementation of effective practices is the introduction of new initiatives that either (a) compete with resources needed for sustained implementation or (b) contradict existing initiatives.
We know more about how to conduct small-scale “demonstrations” than how to take effective demonstrations and make the highly efficient “standard operation procedures.”

5. Key Features of Effective Alignment
Align multiple initiatives at the organizational level where a common budget authority exists.
Align multiple initiatives by using a common outcome measure to assess effectiveness.
Build aligned professional development by comparing and combining the “core features” of multiple initiatives.
Compare fundamental assumptions
Start with common “core features” and compare the practices used to achieve these features.
Determine how to incorporate additional core features with efficiency
Build single Professional Development curricula that combine core features.
Resolve Logic Model Conflict

6. Effective Alignment of Initiatives
Organizational Unit
Core Feature Summary for each Initiative
Single Prof
Devel
Plan
(with coaching, policy, data systems)
Initiative A
Initiative B
Initiative C
Fidelity and Outcome Measures

7. Effective Alignment of Initiatives
Use District-Level Leadership Team for coordination and implementation.
Use Restorative Practices for the classroom and administrator “consequence system”… supplemented with district policy and procedures for safety.
Use Second Step materials and procedures to teach school-wide expectations.
Use PBIS framework for team development, reward system, family engagement, bully prevention, classroom management protocols, data system, and Tier II, Tier III supports.
Use PBIS fidelity measures (TFI) and SISEP District Capacity Assessment (DCA) to assess development of organizational capacity.
Use PBIS student outcome measures (Office Discipline Referrals, Attendance, Suspension, Expulsion) Add… juvenile justice contacts/arrests.
Organizational Unit
Core Feature Summary for each Initiative
Single Prof
Devel
Plan
(with coaching, policy, data systems)
Restorative
Practices
Second Step
PBIS
Fidelity and Outcome Measures

8. Align Initiative A and B
Selecting the Organizational Unit for Alignment
Initiative A
State
Region
District
School
Classroom
Initiative B
State
Region
District
School
Classroom
Where do you Align?
Initiative A is mandated by the State Department with funds to district and Initiative B is selected and funded by the District School Board.
Initiative A is mandated by the Federal Government and Initiative B is mandated by the state legislature.
Rule: Select the Smallest Organizational Unit that has budget authority for both initiatives.

9. Align Initiative A and B
Selecting the Outcome Measure for Alignment
Initiative A
ODRs
DIBELS ORF
Math Facts
State Reading Assessment
SEL
Other
Initiative B
ODRs
DIBELS ORF
Math Facts
State Reading Assessment
SEL
Other
Where do you Align?
Initiative A focuses on building K-5 reading fluency. Initiative B focuses on literacy error correction.
Initiative A focuses on gender harassment and Initiative B focuses on gang violence .
Rule: Select one outcome measure for both initiatives. Preferably a progress monitoring measure

10. Align Initiative A and B
Define and link core features for Alignment
PBIS
3-5 School-wide expectations
Formal reward systems
Formal consequences for problem behavior
Data system for assessing fidelity
Data system for assessing impact.
Bully Prevention
School-wide Expectations
Teach Response to Bullying Behavior
Exaggerate reward for appropriate behavior
Immediate consequences for bullying
Recruit help
Rule: Separate “core features” from practices. Select common core features, link professional development.

11. Logic Models Matter
Consider not only what is being recommended but the assumptions about WHY recommendations should work.
Remember nearly all initiatives have a useful contribution
Initiatives with conflicting logic models are more difficult to align.
Discovery Learning vs. Explicit Instruction
Teach emotions to guide behavior vs. Teach the Behaviors you Want.
Rewards damage intrinsic motivation vs. Rewards build intrinsic motivation
Facilitated Communication
It is worth taking time to find common ground.
Restorative justice

12. Summary
Introducing conflicting and competing initiatives is among the best ways to reduce sustained implementation of effective practices.
The state, district or school leadership has the responsibility to align initiatives:
Alignment should occur at the level of the organization where common budget authority exists
Alignment requires selection of common outcome measure(s)
Alignment is best done by:
Selecting core features
Coordinating professional development (together not separate)

13. Your Examples Initiatives to improve early literacy
Initiatives to improve social behavior
Initiatives to reduce drop out