Building Leadership
Click an icon or link below to access a resource.
Resources for Getting Started
The toolkit of the Southwest Educational Development Laboratory’s (SEDL’s) National Center for Family and Community Connections is designed to provide information to those who are implementing Title I Part A parental …
The Academic Program Survey (APS) is designed to help schools analyze the extent to which they are providing a coherent instructional program to support improved student achievement. It is based on the nine Essential Program …
This toolkit provides a variety of practical materials to assist external teams in providing technical assistance and conducting needs assessments of districts. The materials are intended to support improving district organizational …
On August 2, 2010, the California State Board of Education adopted the California Common Core Standards. Pursuant to Senate Bill X5 1 (January, 2010), California established the Academic Content Standards Commission to develop …
This California Department of Education webpage hosts information about the Local Control Funding formula including resources and links to legal, fiscal, and practical resources. This website is updated when new information becomes …
The California English Learner (EL) Roadmap: Strengthening Comprehensive Eductsaional Policies, Programs, and Practices for English learners (CA EL Roadmap) was unanimously approved by the …
In this video, Tom Adams, Deputy Superintendent from the California Department of Education, shares selected State resources that can assist in local planning efforts regarding the implementation of the ELA/ELD Framework.
In this video, Nancy Bodenhausen from the California Department of Education shares some State resources that can assist in planning, implementing, and evaluating effective family engagement practices.
In this video, Nancy Bodenhausen from the California Department of Education provides an overview of the State’s Framework for Family Engagement. This document includes information for building family engagement programs and …
This section of the Digital Chalkboard includes many resources to support Migrant Programs across California and assist in the implementation of quality services for migrant students. These resources provide access to state standards …
This Web site provides a variety of resources, including state and federal requirements and policies for parent and community involvement, a policy brief, sample board policies and administrative regulations, and links to additional …
In this video, Tami Wilson from the Sacramento County Office of Education shares a graphic from the California ELA/ELD Framework that represents the conceptual design and organization of this document. The “circles of …
In this video, Tami Wilson from the Sacramento County Office of Education provides information from the Executive Summary of the California English Language Arts/English Language Development Framework. Learn about essential …
The purpose of the District Assistance Survey (DAS) is to help a district analyze its capacity to support a coherent instructional program at all schools and for all students. It is intended to guide a team’s conversation about …
The EdData website provides data specific to California counties, districts, and schools. Information on the following topics is available:
- Student demographic and …
The U.S. Departments of Education (ED) and Justice (DOJ) released joint guidance on January 7, 2015, reminding states, school districts and schools of their …
The U.S. Department of Education issued final ESSA regulations regarding school accountability, data reporting, and state plans in November 2016. This summary provides an overview of the …
In support of establishing strong, healthy, and systematic school, family and community partnerships statewide, the Family Engagement Framework is a tool that describes expectations and implementation strategies …
In this video, Alejandro Hernández from the California Department of Education provides an overview of State resources that support English Learners and the five key themes of the ELA/ELD Framework. This information is useful …
This needs assessment tool was created by the Los Angeles County Office of Education for use by a district assistance and intervention team (DAIT), but can be used by any local educational agency or any external team helping with a …
This document is intended to help district and site administrators enable powerful, equitable learning for all students. The ideas and tools identified are based on research literature, examples of leadership in action, and a case …
In this video, Graciela García-Torres from the Sacramento County Office of Education shares ideas for analyzing data for English learners and provides an overview of a useful tool, the English Learner Subgroup Self-Assessment …
This brief guide provides a framework for planning schoolwide professional development to help schools link professional development to student achievement. It is intended to help schools and districts implement professional …
This guide is intended to empower parents, educators, community members, and students to work together to implement programs, practices, and policies that encourage partnerships between families, schools, and communities to promote …
This California Department of Education (CDE) Web portal focuses on middle schools and provides a wide range of extensive resources. Much of the information relates to 12 major recommendations, each of which has its own chapter. As a …
These downloadable data templates were designed to help analyze district demographic and CAASPP data and plan for improving academic achievement. Users may customize the graphs with their own school, district, and county data for use …
This EdSource publication contains basic LCFF information and provides questions and answers about how the LCFF works in California's school and districts. This guide may be helpful when explaining how the funding formula works …
Until a new ESSA accountability system is operational, LEAs may wish to chart the progress of English learners using these data templates. These downloadable datashells are tools for local educational agencies (LEAs) to chart English …
This document, developed by the CCSSO, offers a framework to help states use ESSA to close opportunity and achievement gaps. Although the intended audience is state leaders, school districts may find helpful advice for ESSA planning …
This report by EdSource examines policies and practices related to Algebra instruction in California. Some of the topics discussed in this report include:
- The status of Algebra instruction and its relationship to …
The ArtsScan website hosts a searchable database of State policies supporting education in and through the arts from all 50 States and the District of Columbia. You can find:
- policy language excerpted directly …
This website hosts the nation's first online research and policy clearninghouse focused on student and teacher outcomes associated with arts learning in and outside of school. Research studies are vetted for rigor and provide …
This guide -- for school board members, parents, teachers, and administrators -- offers concrete actions you can take to grow arts education in the public school system.
This document describes a study of five high-poverty districts, including a small rural and large urban district, which demonstrated improved test scores across grades, subjects, and racial/ethnic groups. Seven factors were deemed as …
These California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP) web page. hosted by the Sacramento County Office of Education, provides resources to help schools and school districts better understand the various …
The Tehama County Office of Education created this helpful data sorting tool to use when displaying and analyzing three years of CAASPP data for a school, district, or county.Use the worksheets to create customized reports to use in …
This California Department of Education (CDE) website features …
This website of the California Department of Education provides access to listings of all K-8 instructional materials that have been adopted by the State Board of Education. The names of adopted programs can be found by subject area …
On August 2, 2010, the State Board of Education (SBE) adopted the California Common Core State Standards (CCCSS). The CCCSS address the content areas of English language arts (ELA) and mathematics. Based on the Common Core State …
This resource consists of a variety of tools and orientation materials to help California educators become familiar with the California Common Core State Standards (CCCSS) and start to plan for their implementation. On August 2 …
This website of the California Department of Education provides access to all of the frameworks adopted by the California State Board of Education (SBE):
- Career Technical Education
- Foreign …
This document describes “foundations” (competencies)—knowledge and skills—for 4- and 5-year old children. The term “foundations” is used rather than “standards” to convey that learning …
This two-page flyer provides a quick overview of the elements in the California School Dashboard released on March 15, 2017.
This online database developed by EdSource provides easy-access to search for California School Dashboard information for schools, districts, and counties. The colors for each indicator are displayed in a grid …
On August 2, 2010, the State Board of Education (SBE) adopted the Common Core State Standards (CCSS), with some additions unique to California. The CCSS address the content areas of English language arts (ELA) and mathematics. These …
The CSSESA Arts Initiative Curriculum Committee agreed to review current educational methodology and research in the area of arts curriculum and arts integration. The committee reviewed literature and developed a current working …
The Calfornia Department of Education's main page for the new accountability and continuous improvement system provides information about how districts and schools are meeting the needs of California’s diverse student …
The Web site of the Center for Applied Linguistics (CAL) provides access to research-based information, resources, research, and professional development to support instruction of English learners (EL). The Center designs and …
The Center for School Change (CSC) website provides links to a variety of resources that support the implementation of change at the school, community, and policy levels to increase student achievement, raise graduation rates, and …
This Web site provides access to research-based materials, resources, and Internet links to support instruction and intervention for English language learners. The site includes exemplary delivery models and professional development …
The Center on Instruction offers materials and resources on Literacy and English Language Arts that help educators improve academic outcomes for students, address the problem of struggling readers, and meet instructional challenges …
The Center on Instruction offers materials and resources on Mathematics and Science instruction and assessment that help educators improve academic outcomes for all students in the content areas of Mathematics and Science. We also …
This document identifies commonalities among improved school districts and is intended to help districts review and revise their current policies, programs and practices to improve student learning. Based on a review and analysis of …
This article identifies characteristics of school districts that have been exceptionally successful in closing gaps in achievement among diverse groups of students, including students in challenging circumstances. Evidence for the …
The Wisconsin Department of Education's Characteristics of Successful Districts offers a set of rubrics that can help guide districts as they build on their unique strengths and plan improvement efforts. Building …
This webpage of the Promising Practices Network provides information regarding Cognitively Guided Instruction (CGI), which is one of many educational programs and practices described by the network as having proven to improve …
This website of the California Department of Education provides access to content standards for all subjects, as adopted by the State Board of Education:
- Career Technical Education
- English Language …
The Council of the Great City Schools advocates for shared standards across districts to set high expectations for students and enable districts to leverage resources so that students achieve them.
The Common Core State …
The Council of the Great City Schools' parent roadmaps in English language arts/literacy provide guidance to parents about what their children will be learning and how they can support that learning in grades K-8. These parent …
California School Information Services (CSIS) provides four types of data management services to improve the quality of local education agency (LEA) data for state reporting and local use:
- Trainings for local data …
This research synthesis looks at the roles families can and do play in efforts to improve academic achievement. The report explores barriers to involvement for minority and low-income families and strategies to address those …
The US Department of Education's Dual Capacity Building Framework focuses on building the capacity of educators and families to work collaboratively to support positive outcomes for all students. This …
The Education Resource Strategies (ERS) website hosts a variety of resources that may be helpful to district and school planning teams. This link features California-specific tools to use for budgeting and determining use of …
This guide, published by the U.S. Department of Education (USDE), describes evidence-based recommendations for literacy instruction for English language learners in the elementary grades. The target audience includes administrators …
EL Roadmap Training Slides (Part 2) includes an overview of the development of the EL Roadmap.
The EL Roadmap (Part 3) training slides provide an introduction to the Roadmap's vision, mission, and guiding principles.
The EL Roadmap Training (Part 4) slides highlight several examples of promising practices in school districts. The ideas are in alignment with the EL Roadmap principles.
The EL Roadmap (Part 5) slides describe how to use the Roadmap to promote coherence in local planning. A crosswalk for the LCAP can be used to align the district's actions and services to the Roadmap's principles.
The EL Roadmap (Part 6) presentation slides can be used to facilitate the use of a self-reflection rubric by a team to evaluate how well local actions and services are aligned to the Roadmap …
The EL Roadmap (Part 7) presentation slides can be used to guide a district's EL policy review, revision, and development.
The EL Roadmap (Part 8) presentation slides explain the process for submitting local promising practices for inclusion on a list of vetted, web-based resources.
The EL Roadmap (Part 9) presentation slides facilitate the development of an "elevator speech" that can be used to share information about the EL Roadmap.
EL Roadmap Training (Session 10 of 10)
This video includes an introduction to Collaboration in Common, a platform that can be used to continue the collaborative work of implementing the EL …
CA EL Roadmap Training (Part 2 of 10) This video provides an overview of the EL Roadmap project, the EL Roadmap Policy's approval process, and the parts of the California EL Roadmap: Strengthening …
EL Roadmap Training (Part 3 of 10)
This video takes a deeper look into the CA EL Roadmap and focuses on its vision, mission, principles, and elements.
EL Roadmap Training (Part 4 of 10)
This video features the Anaheim Union High School District's approach to implementing the EL Roadmap Policy. Also, the Davis Unified School District shares a …
EL Roadmap Training (Part 5 of 10)
This video provides an overview of the connections between the CA EL Roadmap and the Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP). Participants in the session have the …
EL Roadmap Training (Part 6 of 10)
This video shows how to use a self-reflection rubric to reflect on strengths and areas for growth at a district or school This rubric includes each of the CA EL …
EL Roadmap Training (Part 7 of 10)
This video shows how a large district began the process of integrating the EL Roadmap into its local EL policy. Session participants discuss the extent the …
EL Roadmap Training (Part 8 of 10)
This video includes the California Department of Education's (CDE) EL Roadmap web-based resources and shows viewers how to us a vetting tool and …
EL Roadmap Training (Part 9 of 10)
This video focuses on messaging and taking action on the CA EL Roadmap. It features the California Association of Bilingual Education's call to action video …
EL Roadmap Training (Part 1 of 10) This video features an overview of the agend and intorductory comments from leaders of educational organizations. Part I includes comments from Dr. Tom Adams, Deputy Superintendent at the California …
Published on Nov 7, 2016
In this video, Alejandro Hernández from the California Department of Education provides an overview of an ELA/ELD Framework guide that supports educators in using resources from the …
In this video, Alejandro Hernández from the California Department of Education provides an overview of an ELA/ELD Framework guide that supports educators in using resources from the Framework that focus on meeting the needs of …
This video segment highlights the features of systematic reading instruction and emphasizes four explicit routines: modeling, guided practice, independent student practice and repeated review of skills and concepts. Connie Tate, RTAC …
The California Department of Education's DataQuest website provides "English Learner Progress and Proficiency Reports" showing the number and percent of English learners that have made annual ELD progress and have …
This tool assists local educational agencies (LEAs) to analyze outcomes and program services during preparation of LEA plans to meet requirements of Titles I and III of No Child Left Behind. This self-assessment helps LEAs focus on …
On December 10, 2015, the federal Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) was reauthorized as the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). The ESSA replaces its predecessor, the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB …
The US Department of Education published final regulations that include a timeline for when schools will be identified for support and improvement under the ESSA. The regulations indicate that "In order to provide ample …
In this video, Dave Chun from the Sacramento County Office of Education shares information from the Executive Summary of the California Mathematics Framework. Learn about essential information and ideas for teachers, administrators …
The History-Social Science Framework for California Public Schools, Kindergarten through Grade Twelve (HSS Framework) supports and guides the implementation of a standards-based history-social science curriculum …
A Collection of Resources for Educators Who Support English Learners
The Web page features a rigorously curated collection of resources with an …
This Web site of the Harvard Family Research Project provides access to a wide range of resources to support parent and community involvement. Resources include overviews of research and evaluations; data collection instruments and …
This report examines the findings from four longitudinal studies inclusive of arts-related variables to understand the relationship between arts engagement and positive academic and social outcomes in children and young adults of low …
This website provides access to a wide range of resources, workshops, software tools, and services related to fiscal, business and management services to help local educational agencies comply with fiscal accountability standards …
This video segment features Dr. Wendy Harris, Director, Region 3 Regional System of District and School Support, Sacramento County Office of Education, interviewing Dr. Ronda Adams, Associate Superintendent for Educational Services …
Using the English Learner Subgroup Self-Assessment (ELSSA): From Data Analysis to Improvement Efforts resource is organized into three parts. Each part is interconnected with the intent to support local education agencies to build a …
This study, conducted by the Education Trust, describes four high schools that made greater-than-expected academic gains with previously underperforming students. The findings are summarized in the following …
- Alternative program
- Annual measurable achievement objectives (AMAOs)
- Bilingual-crosscultural language and academic development credential (BCLAD)
- California English language development test …
American For the Arts has gathered information from a variety of sources supporting substantive research on the benefits of arts education for students. This site offers the highlights of research demonstrating the connection between …
This video segment provides a concise guide to hiring external consultants for provider services, including professional development activities. This segment includes nine practical tips for maximizing the efficacy of providers. This …
Connie Tate, Director of RTAC for San Joaquin County Office of Education, outlines the instructional design for ELA materials. She reviews four major components: scope and sequence, goals and objectives, lesson organization, and …
Formerly called the Least Restrictive Environment Survey, this self-assessment tool helps districts examine their policies, procedures, and practices in supporting educational options for students with disabilities. It supports …
The Placer County Office of Education created this living document that includes links to current information regarding the Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP) metrics and rubrics. As information becomes available, the links …
Search for LCFF funding information for California school districts and charter schools on this website. Colorful reports include fiscal information, unduplicated student count data, and tables and charts displaying LCFF related …
Wendy Harris, Director, Sacramento County Office of Education, provides the introduction for this video segment that features two retired North Sacramento School District administrators outlining essential factors for implementing a …
The District Self-Assessment Tool is designed for use with planning school turnaround efforts. Use of this assessment will support districts, unions and Lead Partners when analyzing their existing collective bargaining …
This website contains free downloadable PDFs on various topics pertaining to Changing Schools. These topics are social emotional learning, school improvement, technology, diverse learners, coaching, student engagement, early …
This website, funded by the U.S. Department of Education, provides information and access to a wide range of numerous resources to support response to intervention (RtI). The Center defines RtI as integrating assessment and …
This Web site of the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of English Language Acquisition provides access to a wide range of research and resources to support education of English Learners (EL). Resources are available in the …
This website of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) provides access to curriculum focal points for mathematics in prekindergarten through grade 8. The focal points serve as major instructional goals and desirable …
The National School Climate Standards present a vision and framework for a positive and sustainable school climate. They complement national standards for Content, Leadership, and Professional Development and the Parent Teacher …
This website provides a description of standards for professional development, with links that provide the rationale for the standards and relevant resources. As described in the website, staff development that improves the learning …
Preparing Students for the Next America is a short research bulletin outlining the research-based benefits of arts education on preparing students for success in school, work, and life. It includes research citations, resources, and …
Wendy Harris, Director, Sacramento County Office of Education, provides the introduction to this comprehensive presentation focused on the efficacy of a districtwide principal coaching model. John Brewer, a retired administrator from …
This recent document, authored by Linda Darling-Hammond et al, describes research on professional learning and describes the availability of such opportunities in the U.S. and other countries; it is based on a more detailed technical …
This Web page of the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights (OCR) provides answers to frequently asked questions regarding students who are English learners (EL). It addresses:
- What happens to …
This document describes fifteen recommendations in instruction and infrastructure to improve literacy for middle and high school students; the recommendations have a substantial base in research and/or professional opinion. The …
The Reading/Language Arts (RLA) Adoption Toolkit is intended to help districts use a data-driven process to facilitate the selection of State Board of Education-approved publisher programs for instruction in language arts and …
This document describes data and research findings from two districts in the Bay Area and San Diego City Schools. The author notes that: the central office plays a critical role in what goes on in schools and classrooms; effective …
Federal civil rights laws and Supreme Court precedent require States to provide equal access to public education to all children – including those who are undocumented. The US Department of Education's Resource …
This website of the California Department of Education provides access to numerous resources to support Response to Instruction and Intervention (RtI2) in general education settings. Links are provided to professional development …
This report provides descriptive, real-world vignettes that illustrate actions that successful school leaders have taken to turn around low-performing schools. It identifies and explains the leader actions associated with a …
This Web site provides access to numerous resources related to family and community involvement; many are research-based and focus on implementation of policies, strategies, and practices. Case studies and webinars describe …
The Science Framework for California Public Schools: Kindergarten Through Grade Twelve (framework) supports a three-dimensional vision of science education. In the California Next Generation Science Standards (CA NGSS …
This document describes promising practices from six school districts that are actively working to develop the critical components of systemic family engagement and examines the implications of their work for policy development. The …
Connie Tate, RTAC Director for San Joaquin County Office of Education, outlines seven key features of effective reading instruction. She provides examples for instruction that is: explicit, systematic, coordinated, scaffolded, and …
The template includes forms and charts for collection and analysis of student performance data, setting priorities for program improvements, rigorous use of effective solution strategies, and ongoing monitoring of results.
The Smarter Balanced Assessment System has three components: summative assessments, designed for accountability purposes; interim assessments, designed to support teaching and learning throughout the year; and formative assessment …
This video segment describes strategies for differentiation in reading instruction and outlines several variables to consider: size of group, number of days of instruction per week, number of minutes per class period, lesson …
This 2010 report tells the leadership story of how the new superintendent in Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools (CMS) in North Carolina embarked on a new effort, called Strategic Staffing, to implement a district-wide effort to turn …
This brief document provides a template for planning alternatives that sustain the functions of a coach if that position is eliminated. It can also be adapted or used to plan for sustainability of other important functions. The …
This website of the U.S. Department of Education provides access to documents related to sustaining evidence-based reading instruction. The resources provide a conceptual framework on sustainability, tools for assessing readiness to …
This document provides self-assessment tools and resources for designing, implementing, and evaluating effective professional development programs and practices. The document is intended for K-12 professionals as well as institutions …
The Active Implementation Hub website includes the Hexagon Tool which is designed to help states, districts, and schools appropriately select evidence-based instructional, behavioral, and social- emotional innovations and prevention …
This website of the U.S. Department of Education provides access to information and reports of the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) for Mathematics. Numerous detailed reports regarding the administration …
U.S. Department of Education's Newcomer Toolkit is designed to help elementary and secondary teachers, principals, and other school staff to work with immigrant students—including asylees and …
The Principal's Role in Successful Schools: Creating a Positive School Culture offers guidance for school leaders regarding the transformating of culture in their schools. This article is from Principal magazine …
This document describes, reviews and compares current research on school-family connections and provides information to increase meaningful family involvement and develop structures and strategies. Studies explore a wide range of …
The Southern Regional Education Board (SREB) conducted a study to determine resulting in a report regarding the three essentials of school improvement. This study examined the role of the district office in providing principals with …
This document includes a section on strategies implemented in schools successfully serving high poverty populations, and recommends that turnaround efforts include these strategies. They are described in the High-Performing …
The U.S. Department of Education sponsored a series of seven webinars focused on the educational and linguistic integration of immigrants and refugees. Topics include engaging with immigrant parents and families in a variety of ways …
This website provides access to the findings and analysis of the 2015 TIMMS.The 2015 report is the sixth such study since TIMSS was first conducted in 1995. TIMMS is administered internationally every four years to students in fourth …
This study specifies a set of criteria for identifying Ca. turnaround schools and summarizes strategies that a sample of principals from these schools reported as essential to improved outcomes at their schools. Student achievement …
This Web site provides self-guided tutorials for adult English language acquisition. Materials feature practical information focusing on life skills, and basic skills such as reading, writing, math, English language competency and …
The Understanding Language website aims to heighten educator awareness of the critical role that language plays in the Common Core State Standards and Next Generation Science Standards. The long-term goal of the initiative is to …
Based on in-depth site visits and featuring real world examples of high-performing …
The CSIS/FCMAT website hosts this Quick Link to the State's CALPADS Vendor and Product Capabilities Matrix. This document provides local education agencies and vendors with the current status of various student information system …
This SEDL website includes links to editions of Issues. . .about Change. This link to Volume 2, Number 3 address the topic Vision, Leadership, and Change …
The Visual and Performing Arts Framework is designed to help classroom teachers and other educators develop curriculum and instruction in the arts so that all students will meet or exceed the content standards in dance, music …
This video is an interview with Maureen Messier, Sheldon High School Theatre Director and VAPA Department Chair, Elk Grove Unified and Joe Demers, Choir Director. Maureen and Joe describe how the arts impact students and engage …
The What Works Clearinghouse (WWC) reviews the existing research on different programs, products, practices, and policies in education. Our goal is …
This document identifies 11 research-based, interrelated elements that help adolescents learn to write well and to use writing as a tool for learning. The document provides specific instructional practices that improve …
