ESE STATEWIDE SYSTEM OF SUPPORT

2017-2018
DESE is committed to providing targetedTURNAROUND ASSISTANCE
assistance to its lowest performingOPTIONS
schools and districts through the
Statewide System of Support (SSoS), which is comprised of liaisons to Commissioners Districts, District and School
Assistance Center staff, specialists from the Office of Effective Practices in Turnaround and the Systems for Student
Success Office. This team collaborates with school and district leaders and faculty to strengthen implementation of
the Turnaround Practices in the states lowest performing schools. The supports are designed to be complementary to
school and district systems and, as well, to integrate and build various aspects of systemic reforms needed to
implement the Turnaround Practices.

In 2017-18 the SSoS targeted assistance will focus primarily on the schools in the lowest 1oth percentile of performance
in each grade span. At the same time SSoS is entering the first year of a two year Strategic Restructuring to upgrade
support opportunities to provide more targeted options for high need schools across the state.

What will be familiar? What will be new?

Core Turnaround Supports defined by statute,
regulation. and research to support district
systems and intervene in Level 4 and Level 3
schools (particularly those in the 10th percentile
and below)
Liaisons and DSAC Teams will continue to
serve as the Assistance Leads and primary
contact for each eligible district and will
coordinate Targeted Assistance for districts
and schools, including activities such as:
o Turnaround Plan development
support
o Data collection and use to identify
challenges and monitor progress
o Observations and school site visits
o Promoting self-assessment of
Turnaround Practices
o Delivering, linking and/or
coordinating resources to support
Turnaround
Networks focused on key Turnaround
Practices, Curriculum Frameworks and other
Related Topics will be facilitated to share new
learning and build supportive connections
among schools and districts.
A set of new Assistance Focus Areas that increase our capacity
to address new and/or more specific needs within the Turnaround
Practices. While ESE has previously offered targeted supports on
a range of topics, in 2017-18 we are striving to go deeper in a few
particular areas. Working with the Assistance Leads, school and
district leaders may select 1-2 of these Assistance Focus Areas
based on need, interest, and capacity. Whereas Core Turnaround
Supports are most often facilitated by the Assistance Leads, work
related to these Assistance Focus Areas may be facilitated by
other members of the Statewide System of Support and/or ESE
colleagues from other offices with expertise in this area. With
ongoing input from districts, ESE will continue to refine and
augment these Assistance Focus Areas to address district needs.
Assistance Focus Areas for 2017-18 include two groups:
READY NOW:
1. Instructional Leadership Teams (TP 1)
2. Inclusive Schools (TP 2&3)
3. Whole Child Support (TP 4)
4. Early Grades Literacy (TP 2&3)
UNDER DEVELOPMENT:
5. Middle Grades Mathematics (TP 2&3)
6. Targeted Assistance to Support Curriculum and
Instruction Implementation (TP 2&3)
7. Turnaround Principal Development (TP 1)
8. Secondary Turnaround & Redesign (all TP)
See attached Assistance Focus Area Fact Sheets to learn more
about these supports. Districts have an opportunity to help
prioritize, inform initial design and pilot draft resources in these
areas.