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- Site Visits (Public & Non-Public)
- 2012-2013 Public School District Site Visit Documents
- 2012-2013 Accredited Non-Public School Site Visit Documents
Cycle of Continuous Improvement
The Iowa Department of Education's (DE) School Improvement Team, with input and feedback from Iowa's Area Education Agencies (AEAs), provides the following technical assistance documents regarding a suggested cycle of continuous improvement. The resources should be helpful to new administrators, administrators new to Iowa, to AEAs, and to Local Education Agencies (LEAs) (local public school districts and accredited non-public schools).
The documents describe a suggested process in which continuous improvement is the primary organizer for school improvement. Though accreditation related to Chapter 12 occurs within a five-year period with a comprehensive site visit and report in Year 3, elements of continuous improvement (i.e., needs assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation) occur each year. The primary focus is on a plan for cyclical implementation and evaluation of programs and services. The processes and products of the comprehensive site visit review for accreditation are most evident in Year 2: Initial Preparation For Comprehensive Review; Year 3: Comprehensive Review; and Year 4: Transition To CSIP Revision. Throughout the Cycle Of Continuous Improvement, the themes of improved schools are addressed: vision, mission, and goals; leadership; collaboration; learning environment; curriculum and instruction; professional development; and monitoring and accountability. LEA, AEA, and DE roles and responsibilities are suggested in the document. Another way to view and understand the suggested process of continuous improvement is through a graphic representation of the cycle that accompanies the technical assistance document.
School Improvement Cycle of Continuous Improvement
Cycle of Continuous Improvement Graphic
Consultant Assignments 2012-2013
Site Visits
Purpose of the School Improvement Site Visit 281--Iowa Administrative Code 12.8(4)(a)(2)
- To assess progress with the Comprehensive School Improvement Plan (CSIP)
- To make recommendations with regard to the visit findings for the purposes of improving educational practices above minimal compliance
- To determine that a school or school district is in compliance with the accreditation standards
- To provide a general assessment of educational practices
Site Visit Team Member Invitation and Sign Up
Site Visit Team Member Invitation - This document contains an invitation, expectations and sign up information for site visit volunteer-team members.
2013-2014 School Year
State Accreditation Site Visits 2013-2014
Future Site Visits for Public Schools as of February 2013
Future Site Visits for Non-Public Schools as of January 2013
Public School District Site Visit Documents (2012-2013)
Site Visit Process and History
Comprehensive Site Visits Power Point 2012-2013
Overview Presentation Guidelines for Site Visits 2012-2013
Public Document Review Checklist 2012-2013
Future Public School Site Visit as of April 2012
List of Required On-Site Interview Groups
Conversation Starters for Public Districts 2012-2013 Chapter 12 Matrix - August 2012 - includes academic requirements and graduation requirements
Annual Notices 2012-2013
Sample School Improvement Visit Schedules 2012-2013
Protected Classes Chart 2012-2013
Link to Education Equity Documents
Accredited Non-Public School Site Visit Documents (2012-2013)
Site Visit Process and History
Document Review Checklist for Non-Public Schools 2012-2013
Chapter 12 Matrix - August 2012
Comprehensive Site Visits Power Point 2012-2013
Overview Presentation Guidelines for Site Visits 2012-2013
List of Required On-Site Interview Groups
Conversation Starters for Non-Public Schools 2012-2013
Sample School Improvement Visit Schedules 2012-2013
Protected Classes Chart 2012-2013
School Improvement Team
The School Improvement Team at the DE conducts site visits to accredited nonpublic schools and school districts, reviews Annual Progress Reports (APRs), and assists Schools and School Districts in continuous school improvement efforts such as the Comprehensive School Improvement Plan (CSIP). The Team conducts feasibility studies with accredited public school districts seeking options such as Whole Grade Sharing and School District Reorganization. The Team monitors Competent Private Instruction (CPI), Specially Accredited Schools, Open Enrollment, School District Waivers and Exemptions, Nonpublic School Accreditation, and Postsecondary Enrollment Options. The Team also helps coordinate the annual Winter Institute.
The following contact information includes the monitoring assignments of each School Improvement Consultant. Schools, School Districts, AEAs, and members of the public should contact the Consultant assigned to their AEA for any school improvement related questions.
Contact Information
Address:
Grimes State Office Building
400 E. 14th St
Des Moines, IA 50319-0146
General Number: 515-281-8402
Fax Number: 515-242-5988
Hours: 8:00am-4:30pm, Monday-Friday (Except State Holidays)
Dave Tilly
Deputy Director and Division Administrator
Division of Learning and Results
Amy Williamson
515-339-4122
Oversees the School Improvement Team, approves Waivers and Exemptions, Charter School Director
Consultants
Eric Heitz
515/281-4726
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Monitors and provides technical assistance for AEA 267 and Open Enrollment Consultant.
Barbara Byrd
515/281-8582
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Monitors and provides technical assistance for Great Prairie AEA and Mississippi Bend AEA 9. Feasibility Studies Consultant, District Restructuring.
Janet Boyd
515/281-3198
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Monitors and provides technical assistance for Green Hills AEA. Charter School Consultant.
Beth Happe
515/281-3427
Monitors and provides technical assistance for Heartland AEA 11. Nonpublic School Accreditation, Specially Accredited Schools and Exempt Schools Consultant.
Elizabeth Calhoun
515/281-8170
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Monitors and provides technical assistance for Northwest AEA and Competent Private Instruction (CPI) (i.e. Homeschooling) Consultant.
Fred Kinne
515/281-6293
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Monitors and provides technical assistance for AEA 10. Comprehensive School Improvement Plan (CSIP) / Annual Progress Report (APR) Assistance, Senior Year Plus (SYP) Consultant; AEA Accreditation Co-Leader.
Holly Barnes
515/242-6173
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Monitors and provides technical assistance for Keystone AEA 1. Annual Progress Report (APR) / Comprehensive School Improvement Plan (CSIP) Assistance.
Cynthia Butler
515/281-5332
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Monitors and provides technical assistance for Prairie Lakes AEA 8.
Beth Happe
515/281-3427
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Monitors and provides technical assistance for Heartland AEA 11. Non-Public School Acreditation, Specially Accredited Schools, and Exempt Schools Consultant.
Margaret Jensen Connet
515/281-3769
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Monitors and provides Equity/Multi-Cultural/Gender Fair Technical Assistance for all Area Education Agencies. Coordinates LEA focused equity site visits. Coordinates AEA focused equity site visits. Coordinates Community Colleges equity site visits.
Isaiah McGee
515/725-2866
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Provides assistance regarding Comprehensive School Improvement Plan (CSIP) and Achievement Gap.