OUR STATES
POLICY
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STRATEGIC GOAL I: To develop a cross-state policy environment that supports and leverages the development of student-centered learning opportunities and supports necessary to prepare all students for success in the colleges, careers, and communities of our interconnected global society. |
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| IMPLEMENTATION GOAL #1: The leadership of each state’s appropriate governing body (legislature and/or state board of education) will be familiar with and supportive of the NESSC regional policy agenda and state-specific implementation plans related to these policies | |
| MILESTONES | STATUS |
| The Policy Strategic Action Team will convene in August 2011 to review the NESSC regional policy agenda, assess progress to date, and reaffirm each state's commitment to the common agenda. Reaffirmation will likely entail modifications in policy specificity or strategies based on progress to date, shifting political factors, and/or SEA priorities and plans. This process will review the current regional policy agenda including the three main policy areas and the five supporting areas, in addition to new ideas proposed by the strategic action team. Indicator of Completion: revised NESSC regional policy agenda drafted, distributed to all partners (such as Council members, SEA leadership, Strategic Action Team members, and others), and posted on the internal NESSC website. (GSP) |
UNDERWAY + ON SCHEDULE |
| The NESSC regional policy agenda will be confirmed and endorsed by the five commissioners of education and Council teams by September 2011. Indicator of Completion: NESSC regional policy agenda finalized and posted on public NESSC website, joint document signed by the five commissioners and chairs of the state board of education on behalf of their state and NESSC Council members. (Leads, GSP) |
UNDERWAY + ON SCHEDULE |
| Each state will create a policy implementation plan focused on supporting the NESSC regional policy agenda, based on the HLP Framework, for the upcoming legislative session by early January 2012. Indicator of Completion: written copies of state policy implementation plans; SEA commitments to execute the plans; and NESSC Liaison action plans for each state that identify strategic actions, including stakeholder engagement, that will be undertaken to support policy implementation. (Leads, Liaisons) |
UNDERWAY + ON SCHEDULE |
| By November 2011, the Policy Strategic Action Team will identify key higher education partners in each state and host a regional meeting with SEA staff and selected practitioners from the field to explore the idea of a "New England secondary learning credential." This group will initially be tasked with determining the feasibility of such a credential and whether and how the implementation of this concept would impact the NESSC goals for graduation, college-readiness, college-enrollment, and drop-out rates. (Note: the New England secondary learning credential may become part of the NESSC's regional policy agenda in August and September; if so, this meeting will focus more on how to move this forward.) Indicator of Completion: meeting summaries will be posted on the internal NESSC website; next steps will be determined and distributed to relevant NESSC partners. (GSP) |
UNDERWAY + ON SCHEDULE |
| The NESSC will host a cross-state meeting of the chairs from each state legislative education committee and state board of education to educate participants on the NESSC regional policy agenda, and discuss avenues for joint legislative activities concerning secondary-improvement work within and across states by early January 2012. Indicator of Completion: agenda, participation list, and any commitments made in the meeting. (GSP) |
UNDERWAY + ON SCHEDULE |
| The NESSC will host a cross-state meeting of the leads and SEA accountability staff to 1) review national accountability efforts underway with CCSSO; 2) share state accountability strategies; and 3) explore application for joint federal waivers concerning state accountability structures. Depending upon the decision regarding federal waivers, the group will create a plan to move forward. Indicator of Completion: agenda, participation list, and commitments made regarding federal waiver applications. (GSP) |
UNDERWAY + ON SCHEDULE |
| IMPLEMENTATION GOAL #2: Develop a companion tool to support implementation of the NESSC’s High Leverage Policy Framework, and continue to present the High Leverage Policy Framework to education leaders across the five states. | |
| MILESTONES | STATUS |
| Create second draft of an HLP Framework companion tool by September 2011. Indicator of Completion: Draft HLP tool posted on internal NESSC website. (GSP) |
UNDERWAY + |
| Vet HLP tool through state implementation teams and schools involved with the League of Innovative Schools by December 2011. Indicator of Completion: Written feedback from various sessions or surveys. (leads, liaisons) |
UNDERWAY + ON SCHEDULE |
| Finalize, publish, and distribute HLP tool by February 2012. Indicator of Completion: HLP tool posted on public NESSC website. (GSP) |
UNDERWAY + ON SCHEDULE |
| Present HLP Framework and state-specific policy implementation plans at superintendent, school board, and principal conferences in each state. Indicator of Completion: Final presentation and conference programs; participant feedback (if available). (leads, liaisons) | UNDERWAY + ON SCHEDULE |
| At least five superintendent/principal/school board teams from each state will participate in a one-day, cross-state retreat by April 2012 to review the NESSC regional policy agenda, discuss appropriate local policy responses, and create plans for local policy revision or implementation. Indicator of Completion: Written copies of district plans. (GSP) |
UNDERWAY + ON SCHEDULE |
| Through the League of Innovative Schools network, identify effective local policies that align with and support the NESSC regional policy agenda. Indicator of Completion: Archive of written copies of local policies and permission to use and distribute them. (liaisons) | UNDERWAY + ON SCHEDULE |
| Through the League of Innovative Schools network, identify effective local policies that align with and support the NESSC regional policy agenda. Indicator of Completion: Archive of written copies of local policies and permission to use and distribute them. (liaisons) | UNDERWAY + ON SCHEDULE |
| Utilize the NESSC website, online applications, webinars, or other technologies to collect and share feedback on state and local policy with the goal of encouraging best-practice exchange and adoption of HLPs at the state, district, and school levels. Indicator of Completion: Online resources and evidence of effective policy exchange and enhancement. (GSP) |
UNDERWAY + ON SCHEDULE |
| Present NESSC regional policy agenda, the HLP Framework, and other NESSC tools and processes at national conferences. Indicator of Completion: Presentation agendas. (GSP to coordinate, assorted presenters) |
UNDERWAY + ON SCHEDULE |