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The Washington School Improvement Framework (WSIF) is how the state identifies schools and school districts for support to improve student performance, student growth, and other aspects of student success.
Following the passage of the federal Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) law in 2015, the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) and the State Board of Education (SBE) redesigned our state’s accountability system in 2018 with broad stakeholder input.
Last year, schools across the state were selected to receive support based on various measures of student performance and school quality from the previous three school years. When schools are identified for support, they work with OSPI for a three-year cycle to make improvements. The first year of the cycle is ending, so no additional schools are being identified at this time.
Although the framework was just implemented last year, schools have been focusing on continuous improvement and using data to guide decision-making for years. Much of this focus has been on the school quality and student success (SQSS) measures in the framework, including attendance, advanced course-taking, and ninth graders being on track to graduate.
While the data show an average increase in school scores statewide, the greatest gains in the past year were made by students experiencing poverty, as well as students who identify as Pacific Islander, Black, and Latino.
“We know systemic change takes time, a focus on data, and a commitment to continuous learning,” said Chris Reykdal, Superintendent of Public Instruction. “With sustained, intentional action at the school and district levels, our students are better served. The goal of the framework is for us to connect programs and resources to schools that need them the most.”
“The Board believes the school quality and student success measures included in the WSIF are important, because the measures demonstrate how schools are educating the whole child,” said SBE Chair Kevin Laverty. “SBE and OSPI are jointly exploring additional WSIF measures to include in the future to better ensure all students are engaged in high-quality learning environments that prepare them for lifelong learning.”
The Framework utilizes several measures of student growth and proficiency, as well as measures of school quality including regular attendance, ninth graders on track to graduation, and dual credit. Schools are provided supports based on these measures across three tiers:
- Comprehensive: Schools at this level receive the most intensive supports, including coaching, priority access to professional development opportunities, and additional funding, among others.
- Targeted: Schools at this level receive less intensive supports that are targeted toward specific areas. For example, increased access to content specialists and learning communities.
- Foundational: Schools at this level receive focused, collaborative, self-directed support in just one or two areas.
In addition to helping state officials identify schools in need of support, the WSIF also provides an opportunity to recognize strengths and highlight successful strategies occurring in schools across the state. In the coming months, OSPI and SBE will work with the Educational Opportunity Gap Oversight and Accountability Committee to recognize schools who have demonstrated high performance or who have made significant progress closing achievement gaps on the measures.
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