With an eye on continuous improvement, schools are well-served by tying the change process and the school’s various efforts to measures that include, but are not limited to, student performance outcomes.  Student achievement is undeniably critical; it is the ultimate indicator by which schools are held accountable.  Yet student outcomes are affected by key elements and processes within the school, such as:

Each of the above tenets of high performing schools and organizations is aligned with the Baldrige Education Criteria for Performance Excellence[1].  If a school is performing well on each in each of these areas, then positive student achievement results should follow.

InformEd works with schools to establish a School Profile that will summarize the school’s environment, key working relationships, and strategic challenges, thus providing a guide to the school’s performance management system. 

The School Profile is compiled with a variety of information sources, each aligned to the seven tenets outlined above and key outcomes to the school.  These include:

• Student Performance Data:  InformEd works with schools to compile student achievement data that reflect historical trends within the school and trends between the school’s performance and relevant comparison data.

• Survey results: Surveys are administered to key stakeholders, including staff, students, and parents / community members.

• Interview results:  Interviews and/or Focus Groups are conducted with teachers, parents, and students.

• Classroom Observation results: Classrooms and the general school environment are observed.

• Document Review: Key documents, such as the school’s School Improvement Plan; current curriculum; school policies and procedures and/or the school handbook; lesson plans, student portfolios or other student assessment tools are collected and analyzed to provide supplemental or supporting information to the School Profile.

InformEd Consulting triangulates the data and compile a School Profile report that identifies trends and makes recommendations for the school’s strategic plans and overall management system.  This report, and the data within it, serve as a baseline from which future progress can be compared and the school can self-evaluate for continuous, informed decision-making and improvement.