Iowa Support System for Schools and
Districts in Need of Assistance
Phase II: Diagnosis
AEA 267
September 2011

Today, you will . . .
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Increase your understanding of the Diagnosis Phase.
Access several tools for diagnosis.
Experience working with a gap analysis.
Work through the six steps that set the stage for action plan goals.
Iowa Support System for Schools and Districts in Need of
Assistance ©2011

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Iowa Support System for Schools and Districts in Need of
Assistance ©2011

The Phases of the Support for Schools and Districts
Identified in Need of Assistance (SINA & DINA)
 Phase I – The Audit
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Phase III – The Design
Phase IV – The Implementation (and
Monitoring)
Phase V – Monitoring and Assessment
Iowa Support System for Schools and Districts in Need of
Assistance ©2011

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Data can uncover problems that might otherwise remain invisible.
Data can convince people of the need for change
Data can confirm or discredit assumptions about students and school practices
Data can get to the root cause of problems, pinpoint areas where change is most needed, and guide resource allocations.
Data can help schools evaluate program effectiveness and keep the focus on student learning results.
Iowa Support System for Schools and Districts in Need of
Assistance ©2011

Six Steps of Diagnosis
1. Review and refine current reality
2. Determine the desired state
3. Complete a gap analysis
4. Determine the root cause(s)
5. Identify and prioritize solutions
(Instructional/Professional Development solutions must be research-based.)
6. Determine KASAB for each stakeholder group…
*Some districts/schools call this “determining opportunities for improvement” or
“hypothesis/prediction statements.”
Iowa Support System for Schools and Districts in Need of
Assistance ©2011

Step 1:
Review and Refine Current Reality
 Review the audit.
 Priority Grid Tool
 Review student achievement data.
 Request additional data as needed.
 Organize and analyze multiple sources/points of data for deeper understanding..
 Document prioritized areas from the audit and the refined current reality on the Diagnosis Worksheet.
Iowa Support System for Schools and Districts in Need of
Assistance ©2011

Activity for Step 1:
Review and Refine Current Reality
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– Use the building audit profile to determine strengths and challenges revealed
– Focus your discussion on those areas identified as areas for further study.
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Create/Revise “the current reality” on the
Diagnosis Worksheet based on information provided.
Iowa Support System for Schools and Districts in Need of
Assistance ©2011

Questions about Step 1 of the Diagnosis
Phase…
Iowa Support System for Schools and Districts in Need of
Assistance ©2011

Six Steps of Diagnosis
1. Review and refine current reality
2.
Determine the desired state
3. Complete a gap analysis
4. Determine the root cause(s)
5. Identify and prioritize solutions
(Instructional/Professional Development solutions must be research-based.)
6.
Determine KASAB for each stakeholder group…
*Some districts call this “determining opportunities for improvement” or “hypothesis/prediction statements”
Iowa Support System for Schools and Districts in Need of
Assistance ©2011

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Desired state is the picture of your school that you wish to reach after the completion of your school improvement process (your action plan).
The desired state we have all agreed to reach and be held accountable to is . . .
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Determined collaboratively
Based on research, best practices, and promising practices
“Doable” in the near future
Iowa Support System for Schools and Districts in Need of
Assistance ©2011

Step 2:
Determine the Desired State
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Consult expert content specialist(s)
Review research
Develop the picture of your desired state
Document the desired state on the
Diagnosis Worksheet
Iowa Support System for Schools and Districts in Need of
Assistance ©2011

Step 2:
Determine the Desired State
Examples of Research to Review
 Iowa Content Networks
 Expert Content Specialists
 United States Department of
Education Clearing House http://www.whatworks.ed.gov/
Iowa Support System for Schools and Districts in Need of
Assistance ©2011

Activity for Step 2:
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Iowa Support System for Schools and Districts in Need of
Assistance ©2011

Questions about Step 2 of the Diagnosis
Phase…
Iowa Support System for Schools and Districts in Need of
Assistance ©2011

Six Steps of Diagnosis
1. Review and refine current reality
2. Determine the desired state
3. Complete a gap analysis
4. Determine the root cause(s)
5. Identify and prioritize solutions
(Instructional/Professional Development solutions must be research-based.)
6. Determine KASAB for each stakeholder group…
*Some districts call this “determining opportunities for improvement” or “hypothesis/prediction statements”
Iowa Support System for Schools and Districts in Need of
Assistance ©2011

Step 3:
Complete a Gap Analysis
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Summarize Current Reality
Summarize Desired State
Identify deficits or the gap between desired state and current reality
Identify themes and patterns across deficit areas/gaps, using “Questions for Areas of
Concern” document
Document the gap analysis on the Diagnosis
Worksheet
Iowa Support System for Schools and Districts in Need of
Assistance ©2011

Questions about Step 3 of the Diagnosis
Phase…
Iowa Support System for Schools and Districts in Need of
Assistance ©2011

1. Review and refine current reality
2. Determine the desired state
3. Complete a gap analysis
4.
Determine the root cause(s)
5. Identify and prioritize solutions
(Instructional/Professional Development solutions must be research-based.)
6. Determine KASAB for each stakeholder group…
*Some districts call this “determining opportunities for improvement” or “hypothesis/prediction statements”
Iowa Support System for Schools and Districts in Need of
Assistance ©2011

Definition of
 The deepest underlying cause, or causes, of positive or negative symptoms within the area of concern that, if dissolved, would result in elimination, or substantial reduction, of the symptom.
Source: Root Cause Analysis – School Leader’s Guide to Using Data to
Dissolve Problems
– Paul G. Preuss
Iowa Support System for Schools and Districts in Need of
Assistance ©2011

Step 4:
Determine the Root Cause(s)
 Given what you identified in your gap analysis, determine the critical cause/effect relationships from your prioritized areas
 Document the root cause(s) on the
Diagnosis Worksheet
Iowa Support System for Schools and Districts in Need of
Assistance ©2011

Questions about Step 4 of the Diagnosis
Phase…
Iowa Support System for Schools and Districts in Need of
Assistance ©2011

1. Review and refine current reality
2. Determine the desired state
3. Complete a gap analysis
4. Determine the root cause(s)
5. Identify and prioritize solutions
(Instructional/Professional Development solutions must be research-based.)
6. Determine KASAB for each stakeholder group…
*Some districts call this “determining opportunities for improvement” or “hypothesis/prediction statements”
Iowa Support System for Schools and Districts in Need of
Assistance ©2011

Step 5:
Identify and Prioritize Solutions
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Identify possible solutions related to root causes - if the solution is related to instruction or professional development, it should be research based
Prioritize based on research (e.g., greatest impact on student achievement, response to intervention)
Document the solution(s) on the Diagnosis
Worksheet
Iowa Support System for Schools and Districts in Need of
Assistance ©2011

Step 5:
Identify and Prioritize Solutions
Guidelines for Prioritizing Solutions:
 Will the implementation of this solution address our school’s/district’s area(s) of concern and underlying reasons for them?
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Will the proposed solution have a great impact on students’ learning?
Are resources (i.e., people, time, money) available to implement this solution?
Iowa Support System for Schools and Districts in Need of
Assistance ©2011

Step 5:
Identify and Prioritize Solutions
Guidelines for Prioritizing Solutions:
 Do the advantages outweigh the disadvantages if we implement this solution?
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Could this solution be modified without impacting the effectiveness to best meet the needs/interests of our students, their families, our teachers, our classrooms, our school, and our district?
Is everyone who is part of the challenge also a part of the solution?
Iowa Support System for Schools and Districts in Need of
Assistance ©2011

Activity for Step 5:
Identify and Prioritize Solutions
Other questions you might consider for each solution:
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Will the implementation of this solution address our school’s/district’s areas of concern and underlying reasons for them?
Will the proposed solution have a great impact on students’ learning?
Are resources (i.e., people, time, money) available to implement this solution?
Do the advantages outweigh the disadvantages if we implement this solution?
Could this solution be modified without impacting the effectiveness to best meet the needs/interests of our students, their families, our teachers, our classrooms, our school, and our district?
Is everyone who is part of the challenge also a part of the solution?
Iowa Support System for Schools and Districts in Need of
Assistance ©2011

Questions about Step 5 of the Diagnosis
Phase…
Iowa Support System for Schools and Districts in Need of
Assistance ©2011

1. Review and refine current reality
2. Determine the desired state
3. Complete a gap analysis
4. Determine the root cause(s)
5. Identify and prioritize solutions
(Instructional/Professional Development solutions must be research-based.)
6.
Iowa Support System for Schools
and Districts in Need of
Assistance ©2011

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AEA 267 Support System for
Schools and Districts in Need of
Assistance ©2011

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K nowledge
A ttitude
S kill
A spiration
B ehavior
Conceptual understanding of information, theories, principles, and research
Beliefs about the value of particular information or strategies. I believe …(what is in your head).
Strategies and processes to apply knowledge
Desires, or internal motivation, to engage in a particular practice. I desire… (what is in your heart).
Consistent application of knowledge and skills. (you will use these behaviors in writing formative and summative evaluation questions).

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An Example for Your Review
Type of Change for Teachers
Example
I understand problem-solving strategies
I believe all students can learn to problem solve
K nowledge
A ttitude
S kill
A spiration
B ehavior
I can apply the steps for math problem solving
I desire to teach all students to problem solve
I apply daily research-based strategies to solve problems
AEA 267 Support System for
Schools and Districts in Need of
Assistance ©2011

The Action Plan – Key Components of Implementation
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 Changes or Impact on
Stakeholders and the Data to Inform Those Changes
 Students
 Teachers
 Administrators
 Parents
 Others
AEA 267 Support System for
Schools and Districts in Need of
Assistance ©2011

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 Take a look at your solutions; select one
 Select at least two audiences influenced by that solution
 e.g., students, teachers, principals, central office, parents
 Now complete a KASAB for each of the audiences of solution
AEA 267 Support System for
Schools and Districts in Need of
Assistance ©2011

35
Questions about the KASAB
AEA 267 Support System for
Schools and Districts in Need of
Assistance ©2011

Six Steps of Diagnosis
1. Review and refine current reality
2. Determine the desired state
3. Complete a gap analysis
4. Determine the root cause(s)
5. Identify and prioritize solutions
(Instructional/Professional Development solutions must be research-based.)
6. Create KASABs for each of the stakeholders . . .
*Some districts call this “determining opportunities for improvement” or “hypothesis/prediction statements”
Iowa Support System for Schools and Districts in Need of
Assistance ©2011

Questions about the Diagnosis Phase…
Iowa Support System for Schools and Districts in Need of
Assistance ©2011

 Fine tune what you have started today
 Complete the diagnosis of other areas of concern that were not addressed today
 Send completed diagnosis worksheet to
Stacie sstokes@aea267.k12.ia.us
so this document can be shared with content specialists in preparation for design work
Iowa Support System for Schools and Districts in Need of
Assistance ©2011