R12CC works with the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) to support two projects—the Missouri Leadership Development System and the Missouri Common Formative Assessment.
The primary goal of the Missouri Leadership Development System (MLDS) is to develop and support effective school leaders across the state and throughout their careers from aspiring principals to transformational leaders. Recognizing the essential role effective leaders play in ensuring equitable access to excellent education for all students, DESE is implementing and scaling-up MLDS to support effective school leaders in every school in the state.
R12CC completed a formative review of MLDS and presented the report, including evidence-based recommendations and pathways, to the MLDS Commission. Additionally, R12CC conducted an evaluation of Missouri’s District Continuous Improvement (DCI) Framework to determine the differences in the processes and outcomes for Missouri school districts using the state’s DCI Framework and those using internally-developed approaches. To address needs identified in the reports, R12CC will assist DESE to convene a select group of superintendents regularly to assess needs and build principal leadership capacity through MLDS.
Ongoing capacity building services will center on refining and expanding MLDS, while also providing supports for two critical school improvement efforts: the principal-level support that school leaders in Comprehensive Support and Improvement schools receive and the supports districts receive through the District Continuous Improvement process.
The Missouri Common Formative Assessment (CFA) project builds the capacity of state leaders to develop a statewide system of formative assessment—both in practice and in policy. Using an approach that includes the selection and implementation of evidence-based practices, this project will allow Missouri to provide equitable access to common formative assessments for student learning in all content areas.
R12CC conducted a national scan of formative assessment supports provided by state education agencies. The report presents common themes in formative assessment support, a series of supports by content and grade area as well as by modality of professional learning, and illustrative examples. The approaches, tools, and resources identified serves as a guide for DESE and other states focused on enhancing formative assessment supports to measure and improve student learning.
R12CC continues to collaborate with DESE to plan a framework and system map of formative assessment in Missouri. To support implementation, the project team will assist DESE to develop a vetting process for assessment items, a rigor rating process, and a communications plan.
Through intensive support, R12CC will help DESE improve instructional leadership and realize the outcomes of improved student performance.