Seven Integrated Strategies for School System Design
School systems are navigating a moment of unprecedented challenge: increased student need, declining enrollment, rising costs, and a fraught funding landscape.
And yet, this moment also offers an opportunity for bold leadership to disrupt the status quo and build a better future and meet new goals for student learning.
We’ve seen shining examples of districts across the country that have reimagined and modernized how they organize people, time, and money to ensure excellence, equity, and long-term sustainability.
What does this look like in practice? It looks like a coherent instructional strategy, aligned budgeting and scheduling processes, a strong talent pipeline, and cross-functional support structures for schools.
Our latest paper, One Vision, Seven Strategies, highlights why system-level action is more critical than ever and offers concrete strategies for organizing resources.
The Strategic System for Strong Schools Framework
Based on our work with district and state partners, we’ve developed a multi-dimensional vision built around seven integrated strategies that districts can emulate to create high-performing schools at scale:
- Learning Standards & Instructional Materials
- Teaching and Leadership
- Student-Centered School Designs
- Partnerships and Technology
- Funding & School Portfolio
- School Support and Accountability
- Operations
These strategies should not be viewed as “best practices” that can be implemented independently, but rather as a set to be tackled together for school system transformation.
More Resources on School System Redesign
The Strategic System Snapshot
This interactive tool helps school system leaders identify and reflect on how their district performs in the seven integrated strategies for school system design. Upon completion, users will see their results and how their district compares to “best practice.” How well does your district leverage people, time, and money for student success? Take the Snapshot.
Budget Hold’em for Districts
This card game developed by ERS provides an opportunity for players to step inside the shoes of a strategic budget leader and play cards that fit priorities, increase student achievement, and help meet a budgeting target. The experience is meant to spark lively conversation about budget tradeoffs, transformational instruction, and student impact. Play the game.
How-to Guides for Strategic School Redesign
These scheduling and staffing guides provide research, guidance, and concrete examples for district leaders looking to invest in and implement high-impact priority areas like high-dosage tutoring, early postsecondary opportunities, professional learning and collaboration for teachers, and more. Read more.
Central Office Support Case Studies
Our Districts at Work resource profiles eight school systems that transformed how their central offices supported schools to improve student outcomes and experiences. Each profile highlights the challenge the district was facing, their transformation approach, what set their approach apart, and the results of their efforts. Read more.
Partner With ERS On Strategic System Redesign
Want to learn more about how ERS partners with school districts to implement these integrated strategies to create better systems for students and educators? Fill out the form below.