Using Monitoring of Lowest Performing Schools Data to Build Evidence for Systemic Improvement Strategies: Results from a Researcher-Practitioner Partnership

The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) with its research partner have developed a system that changes the equation on monitoring. The research-driven approach to monitoring allows DESE, within its existing activities and resources, to use monitoring to improve the state system of support as well as direct assistance for districts and their lowest performing schools. Findings from studies and how these have changed the state's system for supporting low-performing schools are described.