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Continuous Improvement Process and Planning

School & District. Continuous Improvement Cycle. Set the direction/vision. Assess needs. Create strategic plan. Implement strategic plan. Monitor work, adjust, and feedback loops.

What is the Continuous Improvement Process?

Schools and districts in Oregon are called upon to engage in continuous improvement work to improve outcomes for students. A continuous improvement process is the process by which districts and schools:

  • Determine what is working and what needs to change;
  • Establish a process to engage stakeholders to effect change;
  • Leverage effective practices to implement a plan;
  • Use data to monitor and make timely adjustments to improve outcomes.

The continuous improvement process results in the development of an ambitious, priority-driven action plan where routine collaboration and decision-making among district leaders is reflected throughout implementation.

Stay Connected

Student Investment Account/Student Success Act
The Student Investment Account is a non-competitive grant program which, when fully implemented, represents an investment of close to $500 million going directly to Oregon school districts and eligible charter schools.

School and District Improvement
Continuous improvement whether at the school or district level, is an ongoing, systemic, cyclical process. In this cycle, the results of previous efforts are examined in order to determine where to focus new efforts.

The Every Student Succeeds Act requires states to develop accountability models that meaningfully differentiate schools for supports. As part of Oregon’s commitment to strengthening school district systems, ODE will partner with school districts to better support schools in need of targeted or comprehensive supports.

Initial Guidance and Toolkit on Community Engagement Released
Designed with district leaders across Oregon’s 197 school districts in mind, ODE is providing this initial guidance and a toolkit to support the process by which students, staff, and families of particularly underserved or marginalized groups should be meaningfully and authentically engaged by districts to inform their needs assessment processes and their strategic planning efforts as required by the Student Success Act (House Bill 3427).

Continuous Improvement ListServ!
The continuous improvement process provides a powerful mechanism for promoting shifts in educator behaviors that will lead to improved learning for students. Sign up to receive updates on resources, promising practices, workshops and requirements.

Tools for Schools and Districts


Needs Assessment Resources and Tools

Partnerships for Continuous Improvement

  • This PowerPoint was part of a series of ESD presentations in which Oregon’s renewed Support Model for Accountability was shared and the supports and funding details for districts with schools eligible for support under the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) were described.
  • Roadmap for Engagement - Use these ten strategies as a starting point for approaching stakeholder engagement in a way that seeks out a broad range of perspectives.

Fall 2019 CIP Workshop PPT and Hand-Outs

The District and School Effectiveness team at the Oregon Department of Education, in partnership with multiple ESDs, provided regional workshops throughout the state focused on The District Continuous Improvement Process. The purpose of these workshops was to support districts in the development and submission of their required district continuous improvement plan.

Please contact the Office of EII with questions or for more information.