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History The State Role and Funding Structuring a CSR program
The Eleven Components Other organizations that provide information on CSR



The Comprehensive School Reform Program (formerly the Comprehensive School Reform Demonstration, or, CSRD) requires schools to take a “big picture” approach to improving student achievement. Rather than relying on piecemeal, fragmented programs that may or may not be aligned with other important school programs and operations, the federal CSR program supports “coherent, schoolwide improvements” that are based on scientific research and effective practice. Schools that engage in CSR are expected to develop an improvement plan that addresses all aspects of the school’s operations and meets eleven specific criteria (see below). Schools may choose to work with an external CSR model provider, or develop their own comprehensive program.

CSR History

This kind of reform effort is not new to many schools who have been following the CSR approach for years as Title I “schoolwide” programs or as part of the Goals 2000 initiatives. The Comprehensive School Reform Demonstration (CSRD) Program evolved from these programs in 1998 as part of the FY1998 Labor-HHS Education Appropriations Act. At that time, $145 million was made available to state education agencies to provide competitive incentive grants to school districts for schools that pursued comprehensive reform. This demonstration program provided grants of no less than $50,000 (renewable for two years) to schools that implemented a comprehensive school improvement model that met nine specific criteria. Over 1,800 schools received grants as part of the original 1988 cohort and an additional 3,500 schools received grants through funding increases in 2000 and 2001.

>On January 8, 2002, President Bush signed into law the reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), The No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, moving the federal CSR program from a demonstration program to part of Title I. The FY 2002 appropriation provides $310 million for CSR, with $235 million directed towards Title I schools and $75 million available to all public schools. For FY2003, Congress allocated $308 million for schools interested in CSR, with $233.5 million directed towards Title I schools and $74.5 million available to all public schools. FY2003 funds became available to states in July 2003. CSR program grants are now renewable for up to three years.

The State Role and Funding

States receive CSR funding based on their Title I formula, and award CSR grants to schools whose CSR program meets the eleven criteria outlined in the federal guidance. Since this is a competitive grant program, with states and local education agencies deciding how CSR funds will be distributed to schools, deadlines and requirements may vary. Designated state contacts provide details of timelines and requirements for each of the four states in WestEd's region: Arizona, California, Nevada, and Utah. Schools then use the grants to implement and evaluate comprehensive reform programs that must include technical assistance from an outside provider with a proven track record.

Structuring a CSR Program

CSR funds are meant to support comprehensive programs that embrace a school-wide improvement plan. For some schools, this may mean partnering with an external model provider. For others, it may mean developing a “homegrown” comprehensive reform program that still must include external technical assistance. No matter what a school decides to do, if they hope to get federal CSR funds, their reform effort must meet the eleven criteria components outlined in the CSR program guidance. For more specific information on the eleven components, go to the U.S Department of Education’s Comprehensive School Reform Demonstration Program Web site at: .

The Eleven Components

Schools are required to implement a comprehensive school reform program that:

  1. Employs proven methods and strategies based on scientifically based research ;
  2. integrates a comprehensive design with aligned components;
  3. provides ongoing, high-quality professional development for teachers and staff;
  4. includes measurable goals and benchmarks for student achievement;
  5. is supported within the school by teachers, administrators and staff;
  6. provides support for teachers, administrators and staff;
  7. provides for meaningful parent and community involvement in planning, implementing and evaluating school improvement activities;
  8. uses high-quality external technical support and assistance from an external partner with experience and expertise in schoolwide reform and improvement;
  9. plans for the evaluation of strategies for the implementation of school reforms and for student results achieved, annually;
  10. identifies resources to support and sustain the school's comprehensive reform effort
  11. has been found to significantly improve the academic achievement of students or demonstrates strong evidence;and
  12. has been found to significantly improve the academic achievement of students or demonstrates strong evidence that it will improve the academic achievement of students.
Other organizations that provide information on CSR:
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