National Center for Systemic Improvement

Current Challenge

Students with disabilities can and do meet high expectations when education systems are designed to meet their needs. Such success requires adopting and implementing evidence-based instruction, designing and implementing effective general supervision systems, and equipping committed state leaders with the skills to leverage their authority, influence, and resources. 

Purpose

The National Center for Systemic Improvement (NCSI) advances outcomes for students with disabilities through sustained technical assistance (TA) that strengthens state educational agency (SEA) capacity to ensure effective implementation of IDEA.  

We provide data-driven, client-centered support for state leaders and staff to strengthen organizational and talent management and retention; design, implement, evaluate, and improve general supervision systems; and lead for effective instruction through evidence-based and high-leverage practices. 

Audience Served

NCSI provides differentiated technical assistance to support SEAs to examine conditions producing current results and determine what changes are needed; plan for and implement deep systemic solutions that address root causes; ensure ongoing commitment to results amid changing conditions; and use data and insights to support systems improvement at scale. 

Key Activities

NCSI builds knowledge and awareness through national events and the creation and distribution of resources through Universal TA; convenes state teams and national thought leaders to jointly explore pressing problems and support one another to identify and test out solutions via Targeted TA; and offers customized support to individual states to engage in systemic reviews and improvement processes to change outcomes for students with disabilities through Intensive TA. 

Center Directors

Rorie Fitzpatrick

As Vice President for the Center for Education Systems at WestEd, Fitzpatrick provides leadership for client expansion and experience, quality assurance, talent development and growth, and eminence and visibility for the agency’s work on school and district improvement and state policy and impact.

Michele Rovins

In her current role as Senior Director, Special Education Policy and Practice, she is responsible for directing the development and expansion of services to support clients in building educational systems that advance opportunities for students to succeed and for leading the team in building effective systems and communities nationwide that improve outcomes for students with disabilities. 

Funder

This project is funded in full by the U.S. Office of Special Education Programs at the U.S. Department of Education through award #H326R190001. 

Project Duration

10/1/2014-9/30/2029

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