Maine Department of Education

Collaborating to Support Low Performing Schools

February 20, 2013

Hexagon Tool– Guiding Questions

Team Members: ______

Target Initiative/Practice for Review: ______

Need
What factors identify this initiative/practice as an area of need?
  1. Consider academic achievement data, graduation rate, behavior data, etc.

  1. Consider socially significant issues: suspensions, expulsions, school safety, school climate

  1. Consider parent and community perceptions- are they aware of the need, are community perceptions positive or negative

  1. What data is available that will communicate the need to students, teachers, parents, district, State?

  1. What other factors should be considered when determining if there is a true need for this initiative/practice?

Fit
What factors or current initiatives are currently in place that will support this proposed initiative/practice?
  1. How would this proposed initiative/practice align with the current State Strategic Plan?

  1. How would this proposed initiative/ practice align with RTI and Standards Based Proficiency?

  1. How would this proposed initiative/practice fit within the current organizational structure?

  1. How would this proposed initiative/practice align with community values?

  1. How would this proposed initiative/practice align with the state vision and mission for preparing students for the 21st Century work force?

Resources
What resources are available to implement this proposed initiative/practice at the school, district and State level?
Identify the resources for:
  1. Curricula and classroom instruction

  1. Technology supports

  1. Staffing

  1. Training

  1. Data systems

  1. Coaching and supervision

  1. Administration and systems support

Evidence
What outcomes or evidence will signify that the goals of this initiative/practice have been met?
  1. What data will measure if it was worth the effort?

  1. What data will determine that goals have been met?

  1. What data will determine the fidelity of the practice?

  1. What data will determine if it has been cost effective?

  1. What data will ensure that this initiative/practice can be replicated with similar and diverse population groups?

  1. How will efficacy and effectiveness be measured?

Readiness
How will readiness for replication be determined?
  1. Have you identified a qualified *purveyor? (*Individual or group who actively work to implement a practice or program with fidelity)

  1. Is there an expert or technical assistance available to support the replication of the initiative?

  1. Are there mature sites for new sites to observe?

  1. Have there been several successful replications of this initiative/practice?

  1. How well is the initiative/practice operationalized? Is it able to be replicated without dependence on certain individuals?

  1. Have the Implementation Drivers* (Competency Drivers, Organizational Drivers, Leadership) been operationalized?

Capacity
Do you have the capacity to implement the initiative/practice?
  1. Does the staff meet minimum qualifications?

  1. Are you able to sustain the Implementation Drivers* financially?

  1. Are you able to sustain the Implementation Drivers* structurally?

  1. Has “buy in” or ownership been operationalized by:

Educators?
Administrators
Families?

*Implementation Drivers

Competency Drivers: staff capacity to support children/families with the selected practices. Includes staff selection, training and coaching

Leadership Drivers: Capacity of leaders to provide direction and vision. Includes ability to tackle both technical and adaptive challenges

Organizational Drivers: institutional capacity to support teachers and staff with implementing practices with fidelity. Includes a decision support data system, facilitative administration and systems intervention that remove barriers to facilitate the new work