Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main objective of the Comprehensive School
Reform Program?
What makes a program comprehensive?
How do we find information about Comprehensive School Reform models?
How do we know which model is right for our school?
Can schools develop their own CSR programs?
How do schools get money through the CSR?
How much money can schools get through CSR?
For what activities may a school use CSR funds?
Can local education agencies receive CSR funds for
administration expenses associated with the program?
What is the main objective of the Comprehensive School Reform Program?
CSR’s goal is to help schools engage in comprehensive reforms that are grounded in scientifically based research and effective practices so that all students can meet challenging state and local academic standards. CSR was designed to leverage systemic improvement in low performing schools—especially those that qualify for Title I funds.
What makes a program comprehensive?
A comprehensive program provides a school with a vision and blueprint for school-wide change and encompasses all aspects of the school’s operation, including teaching, learning, parental involvement, community outreach, assessment, technology, and environment. To receive federal funding, a school’s reform program must address the following eleven components:
- Employs proven methods and strategies based on scientifically based research
- Integrates a comprehensive design with aligned components
- Provides ongoing, high-quality professional development for teachers and staff
- Includes measurable goals and benchmarks for student achievement
- Is supported within the school by teachers, administrators, and staff
- Provides support for teachers, administrators, and staff
- Provides for meaningful parent and community involvement in planning, implementing, and evaluating school improvement activities
- Uses high-quality external technical support and assistance from an entity that has experience and expertise in schoolwide reform and improvement
- Plans for the annual evaluation of strategies for the implementation of school reforms and for student results achieved
- Identifies resources to support and sustain the school's comprehensive reform effort
- Has been found to significantly improve the academic achievement of students or demonstrates strong evidence that it will improve the academic achievement of students
How do we find information about comprehensive school reform models?
There are many sources for information on identifying, selecting, and implementing a Comprehensive
School Reform model or program. The
Catalog of School Reform Models, produced and updated by the Northwest Regional Education
Laboratory, contains information about a wide variety of comprehensive models and other models.
Both the
U.S. Department of Education’s CSR web site and the
Center for Comprehensive School
Reform and Improvement list multiple sources for information on school reform
models.
For a list of publications and tools, see the
Research section of this web site.
How do we know which model is right for our school?
In order to find the right comprehensive model or program, a school
must first assess their current situation. What things are going
well at the school? Which areas need immediate improvement? What
has to happen for the school to meet its academic goals? Self-examining
questions like these should all be part of a larger needs assessment
that defines clear academic goals and then measures strengths and
weaknesses in key areas such as curriculum and instruction, professional
development, management, and parental involvement. It is also important
that the model's philosophy matches that of the school and that
there is support for implementing the model from faculty, staff,
and parents. There are several good self-assessment tools available
to schools, including on-line tools from the
Center for Comprehensive School Reform and Improvement.
For a list of tools and resources about models and model selection, see the
Guides and Tools section of this web site.
Since CSR funds are meant to support comprehensive programs that embrace a school-wide improvement plan, any model or program selected by a school must meet all eleven criteria outlined in the CSR program guidance. There may be instances in which a school will want to adopt an established model with a proven track record that does not contain all of the eleven components. In such a case, the school would have to address the missing component(s) by adding elements into its program. For example, suppose a school selected a model that did not have a strategy for evaluating progress after implementation. In that case, the school would need to develop some type of systematic evaluation process to measure progress and make mid-course corrections as needed.
Can schools develop their own CSR programs?
Schools are free to develop their own CSR programs as long as they meet the eleven criteria components outlined in the CSR program guidance. Since developing a comprehensive school improvement plan is challenging for any school, experts suggest that schools new to the CSR process consider a model with a proven track record.
How do schools get money through the CSR?
CSR funds are awarded competitively through state education agencies (SEAs). A school district or local education agency (LEA) will make an application to the state education agency on behalf of the schools in the district wanting CSR funding. How this money is distributed to schools and which schools will receive grants will be determined by the SEAs and LEAs. CSR program guidance requires states to give priority to LEAs that are committed to assisting schools identified as needing improvement. The guidance also states that when awarding funds to LEAs, states should consider equitable distribution to different geographic regions within the state, including urban and rural communities, as well as to schools serving a variety of grade levels.
Contact your state’s CSR program coordinator or director for more information about the grant application process.
How much money can schools get through CSR?
Schools may receive a minimum of $50,000 a year for up to three years to implement their comprehensive school reform programs. States decides how much money to award each school. The bulk of the money in each state is earmarked for schools eligible for Title I funds, but there are also CSR funding allotments set aside for other schools that meet the CSR program criteria.
For what activities may a school use CSR funds?
CSR funds are to be used toward the implementation of a comprehensive reform plan. To meet the challenge of fully implementing and sustaining a comprehensive reform plan, a school must coordinate CSR funds with other funds and resources. The CSR program was designed to provide schools with “jump start” funds meant to finance the initial implementation of a comprehensive reform program. That program should be coordinated with and ultimately sustained by all the resources available to the school, including federal, state, local and private resources. It should be noted that a school’s entire comprehensive reform program does not have to be implemented at once.
Can local education agencies receive CSR funds for administration expenses associated with the program?
Yes, in addition to the grants distributed to schools, an LEA’s grant award may include funding to cover “reasonable and necessary” costs for administrative expenses, technical assistance, and evaluation activities.
For more information on the CSR program, contact: the U.S. Department of Education or the Center for Comprehensive School Reform and Improvement.
