1. Organizing the Central Office to
Support Systemic Change
Rethinking Resources
for Student Success October 14, 2011

2. Organizing the Central Office to Support
Systemic Change
 Laura Mitchell
Deputy Superintendent
Cincinnati Public Schools
 Don Fraynd
Chief School Improvement Officer
Chicago Public Schools
 Tanya Carter
Deputy Executive Director
Denver Public Schools
 Frank Barnes
Chief Accountability Officer
Cincinnati Public Schools
Education Resource Strategies 2

3. Four different approaches to Turnaround
District Approach Description
Cincinnati “Single Intensively train school leaders and
standard” provide them with a comprehensive,
standardized, supported model
Chicago “Dual Manage 1/3 of schools, outsource others
standard” to AUSL. Comprehensive, standardized,
supported model customized based on
results and close collaboration
Denver “Blueprint” Define key tenets of school success,
then support individual schools
intensively in achieving those tenets
through their own design
Boston “Portfolio” Collaborate with schools and outside
providers on intervention strategies
within framework, adapt to fit school
needs
Education Resource Strategies 3

4. Strategic Turnaround interventions and
investments
 School level
– Strong leaders
– Effective teaching
– Individual attention and time for accelerated learning
– Productive school culture
– Health, social and emotional support
 System level
– Support and accountability
– District removal of barriers to effective turnaround
Education Resource Strategies 4

5. What does this mean for the Central Office?
 Define the model
– School level factors
– Central organization
 Support and accountability
– Resources – talent, time and money
– Training/coaching
– Partners
– Define goals and monitor progress
 Integrate with district-wide improvement strategy
Education Resource Strategies 5

6. Organizing the Central Office to Support
Systemic Change
 Laura Mitchell
Deputy Superintendent
Cincinnati Public Schools
 Don Fraynd
Chief School Improvement Officer
Chicago Public Schools
 Tanya Carter
Deputy Executive Director
Denver Public Schools
 Frank Barnes
Chief Accountability Officer
Cincinnati Public Schools
Education Resource Strategies 6