The Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) has developed a State Systemic Improvement Plan (SSIP). The SSIP focuses on supporting both elementary and middle school teachers around the implementation of evidence-based math practices and Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS). Using the Active Implementation Frameworks, the SSIP centers around developing systems of support to close gaps and improve educational results for students with disabilities (SWD).
Through the SSIP, the KDE collaborates with regional cooperatives in a limited number of districts known as Transformation Zones. Using continuous improvement cycles, regions are supporting districts in reaching the districts’ goals.
The State Systemic Improvement Plan focuses on exploring the Active Implementation Frameworks which provide intentional support at each level of the system to increase effective implementation of evidence-based practices (EBP) and achieve improved student outcomes. To accomplish these goals, the formula of success is used to be put the frameworks in place by:
- Usable Innovation: An evidence-based practice (EBP) or program that is intended to improve results is chosen based on need, the best available evidence to achieve the specified goal and is operationalized to be teachable, learnable, doable and measurable.
- Effective Implementation and Improvement: Teams receive training, coaching and feedback to effectively use the EBP and make improvements based on feedback.
- Enabling Context: The team actively creates a hospitable environment to ensure an enabling context exists to support implementation and improvement in the use of the EBP.
- Educationally Significant Outcomes: Successful implementation of the formula of success results in educationally significant outcomes.
Usable Innovations
Part of the Active Implementation Frameworks is having a quality innovation that is usable and measurable known as the “what” you plan to implement. For an innovation to be usable, it must have a clear description in which the key features and purpose of the innovation are easily identifiable.
Resources for Mathematics Usable Innovations
Below are resources that clearly define effective mathematics instruction to support students with disabilities.
Kentucky Mathematics Innovation Practice Profile: Based on the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics’ (NCTM) eight mathematics teaching practices, this document operationalizes quality math instruction in the classroom. It can be used to support the implementation of any mathematics innovation.
The resources below provide a deeper look into each mathematics teaching practice by including strategies for implementation to support students with disabilities.
Source: Principles to Actions: Ensuring Mathematical Success for All, copyright 2014, by the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics.
Tools for Selecting Usable Innovations for All Content Areas
Below are tools that can be used to select an innovation to determine whether it is a good fit based on the need and if there are enough resources available to support the effective use of the innovation.
Hexagon Tool: A tool used to evaluate innovations and determine what gaps need to be addressed prior to implementation.
Kentucky State Initiative Inventory: A tool used to review past and current programs to get a clear picture of successful strategies, challenges, requirements, and resource commitments.
Kentucky Usable Innovation Process: A support tool to guide teams through analyzing new or current innovations (programs, practices, initiatives) that can be used to meet the identified needs of students and support improved student outcomes.
Effective Implementation and Improvement
Enabling Context