SWIFT Center

Policy Alignment Influence on Building Capacity and

Sustainability in Schoolwide Transformation

Jenny Stonemeier, TASH

Learning Objectives

• Expand your understanding of the SWIFT Center

• Establish a context for policy alignment within the SWIFT Framework

• Explore policy alignment exemplars• Connect to extended learning

resources (embedded within this document)

The SWIFT Center

• National Technical Assistance Center

• Support implementation of SWIFT Framework

• Schoolwide inclusive practices • Improve academic AND behavioral

outcomes for all students• www.swiftschools.org

SWIFT Policy Framework

PolicyA principle, plan, or course of action established in statute,

regulation, or proclamation

PracticeA method or procedure used in a particular field or

profession; a set of these regarded as standard

ImplementationA systematic series of actions directed to some end

SWIFT Policy Priorities• Funding – Models, Blending and

Braiding• Professional development• Eligibility, IEPs, Placement• Discipline• Accountability/ teacher

effectiveness• Family and stakeholder engagement

Policy Alignment Exemplar #1

Stoughton Area School District

• SWIFT Knowledge Development Site• Featured Story on

Moving Your Numbers• Engaged in systemic alignment

initiative• SWIFT Issue Brief #3

Stoughton ProcessCommunity-wide, Multi-year, Social justice lens

Align

• Curriculum & Assessment

• Professional development

• Policy & Procedures

• Funding

Strategic Drivers

• Data Utilization• Academic

Achievement• Climate & Culture• Communication &

Partnership

Stoughton Outcomes• Double digit increases in state

assessment scores math and reading• Increased advanced placement options

for all students• Improved performance on ACT• Marked narrowing of achievement gaps

among multiple groups• Dramatic improvements in high school

graduation rates• Dramatic decrease in identification rates

of students with disabilities

Policy Alignment Exemplar #2

Camdenton School District

• SWIFT Knowledge Development Site• Engaged in systemic alignment

initiative• SWIFT Issue Brief #4

Camdenton Process

• Gathered stakeholders• Articulated their vision, mission, and

guiding principles• Consistently examined data

(prospectively and retrospectively)• Significant changes to policies,

practices, and structures

Camdenton Changes• Changed attendance policy to allow

make up work• Implemented PBIS• Staffed the ISS room with certified

teachers to provide instructional support

• Provided home-bound instruction for students with significant behavioral challenges

Policy Exemplar #3

Hudson Memorial School

• SWIFT Implementation Site• Beginning year 2 of implementation

of SWIFT Core Features• Significant achievement gap

between students with disabilities and those without

Hudson 2-years

Hudson 3-years

Policy Exemplar #4

Colorado State Legislature

• State level policy applying to public schools

• Supported by broad stakeholders• Strong advocacy efforts for change

& follow up• Report: Colorado School Discipline R

eport Card

Colorado Outcomes

after 1 year of implementation

• 25% decrease in expulsion rates• 10% decrease in suspension rates• 9% decrease in referrals to law

enforcement• 3-7% decrease in racial group

disparities

For more information

SWIFT Centerwww.swiftschools.org

Jenny StonemeierDir. Education Policy TASH

jstonemeier@tash.org

202-540-9113

The National Center on Schoolwide Inclusive School Reform (The SWIFT Center) produced the data for this presentation under U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs Grant No. H325Y120005. OSEP Project Officers Grace Zamora Durán and Tina Diamond served as the project officers. The views expressed herein do not necessarily represent the positions or policies of the Department of Education. No official endorsement by the U.S. Department of Education of any product, commodity, service or enterprise mentioned in this publication is intended or should be inferred. This product is public domain. Authorization to reproduce it in whole or in part is granted. Please cite as: Jennifer Stonemeier(2014, October). Policy alignment influence on building capacity and sustainability in schoolwide transformation. Presented at the meeting of PBIS National Leadership Forum, Rosemont, IL.