Resources

The Comprehensive Centers are charged with building the capacity of state education agencies (SEAs) and the intermediate agencies that assist with the SEA’s mission. In California, the services of the California Comprehensive Center (CA CC) support the California Department of Education (CDE), the State Board of Education, the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing, the state’s Regional System of District and School Support, county offices of education, and various network partners of the CDE.

Although this site is available to the general public, the majority of the work produced by the CA CC is provided directly to the primary clients as listed above and not posted on this site. If you are aware of a specific document or product that has been provided to our primary clients, you may request a copy by sending an e-mail to info@cacompcenter.org.

Center Briefs

CA CC Summary of State Strategies for Districts in Improvement
The American Institutes for Research (AIR), as a partner in the California Comprehensive Center at WestEd, conducted interviews with 16 selected state education agencies (SEA) to determine what supports and interventions states have developed for districts identified for improvement under the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (NCLB). This brief paper summarizes the different approaches that the states have taken to support districts in improvement.

Research Summary Supporting the Nine Essential Program Components And Academic Program Survey
The nine Essential Program Components (EPCs), as measured on the Academic Program Survey (APS), are designed to support the improvement of student academic performance in reading/language arts and mathematics. The nine components have been identified in numerous research studies as key factors for school improvement and for the functioning of schools that are “beating the odds” by demonstrating success with challenging student populations. The American Institutes for Research (AIR), as a partner in the California Comprehensive Center at WestEd, created a summary of both school reform and practitioner-based research supporting the EPCs.

Data-Driven Decision Making Based on Curriculum-Embedded Assessment: Findings from Recent California Studies
A large amount of national research supports the concept of using data driven decision making to improve student achievement. This brief produced by the American Institutes for Research (AIR), as a partner in the California Comprehensive Center (CA CC) at WestEd, summarizes key findings about the use of data driven decision making, including the effective use of assessment data, the role of administrators, the role of teachers, and the role of parents and students, as detailed in three recent California studies.

Center Reports

California Early Learning Quality Improvement System (CAEL QIS) Advisory Committee Draft 2009 Interim Report
The draft 2009 Interim Report describes the progress of the CAEL QIS Advisory Committee in developing a plan to improve outcomes for children and promote school readiness by improving the quality of early learning and care programs for children from birth to five years old. This report focuses on the: 1) assessment and analysis of existing early education and care infrastructure in California and other states; and 2) initial development of an early learning quality rating structure. The final plan, to be completed by December 2010, will include a quality rating structure and a funding model, including incentives and technical assistance for a range of programs and providers. Please join CAEL QIS in 2010 to continue the development of California’s quality rating and improvement system and the expansion of CAEL QIS to the California State Advisory Council on Early Childhood Education and Care.

Building Regional Capacity to Support Schools and Districts in Need of Improvement Under NCLB
The American Institutes for Research (AIR), as a partner in the California Comprehensive Center at WestEd, identified five states with comprehensive regional systems for supporting districts and schools in need of improvement under the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act of 2001. We then interviewed selected state education agency (SEA) staff in the five states — Georgia, Illinois, New York, Ohio, and Texas — to learn about their regional capacity-building strategies and to identify common system characteristics.

The intent of this report is purely descriptive. That is, we have not attempted to evaluate the states’ regional systems in any way. Consequently, we do not know how effective these systems are in improving schools and districts, nor the extent to which the systems are implemented as intended.

Useful Links

Includes other websites that will help with NCLB implementation.

Comprehensive Centers Program
This program awards discretionary grants to establish comprehensive technical assistance centers to help low-performing schools and districts close achievement gaps and meet the goals of the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001.

Regional Comprehensive Centers

Content Comprehensive Centers

No Child Left Behind - ED.gov
Provides information about the No Child Left Behind legislation including an overview, an A-Z index, and specific tabs for students, parents, teachers, and administrators. Developed by the US Department of Education.

Regional Educational Laboratory Program
Serves the educational needs of a designated region by providing access to high quality scientifically valid education research through applied research and development projects, studies, and other related technical assistance activities. Funded by the US Department of Education.

The Center for the Future of Teaching and Learning
The Center is a public, not-for-profit organization, founded on the belief that the knowledge and skills of teachers are key to improved student achievement. The strategic purpose of the Center is to strengthen the continuing development of California’s teacher force in order to provide a rigorous and balanced curriculum for all students, thereby ensuring every child’s continued intellectual, ethical and social development.

The Center's Web site features recent information on teacher development including research, state and national policy and legislative initiatives, and models for effective practice.

U.S. Department of Education (ED)
Offers a range and an ever-growing collection of information about the US Department of Education, including initiatives and priorities, grant opportunities, offices, publications, and research and statistics.

What Works Clearinghouse
Provides educators, policymakers, and the public with a central and independent source of scientific evidence of what works in education. A project of the Institute of Education Sciences, US Department of Education.

Forums and Mailing Lists

SchoolsMovingUp

A WestEd initiative that helps schools and districts address the immense challenge of raising student achievement in low-performing schools. In an interactive Web format, SchoolsMovingUp offers practitioners knowledge and expertise they need to make sound decisions and take tangible action in their school reform efforts.

Get access to online events, archives, tools, comments, discussions and more! Registration is free and requires no obligation. Your name and email will not be provided to any third parties.