Developing & Refining a Theory of Action

Center on School Turnaround at WestEd

Define Theory of Action Webinar Agenda Define Theory of Action Develop/refine the foundation of your TOA for supporting CSI and TSI schools Discuss how to turn a TOA into a logic model Discuss next steps for August 16/17

Theory of Action/ Theory of Change TOC maps out why a desired change is expected to happen in a particular context. Relationship between the target population, strategies, and desired impact If your SEA does A, B, and C, then LEAs will do R, S, T, which will result in X, Y, Z for students. Who is the target of the program or policy (e.g. LEAs, schools, students)? What are the main goals of the program or policy? What are the major strategies and activities associated with the program or policy?

Ground your TOA in your Vision What is your vision for CSI and TSI schools? What do you want to achieve in your CSI and TSI schools? What role does your SEA want to play in supporting CSI and TSI schools? What departments within the SEA are involved or do you want to be involved? What role do you want LEAs to play in supporting CSI and TSI schools? Given this context, how can we achieve our vision?

Basics of a Theory of Change Do (Strategies) Get (Results)

Start with your desired results Backwards Design Start with your desired results Then describe the strategies that will get you there

Reflection Questions Who is my program/initiative/approach targeting? What impact is the program expecting to achieve in the long-term? What strategies/activities will you use to make these results happen? Will these vary based on school/district performance? What evidence do you have that this change can happen as a result of your approach? Why do you believe that this change can happen as a result of your program?

Theory of Action/ Theory of Change TOC maps out why a desired change is expected to happen in a particular context. Relationship between the target population, strategies, and desired impact If your SEA does A, B, and C, then LEAs will do R, S, T, which will result in X, Y, Z for students. Who is the target of the program or policy (e.g. LEAs, schools, students)? What are the main goals of the program or policy? What are the major strategies and activities associated with the program or policy?

CST TOA IF we increase the capacity of RCCs, SEAs, and LEAs to identify, adopt, and sustain evidence-based practices that ensure equity and drive system change through leadership, talent development, instructional transformation, and culture shift--- THEN we will help SEAs and LEAs engage schools in dramatic turnaround efforts that are sustained by continuous improvement to increase student achievement, graduation, and college and career success and close the achievement gap.

Colorado District and School Support TOA If we... foster key conditions and research-based turnaround principles... diagnose and structure focused improvement planning... align and differentiate, and leverage the allocation of all funds to ensure equity and maximize impact... use select data and indicators to track and monitor progress... actively support new and growing turnaround talent development programs... pursue bold and urgent interventions and actions with schools and districts... Then... our lowest-performing districts and schools will become the highest-performing districts and schools as measured by the State Performance Frameworks. https://www.cde.state.co.us/accountability/performance

SEA TOA for Cross-Agency Collaboration If SEA develops a more collaborative culture then we will deepen our expertise across all divisions. If we deepen our expertise across all divisions, then we will deliver service and support that is better integrated and coordinated. If we deliver service and support that is integrated and well-coordinated, then educators will improve their effectiveness. If educators improve their effectiveness, then student performance will improve. SUCCESS

SEA District and School Turnaround TOA If SEA supports districts to use a cycle of continuous improvement to turnaround their lowest performing schools…. Then districts will strengthen the district systems of support necessary to continuously improve district and school performance.

Reflect on your TOA/TOC Are we targeting who we want to target? Do stakeholders have a shared definition of the desired results? Did we examine our assumptions about what it takes to achieve those results? Did we examine research and practice to choose our strategies? Did we consider capacity when determining our strategies? Does the TOA clearly show the relationship of strategies to results? Are these connections valid? How does my TOA fit with my State System of Support?

Differentiated System of Support May include state and federal programs Intensive support for CSI and TSI schools May have different approach for higher performing schools

TOA Logic Model TOA to Logic Model Inputs Outputs Outcomes Assumptions External Factors TOA Strategies Results

Visual representation of the program and its desired outcomes Logic Model Visual representation of the program and its desired outcomes Demonstrates the “if-then” relationships between elements of a program Many different models from complicated to simple!

Usually the quantity and/or quality of the activities. Outputs What does the approach create as a result of the activities and strategies? Usually the quantity and/or quality of the activities.

Direct Outcomes Long-Changes in proficiency, skill Medium-Changes in behavior Short term-Changes in knowledge, attitude Expected observable and measurable results that may occur directly from the strategies

Indirect Program Outcomes Influenced by outside factors Contribution to broad goals Longer term Expected observable and measurable results that may occur indirectly from the strategies

Next Steps Develop/refine your TOA for supporting CSI and TSI schools Meet with colleagues to discuss and refine the TOA Reflect on the relationship between your TOA and your State System of Support Come prepared to share a draft TOA (and logic model if you would like)