Support Schools Tool: Frequently Asked Questions

Support Schools Tools Questions


Support Schools Tools Questions

1. What is the Support Schools Tool?
The Department of Education and Workforce (DEW) annually releases a tool called the Support Schools Tool to help districts, community schools, and schools track how effectively they are implementing their One Plans and assess if any changes are needed. Additionally, for those identified as Comprehensive Support and Improvement (CSI) or Additionally Targeted Support and Improvement (ATSI) schools, the tool provides required actions within the Every Student Succeeds Act.

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2. Is my school, district, or community school required to complete the Support Schools Tool in FY24?
You will receive a notification from the Department if your district, school, or community school is required to complete the Support Schools Tool in FY24. All schools identified as CSI and some schools identified as ATSI within EDSTEPS Cohort 2 schools are required to complete the Tool. Districts in ED STEPS Cohort 2 that contain a CSI school are also required to complete the Tool. Participation is mandatory for this cohort of organizations. Choosing to not complete the Tool may result in additional monitoring for identified Cohort 2 schools or districts.
 
Schools identified as ATSI that were previously  identified as Focus or Warning will also need to answer certain questions. This year schools that are newly identified as ATSI without having been Focus or Warning in the past year will not have to complete the Tool. TSI identified schools will not be required to complete the tool for FY24.
 
All other organizations can complete the Tool on an optional basis. Use of the tool is strongly encouraged for all LEAs because it is best practice around DLT and BLT Monitoring of One Plan progress.

List of Cohort 2 schools, community schools and district required to complete the Support Schools Tool. 
 

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3. Should I complete the Support Schools Tool for School Improvement Grants and Expanding Opportunities for Each Child (EOEC) Grants?

The Grant Monitoring Surveys have been separated from the Support Schools Tool. If you are required to complete a Grant Survey, you will be notified, and the survey will be available on your Overview Tab in addition to the Support Schools Tool.

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4. When do districts, schools and community schools submit their Support Schools Tool survey?
Identified Community Schools, Buildings and Districts should submit surveys (with district/sponsor feedback for Priority schools) by March 1, 2024.

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5. How do districts, schools and community schools access the support tool?
Once a user logs into OHID, the EDSTEPS dashboard will have a link directly to the Support Schools tool. Additionally, the tool can be accessed through the Monitoring System.

A user needs an OH|ID portal account with a “Support Tool” role assignment.

For directions on how to gain access, view the Support Schools User Guide and see page 4.
 

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6. Do schools and districts need to respond to every question included in the Support Schools Tool survey?

All schools and districts will have access to the tool and the option to answer all questions. Identified CSI schools and districts containing a CSI school need to respond to all questions. Required questions will be marked with an asterisk (*). Schools identified as ATSI that were also identified as Focus or Warning last year will have five required questions (1,2,3,6, and 7). This year schools that are newly identified ATSI without having been Focus or Warning in the past year will not have to complete the tool. TSI identified schools will not have to complete the tool this year.

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7. What are State Support Teams (SST) and Ohio Department of Education and Workforce (ODEW) staff looking for when reviewing and providing feedback?
SST and DEW staff will look for schools to be clear about their current level of implementation of the plan and reflect on their strengths and weaknesses, opportunities for plan changes and ways of addressing barriers. Support organizations (District Leadership Teams, School Sponsors, SST and DEW staff) should provide feedback that points to strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities as well as potential resources and contacts to support school and district improvement. If data or information is unclear, state support teams may reach out and request additional information.

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8. What are the parameters for uploading documents in the Questions Tab?
a. The file size should not exceed 10 Mb;
b. If using the drop and drag feature, the file size of one or a combination of files should not exceed 10 Mb.
c. Please do not load more than 4 pages of documents per upload request.
d. Please label goal number when uploading student and adult measures.

Please note that organizations that were not selected to complete the Tool in FY24 do not need to upload documents to provide evidence.  Schools using the Supports Schools Tool as a self-assessment  will not receive feedback unless it is requested.

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9. I accidently uploaded an incorrect file. I don't see a way to delete it. How can I remove these files?
The Support Schools Tool only allows Department Staff to delete files. Please reach out to Regional Support if you need files deleted and they would be happy to assist you!

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10. Do ATSI and TSI schools require district feedback?
No. Only identified CSI schools require district feedback.  
 

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11. Must the LEA submit the tool prior to receiving State Support Team (SST), Sponsor or Department feedback?
In order for a school to receive feedback from their SST or the Department, the LEA must submit the tool after providing their feedback. Sponsors may provide feedback for community schools before or after submission. 

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12. How does a district leverage their State Support Team to work on the Supports Schools Tool?
A district with schools required to complete the Tool should be in contact with their SST to schedule time with the district's DLT and BLT(s). SST staff can support in many ways, depending on the district or school’s needs. The SST staff can provide technical assistance around the use of EDSTEPS and guidance regarding the Ohio Improvement Process, which includes support and coaching around collecting and utilizing data with a BLT or DLT, and identifying root cause, evidence based strategies and self-monitoring. 

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13. Do all stakeholders have to be in attendance of BLT and DLT meetings?
No. Stakeholders are not required to be in attendance at all meetings. They must be involved in the process of needs assessments, developing plans and monitoring plans via input, feedback and/ or collaboration. This can include but is not limited to in person and virtual meeting attendance, surveys, emails, TBT communication, etc. 

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14. How can one find out a school's designation
A list of all Cohort 2 schools that are required to complete the Supports School Tool for FY 2024 can be found on the Support Schools webpage. One can also find a list of all One Plan Cohort assignments on the EDSTEPS One Plan webage.

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15. How are CCIP, OIP One Needs Assessment and One Plan connected?

The Department is working to develop ED STEPS in a way that will bring all these things together.  Additionally, the Office of School and District Improvement continues to build capacity within districts and schools around using the Ohio Improvement Process to best utilize the ED STEPS system. For a visual explanation, please see our Support Schools Tool webinar and visit the ED STEPS website.

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16. I was unable to attend the webinar. Is there a recording?
Yes. You can find a recording of the webinar linked on our Support Schools Tool main page under resources. 

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Last Modified: 1/11/2024 4:32:05 PM