What is ED STEPS?
ED STEPS is the Education Department’s System of Tiered E-Plans and Supports (ED STEPS). It is a process for improving the way the Department coordinates, collaborates and communicates to support districts and schools in addressing their needs. ED STEPS standardizes timelines and streamlines the process for assessing needs, developing plans and applying for funds. The ED STEPS process will be supported by improvements to the Department’s technology systems and tools, most notably the Comprehensive Continuous Improvement Plan (CCIP), over the next several years.
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What brought about ED STEPS?
The idea for the ED STEPS Project came from over four years of educator and administrator feedback, including a comprehensive analysis of the CCIP, user interviews and input from an advisory group. ED STEPS aligns with Ohio’s Strategic Plan for Education,
Each Child Our Future, and its vision that each child is challenged, prepared and empowered for the future. It aligns with the three core principles of equity, partnerships and quality schools, as well as the 10 core strategies.
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What are the objectives and benefits of ED STEPS?
ED STEPS will improve the user experience, reduce the time and resources the Department and districts devote to compliance activities, promote cross-office and program support, remove unnecessary barriers and duplication, and offer tools to help districts think more holistically about resource allocation. Creating a system to assist in breaking down programmatic silos and fostering collaboration will result in improvements in how the Department communicates on district needs, plans and funding opportunities. The system will maximize and leverage resources by shifting the approach to “fund the plan, not plan to fund,” standardizing timelines and adopting a three-year planning cycle with annual funding applications
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What is the ED STEPS pilot?
The Department partnered with 39 districts of all typologies to pilot a three-year planning cycle. This started with issuing a prototype single needs assessment tool for a three-year planning period beginning in January 2020. The Department utilized this pilot as a way to gather feedback on the systems and process, along with standardizing the timeline for identification of needs and developing plans over a three-year cycle. Pilot districts submitted three-year plans in April 2020 for the Department to implement a cross-agency review and approval process in April and May. Pilot districts also submitted a consolidated funding application aligned to the plan by June 30, 2020.
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What are the deadlines for the various components of ED STEPS?
The deadlines for One Needs Assessment and CCIP One Plan depend on your cohort. For FY22, Cohort 1 needs to have their One Needs Assessment and One Plan completed by April 30, 2021. This is an extension of the original deadline of March 31, 2021. The new deadline still should allow enough time for Department offices to review plans and provide feedback before funding applications are due by June 30th. Cohorts 2 and 3 need to have the One Needs Assessment, One Plan and funding applications completed by June 30th for a substantially approved date of July 1st. A timeline of deadlines can be found on the homepage of the ED STEPS
website.
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Who do I contact for ED STEPS questions or to provide feedback?
Please contact
EDSTEPS@education.ohio.gov for questions and feedback.
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