Support Schools Tool
notice
School in ED STEPS Cohort 1 that are designated as Comprehensive Support and Improvement (CSI) and Additional Targeted Support and Improvement (ATSI) must complete the Support Schools Tool survey for the current fiscal year (FY26). The districts that contain these schools must also complete the tool.
Schools and districts, as of November 20, 2025, can now access the FY26 Support Schools Tool through the Monitoring Application. The deadline for required schools and districts to complete the Tool is January 30, 2026. See the resource section below for more information regarding the FY26 Support Schools Tool.
The Department will be hosting a virtual Open Office Hours for the Support Schools Tool on Friday December 5, 2025 at 9AM. Please register online for this webinar.
For more information or assistance, please reach out to the Office of School and District Improvement or your State Support Team .
Purpose of the Support Schools Tool
The Ohio Department of Education and Workforce’s Support Schools Tool helps districts and schools track the effectiveness of the implementation of evidenced-based strategies identified in their school improvement plans. The Support Schools Tool assists district and school leadership teams in evaluating the impact of their educational practices. District leadership teams, with the assistance of State Support Teams, also use this tool to identify areas of improvement and inform targeted coaching efforts for individual schools.
The tool is required for assigned cohorts in Year 2 of their three-year ED STEPS plan; however, it is available to all districts and schools at any point in their three-year ED STEPS cycle. Required districts and schools will be listed on this page and notified of their required status.
rESOURCES
Fiscal Year 2026 Support Schools Tool Cohort 1 Districts and Schools
Fiscal Year 2026 Support Schools Tool Questions
Fiscal Year 2026 Support Schools Tool Technical Manual
Fiscal Year 2026 Support Schools Tool Webinar Slides
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Support Schools Tool Guide (December 2025)
Last Modified: 12/5/2025 7:37:10 AM