Official DESE Communications

This website provides detailed guidance and instructions for each step of the sustainable improvement planning process. A district and school team can access each section on this webpage when needed for each step.

Schools that have yet to engage in this process should use the guidance through an Initial Sustainable Improvement Planning Process lens, while those that already have a plan that was developed through the SSoS Turnaround Planning process last academic year should use the guidance through an Annual Renewal Process for Sustainable Improvement Plans lens.

Initial Sustainable Improvement Planning Process

Schools that are engaging in the sustainable improvement planning process for the first time should start here.

Steps to Take to Get Started in Using the Guidance

• Step 1: An excellent place to get started is the Initial Sustainable Improvement Planning Process at A Glance document, which provides a summary of what schools developing sustainable improvement plans will address in each of the stages of the process.
• Step 2: The Sample Timeline for Initial Sustainable Improvement Planning conveys that developing a sustainable improvement plan is a continuous process that rolls out in stages throughout the academic year. To understand what happens after the full plan is developed, the Sample Timeline for the Annual Renewal Process for Sustainable Improvement Plans is a good early reference.
• Step 3: Read through the Sustainable Improvement Planning Submission Requirements and Process section for guidance on navigating each of the sections in the Initial Sustainable Improvement Planning process and to understand what will be expected by DESE of your school and district as a result of engaging in this process.
• Step 4: Decide who will be on the team(s) that lead the sustainable improvement plan development process. The Stakeholder Engagement section provides useful guidance as your team thinks about creating these teams and processes.
• Step 5: Finally, as a key step before digging into the guidance below, a thorough review of the Massachusetts Turnaround Practices and the MA Tools for Schools website is strongly encouraged.

Annual Renewal Process for the Sustainable Improvement Plan

Schools that already have a plan that was developed through the SSoS Turnaround Planning process last academic year should start here.

Steps to Take to Get Started in Using the Guidance

• Step 1: An excellent place to get started is the Annual Renewal Process for Sustainable Improvement Plans at A Glance document, which provides a summary of what schools implementing sustainable improvement plans will address in each of the stages of the process.
• Step 2: The Sample Timeline for the Annual Renewal Process for Sustainable Improvement Plans conveys that implementing a sustainable improvement plan is a continuous process that rolls out in stages throughout the academic year.
• Step 3: Read through the Sustainable Improvement Planning Submission Requirements and Process section for guidance on navigating each of the sections in the Annual Renewal Process for Sustainable Improvement Plans Flow Chart and to understand what will be expected by DESE of your school and district as a result of engaging in this process.
• Step 4: Revisit the composition of the team(s) that lead the sustainable improvement plan implementation process. The Stakeholder Engagement section provides useful guidance as you think about these teams and processes.
• Important Note: The school does not need to rewrite the sustainable improvement plan developed for this school year (SY2019-20). Districts and schools only need to follow the guidance in the sections highlighted in the Annual Renewal of Sustainable Improvement Plans Submission Requirements to update the current strategies, describe what in the plan will be modified or changed for next year (SY2020-21), and what benchmarks and goals will be used to gauge progress. These updates should help keep everyone in the school focused on the same priorities and outcomes as you move into the next school year.