Improvement Process

"A SCHOOL CAN FULFILL NO HIGHER PURPOSE THAN TO TEACH ALL ITS MEMBERS THAT THEY CAN MAKE WHAT THEY BELIEVE IN HAPPEN." Roland Barth

The New Hampshire Department of Education Special Education Program Approval and Improvement Process is an optional yearlong activity in addition to the Case Study Compliance Review.

This innovative approach is designed to guide educational communities through a data-driven school improvement planning process closely aligned with assessing compliance with state and federal special education regulations. The comprehensive improvement model assists educational communities in using research and data to focus on an aspect of special education.  A toolkit is provided for those sites participating in the yearlong improvement process. The basic components of this process are:

Forming an "Improvement Team" and Identifying a Team Facilitator 
Developing a Profile, Defining Beliefs & Mission and Defining the Focus 
Gathering and Analyzing Data Around that Focus 
Conducting the Case Study Compliance Review
The Final Report by the Improvement Team

Achieving school improvement must involve collaboration among all key stakeholders. The NHDOE Special Education Program Approval and Improvement Process provides a pathway for all partners to work together in assessing programs and services made available to children and youth with disabilities.

This year's current NHDOE Special Education Yearlong Improvement Process sites are:

• Contoocook Valley Cooperative School District
• Easter Seals, Robert B. Jolicoeur School
• Milton-Wakefield School District
• NH Hospital, Anna Philbrook Center
• Souhegan Cooperative School District
• Wilton-Lyndeborough Cooperative School District