Page 13 - Comprehensive Needs Assessment Toolbook, By Deb Wahlstrom
P. 13
Questions and Answers 5. I have a template and a system from the state
in which I have to put information? Does this
duplicate my work? No. Think of your Toolbook as
1. Can the toolbook be used with any where you keep everything before you enter it into
improvement model? Yes. The ideas in the Indistar or AdvancED or anywhere else. When it’s
toolbook will support you as you implement your time to place information into those systems, you’ll
own improvement model, no matter which one be able to copy and paste. You can even integrate
you use. You do not need to change your what you are doing right in your toolbook.
improvement model to use the Toolbook.
6. If I use the ideas in the Toolbook, will they take
2. Does this replace the data system we use me in a different direction from where my state
now? No. Keep using your data systems. This is says I have to go? No, and here’s why. The
not a data system. It is a system for working Comprehensive Needs Assessment is a Federal
with and thinking about data. It’s in a toolbook requirement, and there are many ways to get to that
as a way to organize materials for you. Chances requirement. The ideas in the Toolbook will support
are, you’ll see a graph or chart that your system you in any process you are using to develop your
produces. That just means you won’t need to use Comprehensive Needs Assessment. The tools in the
the template that’s provided because you already Toolbook will help you complete whichever process
have it. Just use all the other information on the you are asked to use more effectively, accurately,
page with your own graph or chart. and efficiently.
3. Can I place my own data into my OneNote 7. We’ve been doing Comprehensive Needs
Toolbook? Absolutely! This would be a great Assessments and School Plans for Years, but
way to organize your data as you work through we don’t improve. Will the Toolbook help? Yes.
your Comprehensive Needs Assessment. You can The techniques I share have helped the schools
just cut and paste a copy of your own charts and where I’ve used them, and I’ve worked in hundreds
graphs right where you want them. Easy peasy. of schools. A Comprehensive Needs Assessment
should lead to a school plan that is just right for a
4. Is this more of the same old, same old? school. If a school plan is built on the same premise
Absolutely NOT. I am going to push you to be – or checklist – that other schools are using, it
more structured, to try new things, or to try probably will not raise student achievement because
things in a new and more structured way. I will it isn’t customized enough for your context. The goal
push you toward continuous improvement so you is to always help you figure out what will work for
get the teaching and learning students deserve. you in your context. The tools in the Toolbook are
designed to do that.
