Office of Accountability

ON-SITE REVIEW SUMMARY

► The State Education Department conducts on-site School Quality Reviews (SQR) for schools in the Improvement phase - Focused and Comprehensive categories.

► The School Quality Review (SQR) is a school improvement support and intervention strategy for low-performing schools in New York State with a focus on teaching and learning. It is not monitoring.  The approach is non-evaluative. The SQR Team is appointed by the Commissioner.

The SQR on-site visit for Improvement (year 1) Focused schools is conducted over 1 to 2 days. Technical assistance is offered as a follow-up on key factors affecting school success, as identified in the SQR recommendations, through review of the Comprehensive Educational Plan (CEP) and grant application.

The SQR on-site visit for Improvement (year 1) Comprehensive schools is conducted over a 2-3 day period.  Technical assistance is offered as a follow-up on key factors affecting schools success, as identified in the SQR recommendations, through review of the CEP and grant application.

► The SQR Team is composed of:

  • SED Team Leader, Reviewer
  • SED – Team Facilitator, Reviewer (Convener)
  • District Representatives, Reviewer (1-3 members)
  • Content Area Specialist/ Sub-group Specialist – Reviewer

*See roles and responsibilities descriptions for more details.

► SED Training on School Quality Review:

  • Conducted for Districts and schools upon release of list of identified schools
  • Provided to SI Team by SQR project leads-Fall 2010
  • Provided to SQR Teams once on-site visits are scheduled, by SED Team Leader

► SQR Team On-Site Focus:

  • Direct observation of teaching and learning of all classes, for full period, for all identified content areas and subgroups cited, plus other classes, if time allows.
  • Direct exploration of those aspects of the school’s work which impact teaching and learning
  • Review of documentation (prior to visit).
  • Interview teachers 15 – 25 minutes each; Interview Principal; Interview Assistant Principal;

      Interview others, including instructional support staff and pupil personnel staff and parents.

  • Formulate a collective perspective of teaching and learning in the school and related aspects of school operations (using the Quality Indicators Document).

► SED Coordination and Oversight of School Quality Review Report

  • SQR Team submits report, including findings and recommendations, to SED Liaison.
  • SED liaison reviews and edits the report, as needed.
  • SED sends the draft report to all SQR team members for final review.
  • SED sends the final report to all Team members, the school, district, District Superintendent and posts the report on the Internet.

 

 

Last Updated: December 1, 2010