PLA

Persistently Lowest-Achieving Schools

Site Visit Kit

The primary purpose for the site-visit is to provide information to the State Education Department (NYSED) and the school related to the school's operations, such as curriculum planning, assessment, staff development, and performance evaluation. The site-visits and subsequent reports are not intended to provide technical assistance or other advice. The visit is also not intended to directly assist schools in making decisions about how to improve academic programs or operations. Rather, the purpose of the visit is to gather qualitative and quantitative evidence specifically related to:

  • Staffing
  • Planning
  • Professional Development
  • Curriculum and Teaching
  • Student Support
  • Transformational Leadership
  • School Climate
  • Community Engagement
  • Funding Sources
  • District Support

The evidence will be used to document the school's performance for accountability purposes.

Visits are usually completed in one day, but may be adjusted due to the size, location or specific conditions of a particular school. They are one of the means by which NYSED documents performance and progress over time. Teams vary in size, yet are usually 2 to 4 persons. Team members will talk with teachers, administrators, parents and students. They will visit classrooms to observe instruction, and review documents and materials.

Last Updated: September 30, 2011