DMPS Continuous School Improvement

A Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) is a term used to describe an evidence-based model of education that uses data-driven problem-solving to integrate academic and behavioral instruction and intervention. To make decisions to implement the system of supports, the use of a structured, data-driven problem-solving process is a critical component of support to assure that each of the tiers included in the MTSS model is constructed in response to the specific needs of the students.
As we examine district data, we are committed to keeping an equity focus on how we serve students from all groups and determine their needs. Additionally, we must be inclusive of all voices through the problem-solving process and believe that when we engage students, families, and the community as authentic education partners, the learning becomes more dynamic, and students can grow academically, socially, and emotionally. Equity, inclusiveness, continuous improvement, and evidence-based decision-making should be foundational to all DMPS structures.

Here at DMPS, School improvement is rooted in our Guiding Values and Paradigms. These values, as explained below, are embedded in every part of school improvement and are at the forefront of our decision making process. The Every Student Succeeds Act, signed into law December 10th, 2015, was enacted to ensure the success for all students and schools. Provisions were included to address equity by protecting our students with the highest needs. The act also sets the expectation that intentional actions and accountability will be used to improve our lowest performing schools.

Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS)
Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) in Iowa is an every-education decision-making framework of evidence-based practices in instruction and assessment that addresses the needs of all students in general education. Click below for more information

MTSS Overview (Heartland AEA)
MTSS Concept Map (Heartland AEA)

Continuous Improvement
The mission of the Continuous Improvement Department is to provide district employees an established approach to evaluate all processes in order to identify opportunities for improvements leading to increased efficiencies, effectiveness, and greater student outcomes.
Click here for more information.

In Person Supports

District-Level Support

District support is available to all buildings through the Network Support Structure. You can connect with district level experts, receive additional staff training, and participate in collaborative development. Network Support Team members collaborate with schools to support their action plans to achieve improved results. Contact your network director or your curriculum coordinator to learn more.

Title I Team Supports

The individuals below are available to provide schools with supports specific to Title I programming. Areas of support for each person include:

April Murray – Schoolwide Plans, allowable expenditures, program requirements, CPSP
Josie Sturgis – ESSA supports and requirements for schools designated for Targeted and Comprehensive Supports, CPSP, action planning, data literacy
Kayleigh Koester
Deb Meyer – allowable expenditures, school budgets, spending projections

Process & Tools

For All DMPS Schools

All DMPS schools participate and receive supports through the Self Assessment of MTSS Implementation (SAMI) and the Collaborative-Problem Solving Process (CPSP).

SAMI
SAMI Canvas Course

The Self-Assessment of MTSS Implementation (SAMI) is a needs assessment tool that helps school leadership teams understand the status of MTSS implementation in their buildings. This tool supports in the engagement of active discussions to identify strengths and challenges in current MTSS implementation. It is designed to help the local system identify current practices, areas of strength, and areas for growth and refinement, and enable faculty and staff to prioritize and focus resources on those areas in need of the most attention or support. All the work and school-wide implementation efforts from statewide to local are tied to one overarching theme: increasing learning outcomes for all students.

Link to Iowa School Performance Profiles

Click here to access Collaborative Problem-Solving Process Documentation and Resources

Collaborative Problem-Solving Process
Collaborative Problem-Solving Process Canvas Course

The DMPS Collaborative Problem-Solving Process (CPSP) is designed to support schools in identifying the most urgent areas for action planning. The four steps are: Step #1: Define the problem, Step #2: Analyze the problem and verify root causes, Step #3: Develop and implement a plan, and Step #4: Monitor and /evaluate the a plan. Step Three, which results in a Theory of Action, and Step Four, the monitoring and evaluation process, are the school’s high-level School Improvement Plan and should be encompassed in the school’s Schoolwide Title I Program Plan and creation of staff professional development.

DMPS Board Goals

School Improvement in Des Moines Public Schools is rooted in the Board Goals, which are:
Literacy

Goal 1. The percentage of 4th grade students scoring proficient or advanced on the ISASP ELA assessment will increase from 50.1% in Spring 2023 to 65.0% in Spring 2027.
Goal 2. The percentage of 8th grade students scoring proficient or advanced on the ISASP ELA assessment will increase from 53.3% in Spring 2024 to 63.0% in the spring of 2027.

Future Ready

Goal 3: The percentage of Grade 12 students earning a Diploma Plus in 4 years of high school will increase from 38.2% in Spring of 2024 to 63.5% in Spring 2030.

More information on the establishment of the Board Goals can be found here.

Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA)

Under the Iowa plan to meet the requirements of the Federal Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), schools are designated for support on either a yearly (Targeted Support) or every three years (Comprehensive Support) basis.

Once a school is identified as receiving Targeted or Comprehensive support, they maintain that status for three years. Schools are selected identified based on their rating on the Iowa School Performance Profile. To complete the requirements determined through these ESSA designations, DMPS uses the Collaborative Problem-Solving Process and the Self Assessment of MTSS Implementation (SAMI) to determine opportunities for improvement

Please click here for Iowa's approved ESSA State Plan