The Regional System of District and School Support (RSDSS) is a part of the statewide system of school support that was established to meet state and federal requirements. The support system, working within county offices of education (COEs), offers intensive and sustained assistance to local educational agencies (LEAs) and schools receiving Title I funds to increase the opportunity for all students to meet the state’s academic content standards. California uses a regional approach to address the needs of students because of the vast number of schools and districts in the state. This support system delivers and brokers resources to districts and schools in need of improvement.
Purpose of Work
Assisting districts and their schools in helping all children to achieve high standards of academic performance is the mission of Region 1. The RSDSS can provide districts with the expertise they need to make a difference in their schools. Working in close collaboration with the COE in each county, Region 1 can assess the needs of a priority district, offer training and coaching to assist leadership, and provide on-site support to schools that are designated Program Improvement (PI).
Regional Demographics
Region 1 is a large geographic region along the northern California coast. Five counties comprise the region: Del Norte, Humboldt, Lake, Mendocino, and Sonoma. The rural geography and typically small- district configuration are unique to the state. To combat the isolation typical of rural areas, the RSDSS emphasize collaboration and communication amongst all regional service providers to the districts. The North Coast Regional Partnership is an active organization throughout Region 1 whose projects are directed toward districts and schools in PI.
Context of Work
Region 1 provides the following services:
- Technical Assistance - The RSDSS staff can provide personalized assistance in explaining the meaning of PI status and how to exit PI.
The RSDSS staff often provides an overview presentation of PI to the Board of Trustees for PI districts. We also offer countywide trainings at the start of the school year to help explain the state and federal requirements to the district and its schools.
- Needs Assessment - Many identified schools and districts do not know where to start. The RSDSS staff can lead the organization in a self-study process that can highlight the strengths and challenges. Using the state-developed tools, such as the District Assistance Survey, Academic Program Survey, English Learner Subgroup Self Assessment, and other tools, the RSDSS staff can help identify areas that the district can address to improve student achievement.
- Planning - The process of writing a plan that will actually be implemented is a daunting task. The RSDSS staff has resources and examples of effective plans to share with districts and schools. We can also provide tips on how to ensure that plans are implemented.
- Curricular and Instructional Resources - With the vast expertise of the North Coast Regional Partnership, the RSDSS staff can either provide expertise or refer districts to the content experts who will implement staff development and training needed for improvement. Examples of training include thinking maps, partnership with the California Reading and Literature Project in providing access to training on English language acquisition; seminars on professional learning communities; certified training in data-driven decision making; and more.
The unique rural needs of Region 1 are the driving force in all planning and allocation of resources. Through close collaboration with the COEs and all other regional service providers, RSDSS staff can marshal resources for PI to the districts and schools of Region 1.
Contact Information
Region 1 offers technical assistance and support to districts receiving Title I funds through a variety of venues. The Region 1 office is located at the Lake COE, 1152 S. Main Street, Lakeport, CA 95453. Contact Tim Gill, Director, by phone at 707-262-4152 or by e-mail at tgill@lake.k12.ca.us. To obtain a complete listing of current and future technical assistance activities, visit the Region 1 RSDSS Web site
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