August 19, 2024
For a third consecutive 5-year cycle, the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) has selected WestEd to lead the National Center for Systemic Improvement (NCSI).
Created 10 years ago, NCSI provides technical assistance to 60 state education agencies (SEAs) across the nation’s states and territories, helping them build school and district capacity to improve outcomes for children and youth with disabilities and their families.
“The work of state education agencies is critical, and we are honored to have been entrusted with supporting them for an additional five years as leaders of the Center,” said Rorie Fitzpatrick, Director of NCSI and WestEd’s Vice President of K–12 Systems. “This opportunity allows us to continue building on the last decade of work, helping our partners achieve deep, lasting systems change for students receiving special education services.”
One of OSEP’s largest technical assistance investments, NCSI has demonstrated impact in increasing state capacity for evidence-based instructional practices and implementing the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), federal legislation that provides rights, services, and protections for children and youth with disabilities.
Over the past decade, NCSI has provided individualized intensive technical assistance to dozens of states, as well as cross-state assistance through the Center’s Learning Collaboratives. At present, NCSI engages
- 43 state agencies (72%) in the Evidence-Based Practice Learning Collaborative,
- 51 SEAs (85%) in the General Supervision Learning Collaborative, and
- 97%of state directors in the SEA Leadership Learning Collaborative.
“WestEd is deeply committed to enriching educational experiences, opportunities, and outcomes for children with disabilities,” said Jannelle Kubinec, Chief Executive Officer of WestEd. “The renewal of our stewardship over the National Center for Systemic Improvement is a testament to the impactful work our team has accomplished with state education agencies, and I’m thrilled that the U.S. Department of Education has reaffirmed their trust in our leadership.”
During the next 5-year cycle, the NCSI team will focus on supporting states to strengthen organizational and talent management and retention of state leaders and staff, improve their general supervision systems, and lead for effective instruction.
WestEd will maintain partnerships with American Institutes for Research to continue providing high-quality leadership for effective instruction; the National Association of State Directors of Special Education to work together in supporting the success and retention of state special education directors; and the Meadows Center for Preventing Educational Risk at the University of Texas at Austin as the external evaluator.
The new 5-year cycle of NCSI begins on October 1, 2024. Director Fitzpatrick and Deputy Director Michele Rovins, WestEd’s Director of Special Education Policy and Practice, will continue to lead the Center.
Visit the National Center for Systemic Improvement to learn more.
