Colorado Department of Education

A Guide For a Comprehensive Needs Assessment

Southwest Comprehensive Center of West Ed.

Needs Assessment

● “An attempt to assess or measure a perceived or actual need by collecting data to document a challenge that exists (CDE, 1)”.

● No Child Left Behind mandates schools provide a description of need for programs. Title III (English Language Learners) (CDE, 2)

Needs Assessments (CDE, 3)

● Provides Direction for Programs

● Determines Priorities

● Creates Cohesion of Goals and Desired Outcomes

● Enables Benchmarking and Monitoring of Implementation

● Assists with Continuous Improvement Activities

Focus, Team & Goals

● Focus on factors that can impact the achievement of Students (CDe, 4)

○ Test Scores, drop out/Graduation Rates, attendance

● A Formal Planning team is critical (CDe, 4)

● After Data Analysis, Goals need to be identified with Action Plans (CDE, 5)

Data Analysis (CDE, 13-14)

● Prioritize Needs

● Identify Root Causes

○ 6 Whys

● Summarize Findings

● Make Decisions

● Goal Planning

SMART GOALS (CDE, 15)

● Specific

● Measurable

● Attainable

● Realistic

● Timely

Comprehensive Plan

● 2 essential Steps (CDE, 15)

○ Measurable Goals

○ Strategies to Meet the Goals

● Success is More Likely when district improvement strategies are in alignment with district strategies (CDE, 15)

Sources

Colorado Department of Education. A Guide for Comprehensive Needs Assessment: Southwest Comprehensive Center of West Ed.

Questions

● After reading the article, how would a comprehensive needs assessment be beneficial to addressing the needs of ELLs in your current district/university?

● The article discussed SMART Goals in association with a comprehensive needs assessment. On a smaller scale, with an English Language Learner in mind, develop a SMART Goal for their Language acquisition. What are some suggestions to helping this individual meet this goal? (professional development, curricular/instructional suggestions, technology, family and community supports)