School Improvement Leadership Academy Policy Briefs
SILA Brief #1: School Improvement Planning
This brief presents findings from the external evaluation of SILA conducted by Policy Studies Associates (PSA), focusing on how school leaders engaged with school improvement planning during their first year in the academy. SILA Fellows were asked to review their current school improvement plans (SIPs) using a rigorous, research-based rubric developed by UVA and WestEd. The results highlight key areas where improvement planning practices can be strengthened, including articulating a turnaround vision, clarifying timelines, and identifying necessary supports. The brief also presents Fellows’ reflections on the process and the ways in which engaging in structured self-assessment supported their growth as improvement leaders. This brief provides valuable insight into how leadership development initiatives can strengthen the use of SIPs as meaningful tools for school change.