Effective Schools Framework
A clear vision for what districts and schools across the state do to ensure an excellent education for all Texas students.
The Effective Schools Framework
The goal of the Effective Schools Framework (ESF) is to provide a clear vision for what districts and schools across the state do to ensure an excellent education for all Texas students. The framework, based on years of educational research of best practices, identifies 5 levers essential for successful school outcomes.
At the core of effective schools is effective instruction: interactions between students, teachers, and content determine learning outcomes. This instructional core is strengthened and supported by strategic staffing, high-quality instructional materials and assessments, and positive school culture. Strong school leadership and careful planning encompass and ensure each of these levers.
The School Improvement Theory of Action
The Effective Schools Framework is one of the five identified steps of the School Improvement Theory of Action. This cyclical process includes consistent assessment of current practices, prioritizing gaps in system/ practices, capacity building, and ongoing plan implementation support, around a common vision of the highest leverage practices.
Effective Schools Framework
The Effective Schools Framework builds a common language with clarity and specificity to codify the best practices that effective Texas schools engage in daily.
Learn more about the Effective Schools Framework.
Diagnostic
The ESF Diagnostic process assesses the current state of school practices in relation to the Effective Schools Framework. Schools that engage in the ESF Diagnostic are supported by a trained facilitator that guides the school to find their highest leverage actions.
Learn more about the ESF Diagnostic Process.
Targeted Improvement Plan
A targeted improvement plan is a structured system that allows campuses to build a year-long action plan. Campuses use targeted improvement plans to break down goals into short cycles and to analyze possible barriers to achieving the identified school improvement goals.
Learn more about Targeted Improvement Plans.
Capacity Builders
Capacity building is a key part of the school improvement process. Campuses can partner with Vetted Improvement Partners (VIPs) or Education Services Centers (ESCs) who offer services to help improve campus policies and procedures aligned to specific essential actions of the Effective Schools Framework.
Learn More about Capacity Builders
SI Support
Education Services Centers (ESCs) and the Texas Education Agency (TEA) offer ongoing and targeted support to aid campuses as they implement improvement plans and change management.
Learn more about SI Support.
The Purpose of the Effective Schools Framework
Common Language
- describes the statewide vision for the best practices effective schools and districts engage in daily
- was developed in conjunction with school and district leaders and included a national review of research about what makes high-performing schools excellent
Continuous Improvement
- supports school and district continuous improvement through an aligned diagnostic process
Alignment
- provides the foundation for the alignment of statewide resources and supports to the needs of Texas districts and schools
ESF Facilitators
The Effective Schools Framework Facilitator (ESFF) supports district and campus continuous improvement through the facilitation of the the ESF diagnostic process that results in the identification of prioritized practices the campus can focus on to support continuous improvement.
The ESF Facilitator collaborates with the campus principal and district leaders to lead a campus diagnostic process that results in the identification of prioritized practices the campus should focus on for improvement. The ESFF is responsible for executing high-quality, well-structured diagnostic activities, supporting campuses with a root cause and barrier analysis and identification of improvement strategies, and connecting districts with ESF aligned resources and partners.