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)o 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

o 6 Whys• Summarize Findings• Make Decisions• Goal Planning

SMART GOALS (CDE, 15)

• Specific• Measurable• Attainable• Realistic• Timely

Comprehensive Plan

• 2 essential Steps (CDE, 15)o Measurable Goalso 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)