Differentiated Assistance (DA) is a unique service offered by county offices of education to local educational agencies (LEA) eligible for additional support in addressing gaps in student performance, as shown on the . DA helps schools and districts identify and address the underlying causes that led to its eligibility for assistance. It also enhances their ability to evaluate and improve the effectiveness of their strategies and programs.
The County Office of Education's Systems for District Improvement department offers support and guidance to LEAs by building strong relationships and promoting equitable access to resources for students and families in San Mateo County. Our customizable service framework allows educators to tailor our support to their unique needs.
Framework of Support in San Mateo County
The Systems for District Improvement department provides a flexible service framework that districts can customize to fit their unique needs.
Option One
Support for districts eligible for DA that successfully implement their own cycle of continuous improvement.
- Monthly check-in meetings
- Differentiated assistance-related workshops
Option Two
Support for districts eligible for DA implementing their own cycle of continuous improvement and need external support.
- Monthly check-in meetings
- Differentiated assistance-related workshops
- Support with components of Continuous Improvement Cycle
Option Three
Support for districts eligible for DA that need guidance through a complete cycle of continuous improvement (Recommended for LEAs with new DA eligibilities)
- Monthly check-in meetings
- Differentiated assistance-related workshops
- Support with complete Continuous Improvement Cycle
51勛圖 the California Statewide System of Support
At its heart, is focused on improving the outcomes of California’s students. It's purpose, according to California Education Code , is to build LEAs' capacity in:
- supporting the continuous improvement of student performance in eight priority areas
- Address gaps in achievement between student groups
- Improve outreach and collaboration with partners to ensure reflect the needs of students and the community
Three Levels of Support
The primary goal of California’s System of Support is to help LEAs and their schools meet the needs of every student. The system focuses on building local capacity to sustain improvement and effectively address disparities in opportunities and outcomes. There are three levels of support:
Level 1: Universal
State and local agencies provide an array of support resources, tools, and technical assistance to all LEAs. These resources aim to improve student performance and reduce disparities among student groups while recognizing success and promising practices.
Level 2: Targeted (Differentiated Assistance)
County superintendents, charter authorizers, the California Department of Education, and the California Collaborative for Educational Excellence (CCEE) provide differentiated assistance for eligible LEAs to address identified performance issues, including significant disparities in performance among student groups.
Level 3: Intensive
The State Superintendent of Public Instruction may require more intensive interventions for LEAs with persistent performance issues and a lack of improvement over a four-year period.
Joy Dardenelle
Executive Director, Systems for District Improvement
Email: jdardenelle@smcoe.org
Phone: (650) 802-5315
Carrie Blanton
Coordinator, District Improvement and Support
Email: cblanton@smcoe.org
Phone: (650) 802-5337