Diagnosis Phase

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Iowa Support for
Schools and Districts 
in Need of Assistance (SINA & DINA)
Diagnosis Phase
Steps of Diagnosis

Date

Step

1)  Current Reality: 

·         Review the audit. 

·         Review student achievement data.

·         Request additional data as needed.

·         Organize and analyze multiple sources/points of data for deeper understanding.

·         Request additional data as needed.

·         Document prioritized areas from the audit and the refined current reality on the Diagnosis Worksheet,

·         Tools:  Diagnosis Worksheet, Questions for Areas of Concern/Red Flags, Item Analysis Summary for ITBS/ITED, Performance Profile Analysis, Questioning Your Data , Westlake Middle School Audit Profile, Guidance for Reviewing Building Profile – Westlake Middle School, Diagnosis Worksheet for Westlake Middle School, Grade 6 Math Data, Grade 7 Math Data, Grade 8 Math Data

2)  Desired State:

·         Consult expert content specialist(s).

·         Review research .          

·         Develop the picture of your desired state.

·         Document the desired state on the Diagnosis Worksheet.

·         Tools: Structured Response Sheet, Content Network Tool for Reviewing Research, Content Network Review Article - Math, Diagnosis Worksheet of Westlake Middle School

Diagnosis: Diagnosis Worksheets

3)  Gap Analysis:

·         Summarize the Current Reality .

·         Summarize the Desired State.

·         Identify deficits or the gap between desired state and current reality.

·         Identify themes and patterns across deficit areas/gaps, using guiding questions.

·         Document the gap analysis on the Diagnosis Worksheet.

·         Tools:  Diagnosis Worksheet for Westlake Middle School, Gap Identification Worksheet, Forced Field Analysis, Planning Template, Fishbone Graphic Organizer (Current Reality and Desired State), Diagnosis Worksheet

4)  Root Causes:

·         Given what you identified in your gap analysis, determine the critical cause/effect relationships from your prioritized areas.

·         Document the root cause(s) on the Diagnosis Worksheet.

·         Tools:  Diagnostic Tree, Pareto Diagram, Cause and Effect Diagram, Relations Diagram, Five Whys – Iowa Evaluator Approval Training Program (adapted), Diagnosis Worksheet

5)  Solutions:

·         Identify possible solutions correlated to root causes - if the solution is related to instruction or professional development, it must be research based.

·         Prioritize based on research (e.g. greatest impact on student achievement,  response to intervention).

·         Document the solution(s) on the Diagnosis Worksheet .

·         Tools:  Nominal Group Technique, Diagnosis Worksheet

Diagnosis: Diagnosis Worksheets

6)  Theory of Change/If… Then Statements:    

·         Based on prioritized solution(s), complete a theory of change and/or write “if…then” statement(s).

·         The Theory of change results in specific actions to achieve the goal(s).  “If…then” statements may either result in student achievement goal statements or action plan steps toward a student achievement goal. 

·         Document theory of change and/or “if…then” statements on the Diagnosis Worksheet.

Tools:  Theory of Change Activity,  If . . . Then Worksheet, ORID Questioning PowerPoint – Iowa Evaluator Approval Training Program (adapted), Diagnosis Worksheet, Complete Diagnosis Worksheet for Westlake Middle School


PowerPoints:

Tools and Resources:

planning for the evaluation within the action planning and the action plan itself.



   Other Tools and Resources:

  • The Art of Focused Conversations for Schools, Jo Nelson, ISBN 0-86571-435-5
  • Cedar Rapids Community School District:  Quality Tools; this site provides how-to information, tips, and templates for using Quality Tools. 
  • Cognitive Coaching - A Foundation for Renaissance Schools, Arthur L. Costa and Robert J. Garmston, ISBN0-926842-37-4  
  • Crucial Conversations – Tools for Talking When Stakes Are High; Kerry Patterson, Joseph Grenny, Ron McMillan, and Al Switzler, © 2002. 
  • Data Analysis for Continuous School Improvement, Victoria L. Bernhardt, © 2004.
  • Fierce Conversations – Achieving Success at Work & in Life, One Conversation at a Time, Susan Scott, © 2004.
  • Generate Questions to Ask of Data - Iowa Professional Development Model Training Manual, Part 4, Tools & Resources, pp 13-18 
  • The Handbook for SMART School Teams, Anne Conzemius and Jan O’Neill, © 2002.
  • ITBS/ITED Item Analysis Summary - Iowa Professional Development Model Training Manual, Part 4 - Tools & Resources, pp 29-33   
  • National School Reform Faculty; this site provides resources to support development of collegial relationships, reflective practices, and rethinking of leadership to restructure schools - all in support of increased student achievement.
  • Root Cause Analysis - School Leader's Guide to Using Data to Dissolve Problems, Paul G. Preuss, ISBN 1-930556-53-5 
  • School Leader’s Guide to Root Cause Analysis Using Data to Dissolve Problems, Paul. G. Preuss, © 2003.  
  • The Three-Minute Classroom Walk-Through – Participant’s Manual;  Carolyn J. Downey, Betty E. Steffy, Fenwick W. English, Larry E. Frase, and William K. Poston, Jr.; © 2004. 
  • Tool Belt - Data-Driven Decision-Making Tools for Educators - NCREL
  • Using Data to Improve Student Learning in Elementary Schools, Victoria L. Bernhardt, © 2003.
  • Using Data to Improve Student Learning in High Schools, Victoria L. Bernhardt, © 2005.
  • Using Data to Improve Student Learning in Middle Schools, Victoria L. Bernhardt, © 2004.

This page was revised on July 13,2010.