CDE Advisory List of Providers

CDE's 2023-2024 School & District Support Advisory List of Providers

Overview

CDE has concluded its 2023-2024 RFI review, and the providers who were successful in that process are now included on our Advisory List. Schools and districts with low-performing schools are encouraged to consider the providers on the list across the six categories below:

District-level supports

• District-level Strategic Planning (holistic or targeted at one or more key district systems)
• District Improvement Implementation Support
• District Managers

School-level supports

• School Holistic Diagnostic Reviews and Improvement Planning
• School Improvement Implementation Support
• School Managers

Note: School Turnaround Leadership Development (STLD) program providers have the option of applying under District Improvement Implementation Support, School Improvement Implementation Support or both in order to become a qualified STLD provider. Additional information about this program and currently identified providers can be found here.

Review and Approval Process

CDE reviewed all application materials using our published rubrics and a “body of evidence” approach that included review of application forms and narrative, authentic work samples, evidence of prior impact, and references. Based on this review, all approved providers met CDE’s quality criteria and provided concrete evidence of their ability to improve outcomes for students in low-performing schools. In addition, some providers met the quality standards at the highest level. These providers are noted as “approved with distinction”.

Approved providers also had the opportunity to participate in an optional and supplemental process to identify up to three field-validated expertise areas. Expertise areas were field-validated using feedback from educators and partners who work directly with each participating provider.  The field-validated expertise areas include: ELA Rigor and Instruction; Math Instruction; English Learner/Multilingual Learner Models; High School Design and Evidence-Based Improvement Strategies; Rural School Improvement; SEL, School Culture and Climate; Special Education Models and Effective Service Design; Whole School Redesign; Strategies for Closing Opportunity Gaps; Strategies for Improving Quality and Rigor of Instruction; and Talent Management and Strategic Staffing Structures. Providers noted with “exceptional expertise” are those that the field indicated exceptional knowledge and impact in the respective expertise area.

Click here to access the full Advisory List, including links to each provider's RFI submission.

Resources for District RFP Processes

CDE recommends that districts at least consider using a Request for Proposal (RFP) process when hiring an external partner. The following RFP Template is provided as an example only. Districts should consult their legal counsel and procurement policies before releasing an RFP. In addition, CDE is providing a provider contact list that districts are encouraged to use to publicize district RFPs for school improvement services.

• Click here to access the RFP template

Contacts

If you have questions about the Advisory List or RFI process, please contact Lindsay Cox, School Transformation Grant Manager.

If you need this information in an alternate format, please contact Nate Goss, Accountability Project Manager.

Advisory List of Providers

CDE found that the following respondents sufficiently addressed all questions listed in the RFI and provided concrete evidence of their ability to improve outcomes for students in low-performing schools.

• Click here to access more information about the School Turnaround Leadership Development providers
• Click here to view the Provider "Get to Know Us" Video Gallery

Note: Participation in the field-validated expertise area process was optional for providers. This information serves only as supplemental information to the RFI process and should not be treated as a comprehensive list of the expertises of approved providers.