Impact Stories
How do we know we’re making an impact? The CCNetwork’s Impact Stories illustrate the results of our work by celebrating ingenuity and collaboration and highlighting moments that sparked change in education. Written by National Comprehensive Center and Regional Comprehensive Center staff, these stories detail key strategies, important lessons, and promising solutions emerging from the CCNetwork's work with SEAs and LEAs across the country. We also share success stories of CCSSO members here as well to elevate additional examples of ways states and jurisdictions are making an impact in education. Filter by topic, Center, or state/jurisdiction to gain new ideas and to cheer for the great work happening in your area.
Featured Impact Stories
National Center Forms Communities of Practice to Tackle Education’s Biggest Post-Pandemic Challenges
The National Comprehensive Center brought together state education agency teams to function as Communities of Practice to focus on critical educational issues related to equity, out-of-school time programming, and use of American Rescue Plan funds.
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Indiana’s GYO Program Addresses All-Time High Teacher Shortage
With 96% of districts reporting a shortage of educators, the Indiana Department of Education established a Grow Your Own program by recruiting high school students interested in the profession. A pilot helped state leaders identify and overcome challenges, paving the way for statewide expansion. The state looked to the Region 8 Comprehensive Center to coach department staff on effective recruitment and retention strategies and deliver mentor training to 60 teachers working with participants.
Guam’s Social-Emotional Learning Program for PreK Students Inspires a Ripple Effect
The Region 18 Comprehensive Center (R18CC) partnered with the Guam Department of Education to institute a pre-kindergarten program focused on social-emotional learning. So far, the technical assistance being provided by R18CC has benefited students, teachers, the community, and curriculum.
West Virginia Boosts Teacher Numbers with Fast Track to Teaching
Like many states across the nation, West Virginia had to identify ways to increase their teacher pipeline to meet both short and long-term staffing needs. A collaboration between the Region 5 Comprehensive Center, West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission, and the West Virginia Department of Education has resulted in the implementation of the “Educator Preparation Taskforce.” One successful first step of that work has been the addition of teacher candidates from their high schools through their “Grow Your Own Pathway” program.
New Foundation for Multilingualism Gives a “Voice” to Every Student in Hawaii
The World Languages Program in Hawaii is helping districts and schools improve language learning, promote biliteracy, and improve outcomes for all students. With the support of Region 19 Comprehensive Center, the World Languages Program has supported the implementation of the Hawaii Department of Education’s revised multilingualism policy by aligning its new language standards to national ones, developing a resource guide and professional development plan, hosting a summit to introduce statewide educators to the new multilingualism framework, and building a coalition with other state programs to generate support for the initiative.
Evaluation System for RMI Educators Leads to School Improvement
The Republic of Marshall Islands Public School System’s (RMI) Educator Effectiveness System includes improved processes for licensing procedures, standards, and evaluation processes designed to grow and support effective educators. The new system, created through support by the Region 19 Comprehensive Center and the RMI, has been touted by RMI leaders and educators as an adaptable evaluation system focused on results and evaluation tools better suited to the daily work of teachers and schools leaders.
Grant Offers Flexibility for Maine Districts, Sparking Innovation
Districts in Maine had the opportunity to creatively meet their ongoing educational challenges through the Rethinking Responsive Education Ventures grant but needed help to do it strategically. With the support of the Region 1 Comprehensive Center, the Maine Department of Education has established the necessary infrastructure to implement the grant, developed resources to support districts in successfully applying for grant funds, and designed and facilitated professional development support for innovation coaches charged with supporting district implementation.
New and Improved System Ensures Every Mississippi School Has Effective Teachers
The Mississippi Department of Education (MDE) had a goal for every school to have effective teachers and leaders. Through partnership with the Region 7 Comprehensive Center, MDE was able to increase trainers for the Professional Growth System from two to twelve and put systems in place to improve decisionmaking, strategic planning, and communication for future work.
Revised Teaching Standards Support Modern Needs in California Schools
The California Department of Education was able to successfully embark on the complicated process of updating their California Standards for the Teaching Profession through the support of the Region 15 Comprehensive Center. The complex process yielded updated standards that reflect the most current research, center equity, and are designed for effective implementation.
Integration Guide Proves to be Necessary Kindling, Sparking Curricula Use in South Dakota
South Dakota’s Oceti Sakowin Essential Understandings and Standards (OSEUS) were approved by the State Board of Education five years ago. However, many teachers were left on their own to figure out how to incorporate these important lessons across their curricula. Beginning in 2020, the Region 11 Comprehensive Center partnered with the South Dakota Department of Education (SDDOE) and the South Dakota Department of Tribal Relations, Office of Indian Education (SD DTR-OIE) to help address this challenge.
North Carolina Engineers STEM Opportunities for Its Youngest Learners
Educators in 16 North Carolina school districts are implementing high-quality STEM education programs to K–5 students thanks to a partnership between the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction and the Region 6 Comprehensive Center. The project is focused on creating capacity at both the state and district levels to ensure their initial success can be scaled and sustained.
