A recommended process with detailed protocols and tools for defining problems and determining their root causes in schools¶

Theory · All theories
Evidence · 2 claims (2 for) · 2 studies (1 causal, 1 design), q1–q2 · 0 of 2 report an effect size · 2 claims rest on one study

Description¶

The paper proposes a process, protocols and tools for school teams to define problems to be investigated and determine their root causes, drawing on facilitation experience in schools and industrial settings plus research from within and outside education. As printed, "this paper provides a recommend process, and detailed protocols and tools for defining problems to be investigated and determining their root causes." The process is intended to make staff and administrative efforts more focused and more likely to improve results.

Design Implications¶

Context¶

Requirements¶

• A school team facilitated through the process, with facilitation, protocols and tools selected to fit the school

Constraints¶

• The process differentiates facilitation, protocols and tools based on the school's existing organizational culture and its past performance results

Target Learners¶

• school staff and administrators conducting school improvement planning

Target Learning Objectives¶

• improving student achievement by addressing root causes of school performance issues

Claims¶

• Sips Address Symptoms Not Causes [+W]
• Most schools laid CI groundwork (72 percent root cause analysis), but fewer than two-thirds tied change ideas to their theory of practice improvement, and equity attention centered on achievement rather than access, identity, or agency [+W]

Related Theories¶

Examples¶

• Differentiate root-cause facilitation, protocols and tools according to the school's organizational culture and past performance results

Key Sources¶

• Andrew Hegedus. (2010). Finding root causes effectively: A powerful way to improve schools. NWEA Research white paper. https://www.nwea.org/research/publication/finding-root-causes-effectively-a-powerful-way-to-improve-schools/