Skip to main content
NC DPI logo NC DPI

Topical Navigation

  • Home
  • Educators
    Educators
    • Educator Preparation
    • Educator Recognition Programs
    • Educator's Licensure
    • Home Base
    • National Board Certification
    • Professional Development
    • Specialized Instructional Support
    • Recruitment & Support
    • TeachNC
    • Troops to Teachers
    • Work for NC Schools
  • Students & Families
    Students & Families
    • Enhanced Opportunities
    • Innovative School Options
    • Parent's Corner
    • Student Support
  • Districts & Schools
    Districts & Schools
    • Charter Schools
    • Classroom Resources
    • Connecting Communities of Education Stakeholders Conference
    • District Operations
    • Districts & Schools Support
    • Funding Opportunities
    • High School Graduation Requirements
    • Testing and School Accountability
    • Recognitions
    • Federal Program Monitoring
  • Data & Reports
    Data & Reports
    • Dropout and Discipline Data
    • Common Education Data Analysis and Reporting System (CEDARS)
    • Data Reporting and Program Monitoring
    • North Carolina School Finances
    • School Report Cards
    • Demographics and Finances
    • School Accountability, Reporting, and Educator Performance
  • News
    News
    • Calendar
    • COVID-19 Response & Resources
    • FAST NC
    • K-12 Education Legislation and Reports
    • Press Releases
    • Public Notices
    • Superintendent's Quarterly, Reports and Legal Documents
  • About DPI
    About DPI
    • Contact Us
    • Education Directory
    • Human Resources Division
    • Internal Audit & Advisory Services
    • State Board of Education
    • State Superintendent of Public Instruction
    • Technology Services
  • NC SUPERINTENDENT
  • STATE BOARD
  • NC.GOV
NC DPI »  
Districts & Schools
»  
Districts & Schools Support
»  
District and Regional Support
»  
Comprehensive Needs Assessment

Comprehensive Needs Assessment

The Comprehensive Needs Assessment (CNA) provides a framework which:

  • provides districts and schools with a clear view of their strengths, areas for improvement, challenges, and successes;
  • enables a systematic review of practices, processes, and systems within a school district;
  • assists district and school leadership in determining needs, examining their nature and causes, and setting priorities for future action;
  • guides the development of a meaningful district or school plan and suggests benchmarks for evaluation; and
  • most importantly, it is a corner stone of continuous improvement, ensuring the best possible outcomes for all students.

The rubrics and materials that underpin the third party Comprehensive Needs Assessment may be used by any school to strengthen the School Improvement Planning process. The following six dimensions are evaluated during the Comprehensive Needs Assessment Process.

The graphic above consists of a large blue rectangle with white text labeling in each of the four corners. The rectangle is bisected by a large thin white-bordered oval stretching from left to right. Starting with the upper left corner and continuing in clockwise fashion the individual corners are labeled Leadership Capacity, Professional Capacity, Family and Community Support, and Planning and Operational Effectiveness. The oval in the center of the large rectangle includes white text titled Instructional Excellence & Alignment: and includes Part 1: Teaching and Learning and Part II: Support for Student Achievement.

Orientation Resources Before a CNA

Schools that are identified to participate in a Comprehensive Needs Assessment (CNA) receive an overview of the entire CNA process during an orientation conducted by an Instructional Review Coach (IRC). After the CNA, District and Regional Support staff provides training for schools centered on the Comprehensive Needs Assessment report.

Find all Orientation materials to prepare for the CNA on the CNA Orientation for School Leaders Canvas hub.

Training Resources After a CNA & Professional Development

The Assessment and Family and Community Engagement Support Team is committed to carrying out quality Comprehensive Needs Assessments (CNAs) and helping schools identify and develop programs to assist and support family and community engagement. Through customized support, we build the capacity of schools, families, and communities to enhance and support student academic achievement.

We offer professional development centered on Unpacking the CNA, cultural responsiveness, identifying and developing school culture, and effective family, community, and school partnerships. 

Contact Information

For more information about the CNA process or training, please contact Susan Silver, Instructional Review Coach Team Lead at 919-807-3956 or susan.silver@dpi.nc.gov.

Files

cna_notesofguidance_revised_2017.pdf

cna notesofguidance revised 2017

PDF • 2.92 MB - June 14, 2019

cna_schoolrubric_10nog.pdf

cna schoolrubric 10nog

PDF • 395.33 KB - June 14, 2019

sef-school_revised_2018_.pdf

sef school revised 2018

PDF • 270.12 KB - June 14, 2019

cna_districtrubric_11nog.pdf

cna districtrubric 11nog

PDF • 404.45 KB - June 14, 2019

District and Regional Support

  • Comprehensive Needs Assessment
  • Integrated Academic & Behavior Systems
  • Low Performing School and District Plans
  • Regional Support Structure
  • School Reform Models
  • School Improvement Planning and NC Star

Share this page:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter

How can we make this page better for you?

Back to top

Contact Us

Physical Address:
North Carolina Department of Public Instruction
301 N. Wilmington Street
Raleigh, NC 27601-2825
 
Mailing Address:
6301 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-6301 

Phone: 984-236-2100

Work for Us

Work for NC Schools

Job Opportunities at DPI

For State Employees

Login to DPI Inside

Follow Us

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • YouTube
  • Pinterest
  • This Site (RSS)
  • Education Directory
  • Translation Disclaimer
  • Accessibility
  • TERMS OF USE
  • PRIVACY
  • OPEN BUDGET
NC DPI
https://www.dpi.nc.gov/districts-schools/districts-schools-support/district-and-regional-support/comprehensive-needs-assessment