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NC DPI »   Districts & Schools »   Districts & Schools Support »   District and Regional Support »   Diagnostic Services

Diagnostic Services

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.

Post-CNA Training Resources and Professional Development

Comprehensive Needs Assessment (CNA)

  • Content about CNAs (as written on the website currently)
  • Replace current documents with updated versions (attached in the email)
    • School Rubric
    • School Self Evaluation Form (SEF)
    • District Rubric
    • District Self Evaluation Form (SEF)
    • CNA Notes of Guidance

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, Diagnostic Services Lead at 984-236-2021 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

  • Diagnostic Services
  • Low Performing School and District Plans
  • School Reform Models
  • School Improvement Planning and NC Star

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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

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https://www.dpi.nc.gov/districts-schools/districts-schools-support/district-and-regional-support/diagnostic-services