What we do

ECE Audits – Special Education, Compliance, and Best Practice

The ECE Audit provides an objective look at schools ECE operations and programming and compare those operations and programming to what people have planned for the school, to what they think is happening at the school, and to what the review team observe going on in the school.

The resulting composite picture is then compared to what is considered best practice for students at a particular level, and a report is generated that identifies the congruence or lack of congruence between what is planned, what people think is happening, what the team sees, and what the artifacts indicate.

The report identifies areas that are strengths or growth areas when the data is compared to best practice. The report identifies suggested priorities and provides a menu of next steps that can help the target school develop a more intentional school improvement plan and establish priority ad hoc plans to address specific areas within the report that the school believes need attention.

An ECE audit is a specific study of one aspect of school operation (i.e., special education compliance and best practice) by a set of observers from outside the school – observers who have been trained to collect, organize, and interpret a variety of data streams, analyze the information, and make recommendations for the district and/or the specific school. ​

Opportunities for Growth

It is important that the faculty and leadership understand that the purpose of the ECE Audit is not to evaluate teachers or school leaders. The purpose is to look for opportunities for growth in areas where there is a perceived lack of congruence between school activity and best practice or in areas that the team believes represent a school strength that should be nurtured to provide a basis for school improvement.  Our process includes:

  • Anonymous electronic surveys for teachers, school administrators, district leaders, and more
  • Classroom observations so that every ECE classroom (co-teach, resource, and highly-structured) is observed. Observers do not interfere with daily classroom operation
  • Focus group sessions for teachers and staff to share both perceptions about the current climate as well as opportunities for growth
  • Parent feedback opportunities with optional focus group sessions

Who Does the ECE Audit

The ECE Audit team includes a senior Educational Directions staff design and analysis team, a facilitator to ensure the activities of the team are conducted efficiently and effectively, a team captain who maintains quality control on the different processes and conducts the interviews of leadership staff and other targeted groups, and classroom observers who visit classrooms and observe teachers and students from the time students arrive on campus until they leave.

Educational Directions will provide an electronic, anonymous survey that will be used by the senior team to check role group perceptions of school strengths and needs. Depending on the purpose and focus of the ECE Audit, a data specialist, program specialist, or instructional specialist may be added to the team.

Want to discuss an ECE Audit for your school or district?

A Leader’s Guide to Intensive School Improvement (Part 1 of 2): Common Challenges of Leading Change

Leadership in schools is about more than maintaining the status quo. It’s about envisioning a brighter future and taking bold, proactive steps to create meaningful change. However, when it comes to navigating changes necessary for improvement, leaders often face resistance, uncertainty, and unexpected challenges. Effective school leadership during times of change requires a balance of empathy, strategy, and resilience. Whether implementing new

Read More »

Creating an Inclusive Learning Environment in Schools: A Guide for Principals

Inclusive and welcoming learning environments are not just ideals—they are fundamental responsibilities for school leaders. The role of a principal extends far beyond ensuring that hallways are quiet, class transitions go smoothly,  or lesson plans are complete. At its core, it’s about fostering an environment where every student, regardless of background or circumstance, has the tools, opportunities, and support needed to succeed.

Read More »

Are Your Students Ready for State Testing?

State testing is a pivotal moment in the academic calendar, and ensuring students are fully prepared is essential. Readiness goes beyond understanding the material; it encompasses cognitive, emotional, and logistical factors that can significantly impact performance. Here’s how teachers, school administrators, and education professionals can assess and enhance student readiness for state testing while addressing common challenges. Key Criteria for Assessing Readiness

Read More »