Click to the view the REACh Initiative Presentation (streaming video)

Children come to our schools with diverse backgrounds and needs. As student diversity increases, so does the challenge schools face to be responsive to all students. A review of the research on system change in education suggests that successful efforts to improve student outcomes must address two primary considerations:

• First, educators must have a clear, unified vision for addressing the needs of students that can be translated into specific instructional program strategies.
   
• Second, successful initiatives must use system change principles if they are to result in long-term institutionalized reform.

The Responsive Education for All Children (REACh) Initiative is designed to promote effective system change in schools. All elements of the REACh Initiative support implementation of a framework for enhancing the success of all students – particularly those experiencing repeated school failures. The REACh framework components focus on collaborative problem solving using data-based decision making to implement evidence-based programs at all levels in a school system.

The REACh Initiative, funded through an Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) grant awarded to Wisconsin’s Department of Public Instruction, includes:

• A REACh Technical Assistance Center to develop tools and processes supporting the 10 school improvement components which make up the REACh framework. The Technical Assistance Center also trains expert mentors to guide schools through the implementation of the framework.
• Four REACh regional centers to provide training and technical assistance supporting the REACh framework and tools throughout the state.
• Competitive district grants to a limited number of high needs schools to support REACh framework implementation.

A diverse leadership advisory team provides regular feedback on the activities of the REACh Initiative and an annual external evaluation. All REACh activities include meaningful parent and family involvement. Through the statewide REACh Initiative, schools implementing the REACh Framework have access to training, resources, and technical assistance support.

The REACh Initiative will support the efforts of the Department to address:

• New Wisconsin Promise
• Wisconsin State Performance Plan for Special Education Indicators #1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, & 9
• Special Education Continuous Improvement and Focused Monitoring System (CIFMS) Priorities
• NCLB