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This page lists all the key documents and resources available to support districts in preparing for a district review. Please note that ODRM currently partners with the American Institutes for Research (AIR) to conduct district reviews. Some of the materials listed below were created in collaboration with or by AIR.
The District Standards and Indicators is DESE's definition of effective district systems, structures, and policies, and the foundation of all district reviews. The document includes six standards (Leadership and Governance, Curriculum and Instruction, Assessment, Human Resources and Professional Development, Student Support, and Financial and Asset Management). Each standard consists of three or more indicators and specific "look-fors" related to each indicator.
The Preparation and Onsite phases of the review are typically the most labor intensive for districts. Ahead of the district review, the district liaison and/or superintendent is responsible for collecting documents, notifying stakeholders, and scheduling review activities.
Orientation Materials (link coming soon): These slides were presented during the district review orientations.
CLASS Training Materials (link coming soon): These slides were presented during the CLASS training.
Document Upload Checklist : This Excel sheet includes the full list of documents districts must submit as part of the district review.
Document Upload Instructions: For instructions on uploading documents to SharePoint, see Appendix A of the District Review Handbook .
Curriculum Table : Use this Excel sheet to list all of the curricula used across your district in each grade and subject area.
Assessment Inventory : Use this Excel sheet to list all of the assessments given to student across your district in each grade and subject area.
District Self-Assessment (optional): This document enables district leaders to evaluate their own systems, policies, and practices for their alignment to the District Standards and Indicators.
Pre-Review Communications Kit (optional): This toolkit includes templates that district leaders can use to share information with key constituencies involved in the review. Use of the following documents is optional and at the discretion of the district.
Community Letter (link coming soon): This template includes draft language that can be shared with families and the district community to notify them of the upcoming review.
Focus Group Invitations (link coming soon): This document contains draft language that districts can use and modify to recruit focus group participants and/or share additional information about the topics covered.
The following resources are designed to support districts through the Drafting and Publication and Post-Review phases of the district review process. During these phases of the review, the district is responsible for both correcting factual errors in the draft report and planning for implementation of the report's recommendations.
Factual Correction Guidance : ODRM provides drafts of its reports to superintendents to allow the district the opportunity to make factual corrections to the information in the report. This document includes guidance on completing the factual correction process and submitting corrections to ODRM.
Post-Review Action Kit : This is a suite of resources designed to support district leaders in reviewing, internalizing, and disseminating the findings of their district's recent review. Use of the included resources is optional but strongly encouraged. ODRM advises that all districts complete the Post-Review Reflection Guide and then determine which of the other templates will be useful to them.
Post-Review Reflection Guide : This worksheet guides the district leadership team through the process of reading the report, interpreting findings, and planning for implementation.
Community Letter Template : This letter can be sent out to staff, families, and the community to let stakeholders know that the district review has concluded and that the district leadership team plans to review its contents in-depth and share next steps once they have been determined.
Presentation Template : This PowerPoint is designed to aid district leaders in sharing the findings of the district review. The audience for this presentation will vary by district, but may include the school committee, school leaders, and/or teachers and other school staff.
Press Release Template : This template helps districts share review findings with local press outlets.
Best Practices Summary
Each year, ODRM releases a report summarizing some of the strengths, areas for growth, and recommendations included in district review reports. This fulfills DESE's statutory requirement to disseminate a report on best practices identified in each district review cycle (M.G.L. ch.15 §55A).
Last Updated: July 11, 2025