Category: Evergreen Solutions

Evergreen was engaged with Akron Public Schools (APS) to conduct a Human Resources Department Review/Audit and an Administrative Salary Study. Evergreen’s consultants conducted the following tasks: reviewed Human Resources Department staff and processes to determine appropriate staffing levels and provide recommendations and strategies for the development of new and/or revised processes, programs and practices; recommended elimination and/or outsourcing of processes, programs or practices as deemed appropriate; and reviewed Principal and Central Office Administrator Salary Schedules and provided recommendations as to whether revisions needed to be made to the salary schedule and/or whether another type of salary system should be developed, i.e., merit pay system.

Evergreen Solutions is a subcontractor to the American Institutes for Research (AIR) to conduct a five-year evaluation of the Common Core Technology Project for the Los Angeles Unified School District. The purpose of this evaluation is to describe the organizational structure and lines of communication and decision making among participating committees and departments, and how that structure supports planning, implementation, and continuous improvement. Evergreen’s primary responsibility will be to conduct focus groups and interviews district administrators and central office staff responsible for leading and/or supporting CCTP implementation and representatives of major vendors and stakeholder groups. Evergreen will also interview members of CCTP planning committees who are not district-level staff.

During each stage of the initiative, Evergreen will collect key documents describing the organizational structure of district leadership. This will include organizational charts, memos, notes from public and private meetings of key committees, and external communications that are provided to schools and to the broader public, particularly those documents that outline the goals of the initiative and the expectations for piloting and implementation. In the later stages of the evaluation, evergreen will work with the evaluation team will determine whether the documents have been revised or updated. AIR and Evergreen will collaborate on identifying what to collect and on developing a coding framework. Evergreen will collect, review and code the documents, then summarize findings and integrate with findings from interviews.

Evergreen will work with AIR each year to develop Interim and Formative Evaluation Reports as well as the Annual Report at the conclusion of year of the evaluation which will involve a review of previous findings to depict how the project has changed over the course of the various stages of the evaluation.

Evergreen Solutions was hired by Broward County Schools to conduct an External Independent Review of Services for its Exceptional Student Education (ESE) Department to determine program effectiveness in supporting positive outcomes for students receiving special education.

Specifically, Evergreen reviewed the efficiency and effectiveness of the: district and school staffing alignment, roles and responsibilities; district support to schools; support services for students with disabilities; special education related services (i.e. speech, occupational therapy, physical therapy and transportation); district and school-based communication to all stakeholders (families, schools, community and district); district and school-based professional development for administration, teachers and support staff; district and school-based parent training, parent engagement activities and development of parent partnerships; district and school-based community engagement activities and development of community partnerships; Child Find Process/timeliness, screening and evaluation process for children birth to five; referral, evaluation and staffing process for ESE eligibility which included intervention activities and the RTI process; Individualized Education Plan (IEP) process for students PreK-12 which included the use of EASYIEP™, training on quality IEPs, compliance requirements and the development of IEPs; transition/matriculation activities from PreK to Elementary, Elementary to Middle, Middle to High and High to Post Secondary; instructional technology needs included technology integration and training; inclusionary practices which included District and school-based implementation and professional development activities; student goals to ensure a relationship to the present level of performance; and student transition goals and services to ensure a relationship to post school outcomes.

Upon completion of the audit, Evergreen submitted findings to the Superintendent of Schools.

Evergreen Solutions was hired by Horry County Schools to provide consulting services for Facility Department processes in the areas of capital improvement, custodial, and maintenance.

In the area of capital improvement, Evergreen consultant’s assisted in developing standard processes and procedures for the construction, installation, and/or assembly of capital projects including, new assets, or the alteration, expansion, or extension of an existing asset to accommodate a change of function or unmet programmatic needs. Evergreen worked with Horry County Schools to establish an annual schedule for the review of sustainment projects so that the Board and community would know what was planned.

In the area of custodial, Evergreen’s consultants developed an improved management system for work activities performed on a recurring basis throughout the year for the purpose of meeting routine, daily operational needs. Work activities included the daily work of cleaning and recurring maintenance performed by custodians, grounds workers, and general maintenance crews.

In the area of maintenance, Evergreen’s consultant’s developed an improved management system for work activities performed on either an unscheduled or a scheduled basis to resolve current maintenance deficiencies. These work activities included corrective, preventive and predictive maintenance for buildings, structures, as well as installed building equipment (113E) in accordance with manufacturer and industry standards.

In the end, Evergreen trained all staff on new standards, guidebook and processes with fully functional District leadership and provided assistance in developing future staff development and training opportunities.

Evergreen was selected by the Montana Office of Public Instruction (OPI) to evaluate the state’s K-20 Data Project. The K-20 Data Project connected existing OPI databases to databases owned and operated by the Montana University System (MUS). OPI designed data reports and dashboards to assist stakeholders in assessing college readiness of Montana K-12 students. Specifically, the K-20 database enabled stakeholders to retrospectively assess the success of college students in the MUS and correlated that success (or failure) to that student’s K-12 experience. This effort represented an step for both the OPI and MUS, as little if any data was available linking K-12 and post-secondary outcomes.

Evergreen’s role as the program evaluator was to collect initial input from stakeholders on K-20 dashboards and reports and track implementation of the K-20 data project; assess the effectiveness of training modules and training tools for the entire K-20 Data Project (which included not only the reports and dashboards, but data transport and an electronic transcript); assess the ease of use of the system for end-users; develop a tool to measure whether end-users found the data useful; provide additional data in the system; utilize and apply the data and reports effectively in regards to their information needs and goals; and provide ongoing and annual reports to the OPI on progress and feedback on the K-20 data project.

Evergreen Solutions was hired by Pinellas County Schools to conduct an evaluation of Pinellas County Schools’ Teacher Incentive Fund – Cohort 3 (TIF3) Grant Program for Years 3 through 5. Evergreen evaluated the implementation and success of the TIF3 program from the perspective of four middle schools within the district. Evergreen conducted a variety of data collection activities including surveys, interviews, focus groups, and walk-throughs, as appropriate, to evaluate and report on Year 3, 4, and 5 performance.

Evergreen’s evaluation of TIF3 objectives and underlying performance measures relied on baseline data collected by the district in Year 1 and 2, as well as new data collected as a result of Evergreen’s evaluation activities. On-site data collection activities were conducted throughout the duration of the project performance period, and the first onsite kick-off meeting with district TI3F leaders was conducted in June 2013. Year 3 evaluation results formed a comprehensive baseline for evaluation of future TIF3 performance periods.

The evaluation resulted in both findings as they related to TIF3 objectives and underlying performance measures set forth by the district as well as findings and recommendations related to program administration and implementation.

Evergreen Solutions was selected by Orange County Public Schools to conduct a comprehensive program evaluation of its Exceptional Student Education (ESE) Program to determine program effectiveness in supporting positive outcomes for students receiving special education and gifted services. The program evaluation identified areas of strength and areas for improvement in the organization and delivery of services.

As part of the evaluation, Evergreen conducted an analysis of the characteristics of the School Board of Orange County (SBOC) Exceptional Student Education population and their outcomes and an analysis of program effectiveness in specific task areas to include: The Continuum of Services including regular class supports of consultation, support facilitation and co-teaching, resource room, separate classrooms, center school sites and separate day schools.

Upon completion of the evaluation, Evergreen provided a final report to the SBOC with information and guidance that can enhance the district’s efforts in the continuous improvement to expand learning and other positive outcomes for special education and gifted students.

Evergreen was selected by Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools (CHCCS) to conduct an Employment Study for all 800 classified employees. The intent of the study was to identify opportunities for making improvements, adjustments, and corrections in the district’s operations (i.e., job structures, staffing levels and pay scales), as well as allow CHCCS to remain competitive in retaining and attracting talent for classified positions.

Classified employees participated in focus groups, interviews, and a job analysis to determine the best classifications for the work performed. In addition, staffing levels and pay ranges were analyzed in the public and private sector to determine the appropriate pay levels for included jobs. Evergreen developed recommendations and guidelines for the continued administration and maintenance of the classification and compensation structure, including recommendations and guidelines related to: how classified employees will move through the pay structure/system as a result of transfers, promotions, or demotions; how to pay employees whose base pay had reached the maximum of their pay range or value of their position; the proper mix of pay; how often to adjust pay scales and survey the market; the timing of implementation; and how to keep the system fair and competitive over time. Evergreen will also provide the necessary training and materials to the appropriate CHCCS staff so that an understanding of the methodology and how to implement, administer, and maintain the recommended total compensation system can be accomplished.

Evergreen Solutions was selected by the Toledo Board of Education to conduct a Performance Audit of District Operations in Toledo Public Schools. The 90-day Performance Audit included a comprehensive review of central office management; human resources and personnel management; curriculum and instruction; facilities use and management; financial management; transportation; food services; technology; and safety and security. The Evergreen team conducted two extended visits to the district to evaluate operations, including a diagnostic review to gather preliminary data and information on the district, as well as a secondary visit to conduct an in-depth review of each operation.

Evergreen used a number of tools and techniques to conduct the study and to gather information from all stakeholders. In addition to site visits consisting of interviews and focus groups, Evergreen surveyed central office administrators, principals, and teachers. Further, Toledo Public Schools was benchmarked against several peer school districts to assess service delivery, efficiency, and effectiveness. Evergreen paired the results of these activities with a review of operations against industry best practice for each operation to make recommendations on improvements in Toledo Public Schools.

The study concluded with a detailed report on findings and resulting recommendations; each of which detailed implementation steps for the district. Resulting findings and recommendations aligned with the existing mission, strategies, and goals of the district.

Evergreen Solutions was selected by the Florida Department of Education to evaluate the state’s $700 million Race to the Top (RTTT) grant program, including all 50 state-level RTTT projects. The national Race to the Top grant program was announced in 2009 as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Race to the Top aimed to raise student achievement by focusing all initiatives on eight specific national reform criteria, including:

1. Supporting the transition to enhanced standards and high-quality assessments

2. Accessing and using state data

3. Using data to improve instruction

4. Improving teacher and principal effectiveness based on performance

5. Ensuring equitable distribution of effective teachers and principals

6. Improving the effectiveness of teacher and principal preparation programs

7. Providing effective support to teachers and principals

8. Turning around the lowest-achieving schools

In late 2010, the United States Department of Education announced that Florida, along with ten other states, would be the recipient of Race to the Top grant funds. The Florida Department of Education executed the state’s Race to the Top grant program through a series of 14 local education agency (LEA) projects and 50 state-level projects, which each fell under one of the eight national reform criteria. In Florida, 62 school districts participated in the state’s Race to the Top grant program. Evergreen Solutions worked with state leaders to implement a comprehensive evaluation plan of Florida’s Race to the Top program to measure success of the 50 state-level projects as well as the state’s oversight and support of the 14 LEA projects.

In August 2011, prior to being selected as the state’s Race to the Top grant evaluator, Evergreen was selected to design the evaluation work plan for Florida’s Race to the Top program. The evaluation work plan included specific yet adaptive evaluation tasks that ensured all 50 state-level projects were conducted efficiently and effectively, and with fidelity to the state’s original scope of work. Evergreen’s work plan for the evaluation of Florida’s Race to the Top program included 17 work tasks, 139 task activities, and 87 unique deliverables. These activities included data collection and analysis, interviews, focus groups, surveys, and onsite visits as well as formative evaluation activities was conducted throughout the remaining three years of the grant program and summative evaluation tasks were completed at the end of the state’s four year Race to the Top grant program. Grant evaluation teams were organized around each of the eight national reform criteria and to ensure that success was measured and reported for all of the 50 state-level projects.

Following finalization of the Race to the Top evaluation work plan, Evergreen Solutions was selected in November 2011 by the Florida Department of Education to lead implementation of the Race to the Top evaluation work plan. Evergreen’s selected team of evaluators includes 19 subject matter experts who will work closely with the Florida Department of Education’s Race to the Top project team to evaluate grant activity. Evergreen’s comprehensive information and data system will be used for reporting and data collection during the evaluation. Evergreen Solution’s evaluation of Race to the Top will conclude in June 2014 with a comprehensive report on Florida’s success in implementing the Race to the Top program.