School and system improvement
What continuous school and system improvement means
Continuous school and system improvement (CSSI) is a positive, data-informed way to improve teaching, learning and leadership. It focuses on student outcomes, not on the plan or the activities completed.
How it works
- Step 1: Develop a shared vision of student success.
- Step 2: Analyse data to set goals that move you towards the vision.
- Step 3: Secure resources and carry out actions to meet the goals.
- Step 4: Measure the progress you make.
- Step 5: Adjust your plans based on what you find.
How it differs from traditional improvement planning
| Area | Traditional planning | CSSI |
|---|---|---|
| Data | Mainly exam scores, used to find achievement gaps | Many kinds of data: assessment, demographic, attendance and surveys |
| Vision | Narrow, focused on academic achievement | Shared and holistic: learning, achievement, development and well-being |
| Plans | Long, with many goals, focused on remediation | Short and clear, with a few priorities, focused on better teaching and learning |
| Professional development | Workshops when test scores are low | Practical, job-embedded: coaching, mentoring and learning with colleagues |
| Community | Limited, mainly fundraising | Two-way partnerships that involve parents and stakeholders |
| Monitoring | Periodic checks that activities were done | Ongoing use of data to measure progress towards the vision, and adjust |
CSSI is a way to make and sustain meaningful change in schools and classrooms.
Still not sure?
Find the right person in the Ministry staff directory. Have the details of your situation to hand.
Open the staff directory (opens on mes.gov.bb)The law and policy behind this
Both practice guidesSection 5 and Table 5.1 in both guides · draft of 27 May 2026
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