What is the California Institute for School Improvement?

The California Institute for School Improvement (CISI) is designed to help local education leaders get the information they need, help them save time, share good ideas, and link state educational policy to the day-to-day work of schools.

Information

“In the past, CISI helped me save $25,000 for my district. More recently, they have been invaluable on a waiver request to help us free up $500,000 for the purchase of foreign language textbooks in with our instructional materials program.”
– Cindy Galbo, Senior Director, Curriculum and Staff Development, Pleasanton USD

CISI is organized to provide the best information - current and accurate – on state education policies from a curriculum and instruction perspective.  CISI members receive electronic updates, discounted workshops, a yearly resource book in the fall, and when they call for more information, a real person answers the phone and they get a return call.

Implications

CISI helps translate state policies into terms that are useful at the local level. What must I do? What can I do? What are the timelines? What is the funding?  How does it fit into the larger picture?

“CISI is a great resource. I am thrilled at the value we get for our membership.”
– Don Russell, Assistant Superintendent, Sonoma County Office of Education

“The information I received at the Fall workshop on supplemental hourly funding was invaluable. It helped me maximize funding and plan for the future with long term implications in mind.”
– Carolyn Post, Assistant Superintendent, N. Monterey County Unified School District

Help

CISI members receive up to four hours of consultation by phone to clarify issues or explore options. CISI staff are experienced, have done the work, and provide accurate answers in a timely manner.

“I have been to two workshops on this (AB 825) and nobody was able to explain several key points, but you did.”
– Barbara Lee, Director of Curriculum, Alameda Unified School District