School Support

Please check the below for answers to the most frequently asked questions. If you do not see your question, please refer to the contacts listed at the end of this page.


Will every school in the City be required to select a School Support Organization?   
All eligible schools must either renew their commitment to their current SSO or choose a new SSO by May 1, 2009. 

How will schools learn about their options and make a selection for school year 2009-10?
Information about all SSO options is available to principals and school communities on the Department of Education Website.  Most SSOs have also scheduled informational open house events that will give schools a chance to learn about their school support options. Schools must choose an SSO by May 1. Schools’ choices are subject to the approval of the Community District or High School Superintendent.

Will School Support Organizations be assigned to schools?      
No. In consultation with the School Leadership Team, each principal must either renew their relationship with their current SSO or choose a new SSO to best meet their school’s support needs. The DOE will make every effort to provide that choice.  Because PSOs may have capacity constraints, we will ask principals to list more than one choice, in rank order of preference, until they have listed an organization that does not have capacity constraints (ESO or an LSO).

How will schools choose a School Support Organization?          
Principals will first consider the unique characteristics and needs of their school, including their student population, teaching staff, and school community.  Principals will be able to analyze the School Support Organization options in consultation with their School Leadership Team.  By May 1, Principals will rank order their preference for SSOs.

Are there different prices for School Support Organizations?      
The costs of SSOs range from $26,500 to $60,000.  The difference between the least and most expensive is about $33,500.  We are targeting to share budget information with schools by mid-April and schools are given an allocation specifically to cover the SSO price.  Budgets, however, should not drive any school’s choice of SSO. Schools should assess support options based on their individual school’s needs.  

How can I learn more about school support options?     
Descriptive and data profiles for all School Support Organizations are available on the Department of Education website.  Many SSOs are also hosting events that provide an opportunity to learn more.  View a list of opportunities on the DOE Web site.

Can a principal choose not to have any support organization?
No.  All schools must choose an SSO, as they provide critical supports to schools as well as affiliation opportunities where best practices can be shared among affiliated schools.

Will parents and teachers be able to provide input in the SSO selection process?School Leadership Teams must be consulted as part of Principals’ SSO decision-making.

How will schools be matched with networks? 
Many SSOs organize schools into smaller networks.  Those SSOs each have a unique process for networking.  Principals will have the opportunity to express a network preference when selecting an SSO. For more information about the networking process in a particular SSO, contact the SSO directly.  The Division of School Support does not manage the networking process.

Can a school stay with their current SSO but switch networks?
Yes.  Schools may want to switch networks for a variety of reasons.  To facilitate this process, Principals will have the opportunity to express a network preference when selecting an SSO.  To learn more about this option, first consult with the specific SSO (rather than the Division of School Support) to learn more about their SSO networking process. 

What are the main responsibilities of the School Support Organizations?
School Support Organizations (SSOs) will support schools in a variety of ways. This support might include:

• helping schools to identify the best ways to help students achieve academically;
• identifying actions and practices that the schools can/should pursue in reaction to accountability and performance information about students; supporting schools as they implement those strategies;
• coaching principals on how to improve their schools’ performance;
• identifying promising practices in schools that could be useful in other schools
• sourcing outside expertise on any question related to curriculum, scheduling, or staffing, and facilitating networking among schools to share best practices;
• responding to individual school requests for help, either supporting directly or acting as a liaison to other organizations/individuals who can help; and
• serving as liaison to central DOE services.

How will Principals be held accountable by School Support Organizations?
The Chancellor and Superintendents hold principals accountable for student achievement as measured by the Progress Reports, School Quality Reviews, and Principal Performance Reviews.  Principals are also responsible for ensuring full compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local laws; state regulations; Chancellor’s Regulations; applicable collective bargaining agreements; and city-wide policies.  SSOs support principals in their work related to these measures, but SSO staff do not serve in a supervisory capacity.  All Principals will sign and be held to a Statement of Performance Terms that outlines terms for their students’ academic performance and progress.

What is the Children First Network (CFN)?
Children First Network (CFN) is an initiative designed to integrate operational and instructional support for schools. The goal is to expand the philosophy of devolving as much decision-making power as possible to the people who know schools best: principals, teachers and school staff. Each CFN network employs a 13-person, cross-functional team directly accountable to principals that delivers personalized service to an average of 25 schools. The ultimate goal is to streamline operations and build capacity within schools so school-based staff can focus their time on instruction and accelerate student achievement.

Do all SSOs have the CFN option?
All SSOs and networks were invited to express interest in adopting the CFN model.  Since the CFN initiative is driven by principal choice, principals currently in existing networks needed to decide as a group to pursue the CFN option.  The Division of School Support and leadership of the ISCs are working together to continue to improve services from the Integrated Service Centers. Within the ISCs, the ratio of staff to schools will remain the same.

When is the deadline for selecting an SSO?
By May 1, principals must either renew their commitment to their current SSO or choose a new SSO. Principals facing circumstances that prevent them from making a choice by May 1 should e-mail a request for an extension directly to the Chancellor and state the reasons.