NYKids Advisory Board Meets to Discuss State of Education: COMPASS Tool and Guide Made Available to Support School Improvement
We are grateful to the members of our NYKids Advisory Board who gathered on December 8th for our annual meeting. Their dedication to supporting NYKids in providing relevant research and improvement resources for educators across New York State is invaluable. During this year’s meeting, board members engaged in robust discussions about critical issues facing schools today—from regional planning initiatives to the growing interest in community school models to address the myriad needs facing children and youth in our state.
One theme emerged clearly from our conversations: educators are facing mounting pressures to do more with the same or fewer resources. In this environment, it’s essential that school leaders, teachers, and support staff have access to research-based tools and strategies that help them work smarter, address challenges effectively, and demonstrate tangible return on investment for how resources are used.
Sharing the NYKids COMPASS Tool and Guide
With this in mind, we’re excited to announce that the NYKids COMPASS Tool and COMPASS Quick Start Guide are now available on the NYKids website!
The COMPASS-AIM process—Compare, Assess, Select Levers to Improvement, Set Goals, Action Plan, Initiate Plan, Measure Outcomes—provides a structured, evidence-based framework for continuous school improvement. This isn’t just another planning document. It’s a practical roadmap that helps school teams systematically identify challenges, leverage proven strategies from NYKids research, and measure their progress along the way.
What Makes the COMPASS Process Different?
Team-Based Approach: COMPASS brings together principals, teachers, and support staff to collaborate on improvement efforts. The guide recommends regular 30-minute meetings every two weeks, making continuous improvement manageable within existing schedules.
Evidence-Based Strategies: The tool is grounded in NYKids’ extensive cross-case research on positive-outlier schools. Teams don’t have to reinvent the wheel—they can draw on proven practices that have worked in schools across New York State.
Measurable Progress: COMPASS emphasizes data-driven decision-making and continuous measurement. This allows schools to demonstrate their impact and adjust strategies as needed—crucial for accountability and showing return on investment.
Accessible Support: NYKids is committed to supporting schools using the COMPASS tool. We offer clarification on the process, technical assistance with improvement planning and data analysis, and additional resources to help teams succeed.
Getting Started
The Quick Start Guide walks teams through five straightforward steps: identifying team members, picking a facilitator, sharing materials, engaging with the tool, and keeping the continuous improvement process rolling. Whether you’re part of an existing leadership team or forming a new improvement group, COMPASS provides the structure and resources to move your school forward.
At a time when educators must maximize every resource, tools like COMPASS offer a pathway to measurable improvement and what a great way to start 2026 on the right foot!
We invite school leaders and staff across New York to explore this resource and reach out to NYKids for support. We can provide webinars, workshops, and one-on-one coaching in person or virtually to help you use the COMPASS tool as well as our Performance Tracker!
Visit the NYKids website today to download the COMPASS Tool and Quick Start Guide, and let’s work together to support New York’s children and youth. Reach out to us at nykids@albany.edu for assistance or with questions – and subscribe to our newsletter for more updates on our research!
