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School, district, and state education decision makers play a critical role in creating meaningful, lasting change within education systems. By working collaboratively and leveraging evidence-based strategies, the education community can drive improvements that promote positive outcomes for all students—especially when their efforts are supported by community-based partners. However, leading systemic change requires both strategic planning and practical tools to ensure that efforts are effective and sustainable.

This resource library is a collection of practical resources (e.g., guides, briefs, instruments, toolkits, information sheets, multimedia) to support decision makers in their PreK-12 education systems change endeavors. The included resources can help education decision makers assess needs, build collaborative partnerships, and implement data-driven interventions that respond to the unique opportunities and challenges within their communities. Whether an education system has newly identified an improvement effort or is refining ongoing efforts, the library offers adaptable resources that meet a variety of local contexts.

How to use the resource library

The library begins with an overview of its development process. It then defines and operationalizes the Child Trends Guiding Principles for Leading PreK-12 Education Systems Change that structure its organization. Next, it offers specialized resources created by Child Trends experts, alongside curated materials from partners, to help decision makers advance education systems change. The resources are organized by the guiding principles. The library concludes with a comprehensive glossary to help users navigate the collection with clarity and ease.

Key features of the resource library:
  • Flexible: Resources can be accessed in any order, based on specific needs.
  • Self-paced: Users can engage with the content at their own speed.
  • Adaptable: Resources are suitable for various state, district, and school contexts and improvement stages.
  • Organized: Each resource is aligned with one or more of the Guiding Principles. Resources are tagged by target audience(s), type(s), and topic(s). Please see “Glossary” tab for definitions of each tag.

In addition to the following examples of using the resource library, there are many other possible uses.

  • State education decision makers: A state education agency leader wants to improve the effectiveness of preschool programs across the state. This library provides tools for evaluating program quality, assessing access to services, and aligning policies with early learning standards. It also offers resources for engaging families and educators in continuous improvement efforts to ensure that all children enter kindergarten with a strong foundation for learning.
  • District decision makers: A district superintendent wants to address disparities in graduation rates among schools. The library offers resources for analyzing district-wide performance data, convening school leaders and community partners to codevelop strategies for school improvement, and implementing a data-driven action plan focused on sustainable outcomes.
  • School decision makers: A school principal wants to strengthen educator wellness and retention after noticing increased staff burnout. The library offers tools for conducting staff wellness surveys, facilitating collaborative discussions with teachers, and developing a professional learning plan focused on work-life balance, emotional health, and staff support systems.

This resource library from Child Trends showcases resources that support state, district, and school decision makers in their efforts to transform PreK-12 school systems to better meet the needs of students, families, and communities.

Notes: All authors contributed equally to developing and refining this toolkit.

Suggested citation

Holquist, S. E., Schanfield, M., Aceves, L., Cronkright, B., Guros, C., Jones, R. M., Scott, A., Ball, J., Angeles-Figueroa, J., Reyes, O., & Widstrand, J. (2025). Comprehensive resource library for leading PreK-12 education systems change. Child Trends. DOI: 10.56417/3271w5897y

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