Dr. Deneen Guss, County Superintendent of Schools
Continuous Improvement Processes
At the Monterey County Office of Education (MCOE), Continuous Improvement (CI) is a collaborative process designed to drive meaningful and lasting change in schools and districts. MCOE’s CI coaches support teams with research-based methodologies that strengthen instructional practices and improve student outcomes.
The process begins with forming an improvement team of teachers, administrators, TOSAs, specialists, and community partners. Through focused inquiry, the team conducts a root cause analysis to identify a shared problem of practice. Together, they develop a theory of action, design a change idea, and test it using Plan-Do-Study-Act cycles. Implementation is reinforced through personalized, on-site coaching that provides ongoing support. This cycle of inquiry, action, and reflection enables schools to address performance challenges while fostering sustainable growth.
As part of California’s Statewide System of Support, MCOE applies CI methodologies to assist districts identified for Differentiated Assistance. In alignment with California Education Code Section 52095.5(b), this work builds the capacity of Local Educational Agencies (LEAs) to continuously improve student performance, close achievement gaps among student groups, and strengthen collaboration with families and community partners.
