System of Support

A NEW MODEL OF COLLABORATION

The California Department of Education has outlined a system of support that is a “central Component of the state’s accountability and continuous improvement system.” The system of support is designed to support Local Educaitonal Agencies (LEAs) meet the needs of every student. This is done through building capacity to sustain improvements and address inequities in opportunities and outcomes. The three tiers of support are:

General Assistance (Level 1) – resources and assistance that is made available to all LEAs
Differentiated Assistance (Level 2) – LEAs that meet certain eligibility criteria for additional support
Intensive Intervention (Level 3) – LEAs with persistent performance issues over a period of time

The County Office of Education different layers of support that include both universal and targeted supports by providing professional development, facilitating a continuous improvement cycle with districts and providing technical assistance and support. To Learn more about the system of support or review eligibility criteria please visit the California Department of Education website at System of Support - California School Dashboard and System of Support (CA Dept of Education).

Yolo County Office of Education System of Support

The Yolo County Office of Education (YCOE) System of Support is designed to partner with local educational agencies (LEAs) to strengthen systems, improve outcomes, and ensure every student has access to the opportunities, resources, and supports needed to thrive.

Grounded in a commitment to equity, continuous improvement, and collective responsibility, YCOE provides a coordinated continuum of support that meets LEAs where they are and builds capacity for sustainable change. Our approach combines data-informed practices, evidence-based strategies, collaboration, and ongoing reflection to support LEAs in addressing student needs and advancing positive outcomes.

The YCOE System of Support is organized around three levels of engagement: Universal Supports, Targeted Supports, and Intensive Supports. These supports are designed to provide the right level of partnership at the right time based on identified needs, local context, and opportunities for growth.

Universal Supports: Building Strong Foundations

Universal supports are available to all LEAs and focus on strengthening foundational systems, practices, and structures that benefit every student. Through professional learning, technical assistance, resources, and collaborative networks, YCOE supports LEAs in developing effective systems aligned to statewide priorities, including academic achievement, student wellness, equity, engagement, and college and career readiness.

Universal supports include opportunities such as:

Professional learning and leadership development
Data analysis and continuous improvement support
Resource sharing and communities of practice
Framework alignment and implementation support
State and federal program guidance

Targeted Supports: Strengthening Systems Through Partnership

Targeted supports provide additional assistance to LEAs that need focused support in specific areas based on identified needs, data, or improvement priorities. YCOE works collaboratively with LEA teams to understand root causes, identify effective strategies, and develop action plans that build internal capacity and improve outcomes.

Targeted supports may include:

Collaborative inquiry and needs assessments
Data reviews and improvement planning
Coaching and technical assistance
Implementation support for evidence-based practices
Connection to regional and statewide resources

Intensive Supports: Deep Partnership for System Transformation

For LEAs requiring more intensive assistance, YCOE provides individualized, sustained support focused on building systems that create meaningful and lasting improvement. These partnerships emphasize shared ownership, leadership development, and implementation of strategies that address the unique context and needs of each LEA.

Intensive supports may include:

Long-term improvement partnerships
Customized technical assistance
System reviews and root cause analysis
Implementation monitoring and continuous improvement cycles
Coordination of regional and statewide resources

Differentiated Assistance and Direct Technical Assistance

As part of California’s System of Support, YCOE provides differentiated levels of partnership to support LEAs in identifying challenges, strengthening systems, and improving outcomes for students.

Differentiated Assistance (DA)

Differentiated Assistance is a state-supported improvement process designed to provide targeted support to LEAs identified through the California School Dashboard based on specific student outcome indicators.

Through DA, YCOE partners with identified LEAs to:

Review and analyze data to identify areas of need
Engage in collaborative problem-solving and root cause analysis
Identify evidence-based strategies and improvement actions
Build LEA capacity to address inequities and improve student outcomes

The goal of Differentiated Assistance is not simply to address identified indicators, but to support LEAs in developing sustainable systems that lead to continuous improvement.

Direct Technical Assistance (DTA)

Direct Technical Assistance is a proactive partnership opportunity provided by YCOE to support LEAs with identified priorities, initiatives, or improvement efforts. Unlike Differentiated Assistance, DTA is not limited to state identification criteria and may be initiated based on LEA needs, shared priorities, or opportunities for system improvement.

Direct Technical Assistance may include support with:

Strategic planning and implementation
Program design and evaluation
Data inquiry and improvement planning
Leadership development
Alignment of initiatives and systems

DTA allows YCOE to serve as a thought partner and capacity builder, helping LEAs strengthen practices before challenges become systemic barriers.

Geographic Lead (Geo Lead) Differentiated Assistance

As a Geographic Lead for Differentiated Assistance, YCOE serves as a regional partner supporting LEAs beyond traditional county boundaries. Geo Lead DA extends the county office role by coordinating expertise, resources, and collaboration across multiple counties to support identified LEAs.

Through Geo Lead DA, YCOE:

Facilitates regional collaboration and shared learning
Connects LEAs with resources, expertise, and improvement partners
Supports consistent implementation of improvement strategies
Builds collective capacity across regions

This regional approach recognizes that meaningful improvement is strengthened through collaboration, shared expertise, and partnerships that extend beyond individual systems.

A Partnership Approach to Improvement

At YCOE, our System of Support is grounded in the belief that every LEA has strengths to build upon and opportunities for growth. Whether through universal learning opportunities, targeted assistance, differentiated assistance, direct technical assistance, or intensive partnerships, YCOE works alongside districts to strengthen systems, advance equity, and improve outcomes for every learner.

Together, we build the conditions where students, educators, families, and communities can thrive.