The Statewide System of Support (SSoS) Core Working Group Report: Recommendations presents a timely opportunity to strengthen how California supports school districts in improving teaching and learning. Convened by the California Collaborative for Educational Excellence (CCEE), the Working Group brought together state, county, and district leaders to reflect on what is working in the current system and to chart a clearer, more coherent path forward.

The report affirms that California’s Statewide System of Support is grounded in strong and enduring principles: a commitment to support rather than sanctions, responsiveness to local context, equity, and continuous improvement. Building on these strengths, the Working Group outlines how greater clarity, alignment, and shared responsibility can unlock the system’s full potential to better serve districts and, ultimately, students.

Through interviews with more than 40 education leaders and sustained collaborative inquiry, the Working Group identified opportunities to sharpen statewide goals, clarify roles across agencies, streamline identification and support processes, strengthen the quality and consistency of district assistance, and create clearer pathways for learning and escalation when additional support is needed. Central to the recommendations is the idea of reciprocal accountability—ensuring that every level of the system shares responsibility for creating the conditions that enable districts to succeed.

The six recommendations offer a practical roadmap for moving toward a more focused, coordinated, and learning-oriented system—one that reduces fragmentation, builds local capacity, and delivers the right support at the right time. Together, they set the stage for the next phase of work: translating a shared vision into actionable steps that advance equity, coherence, and improved outcomes for all California students

We are pleased to share the 2025 report with you.

If you have any questions or comments, or would like to discuss further, please contact Deputy Superintendent Mindy Fattig at [email protected].