a. Perform a comprehensive examination and system analysis of the current Sheff system to identify strengths and weaknesses, and areas of potential reformulation, innovation, reconfiguration, and elimination. The examination should include the following: • examination of historical and current data provided by CSDE to identify trends, challenges, efficiencies, and opportunities within the Sheff system, including projections of future demographics, demand for school choice options, funding considerations, and enrollment patterns; • analysis of historical, current, and projected transportation expenditures, including consideration of administrative costs, busing services, and prior transportation studies procured by the CSDE, to evaluate cost-efficiency and identify areas for potential savings, improvements, and efficiencies; • assessment of student attrition from Sheff Voluntary Interdistrict Programs to include a consideration of previous studies and reports procured by the CSDE; • analysis of demographic trends of student enrollment in Sheff Voluntary Interdistrict Programs and the Sheff Region, including consideration of race, ethnicity and socioeconomic status, student mobility, housing insecurity, and students with high needs; • assessment of the educational opportunities offered among Sheff Voluntary Interdistrict Programs, based on available theme-based programming, grade levels offered and location of each school, and enrollment patterns associated with each, including demographic analyses and Sheff compliance considerations; • evaluation of the perceptions, values, educational interests, and beliefs held by families in the Hartford Region regarding Sheff schools, programs, and educational themes, gathered through surveys and focus groups conducted by the successful proposer; • assessment of historical and current funding models for Sheff Voluntary Interdistrict Programs and the impact of such funding on academic programming, extracurricular offerings, student performance, staff retention, attendance, school climate, and other school factors; • assessment of the barriers and challenges faced by magnet school operators and Open Choice districts, gathered through surveys and focus groups; • assessment of student and family experiences in Interdistrict Magnet Schools and the Open Choice Program, gathered through existing data, surveys and focus groups; • assessment of existing Sheff Voluntary Interdistrict Programs through quantitative and qualitative analyses of various school factors as compared to national standards and Connecticut local school districts in the Greater Hartford Region to include consideration of extracurriculars, athletics, facilities, academic programming, course offerings, dual enrollment, advanced class options, student performance, student attendance, teacher retention, school climate, educator diversity and other relevant school-based factors; • review of any additional reports or studies provided by CSDE; and • review and analysis of additional quantitative and qualitative data and factors as appropriate in support of the comprehensive examination and system analysis of the current Sheff system.
