Schedule a Consultation

Independent Program Reviews for Districts Ready to See Clearly

Clarity. Confidence. A plan you can act on.

DECS Program Review Services provide district leaders with a clear, evidence-based view of what’s working, what’s not, and how to move forward with a practical, fundable action plan that restores confidence across your teams and community.

Request a Consultation

Helping You See the System Behind the Work

Districts reach out to DECS when:

  • The board is asking for proof of improvement, and everyone’s giving different answers.
  • Spending on special education keeps rising, but outcomes stay flat.
  • Paraeducator costs are ballooning, and it’s unclear if supports are being used strategically.
  • Parents are filing complaints, and compliance feels reactive instead of proactive.
  • MTSS exists in theory, but Tier 1 and Tier 2 supports aren’t strong enough.
  • Staff are burning out under unclear roles, disconnected initiatives, or audit pressure.

What Program Review Services Include

We don’t deliver binders that collect dust. We provide clarity, priorities, and a clear path from findings to action. Each engagement includes a combination of the following modules customized to your district’s needs:

Special Education Program Review

Special Education Program Review

We examine your entire continuum (compliance, service delivery, instructional practices, and parent communication) to identify misalignments and opportunities for impact.

Paraeducator Utilization Review

Paraeducator Utilization Review

We analyze how paraeducators are deployed, how IEPs define support, and how roles align with students' actual needs. The result: improved inclusion practices, better staff retention, and measurable fiscal savings.

Funding & Reimbursement Audit

Funding & Reimbursement Audit

We uncover unclaimed or misused funding sources —from Medicaid to safety net to braided IDEA funds —and create a compliant roadmap to maximize reimbursements.

MTSS & Inclusionary Practices Review

MTSS & Inclusionary Practices Review

We assess the strength of your Tier 1–3 supports, analyze data flow, and identify where supports can be rebalanced to reduce overreliance on special education and 1:1 paras.
Request a Consultation

What Districts Gain

When you’re ready to stop guessing and start building with clarity, we’ll show you the map.

Board-Ready Findings

Written in plain language, not legalese.

12–24 Month Action Plan

With short-term wins and long-term priorities.

Funding Map

Showing how to pay for improvements.

Staff Alignment

Because everyone understands the “why” behind decisions.

Restored Confidence

Among leaders, teachers, and families.

Transparent, Collaborative, Grounded in Practice

Our proven, collaborative approach turns data into action. Each step is designed to build clarity, confidence, and sustainable results for your team.

Step 1

Collaborative Design

We co-create review questions with district leaders to align focus and scope.

Step 2

Data & Document Analysis

We review budgets, staffing, schedules, IEPs, and service documentation to identify patterns and inefficiencies.

Step 3

Stakeholder Listening

We meet with staff, families, and administrators to understand lived experiences, ensuring the review reflects reality rather than assumptions.

Step 4

Action Plan & Funding Strategy

You’ll receive a prioritized roadmap — urgent vs. important — with clear steps and identified funding sources.

Step 5

Follow-Up Coaching (Optional)

We stay available to help implement the plan, provide leadership coaching, or monitor progress over time.

Proven Results

It wasn’t a gotcha audit; it was a roadmap. For the first time, our board and staff were on the same page.

  • Assistant Superintendent, Washington State

Paraeducator Audit

Uncovered $2.5M in staffing inefficiencies — reallocated to fund new inclusion coaches.

Medicaid Review

Identified $200K in missed reimbursements in one quarter.

System Alignment

Six due-process filings were withdrawn after DECS restructured its communication and documentation systems.

MTSS Reinforcement

Schools reduced Tier 3 referrals by 18% through stronger Tier 1 interventions.

Why Districts Choose DECS

  • We’ve led from the inside. Our team includes former directors, CFOs, and state-level reviewers who know the realities of your world.
  • We connect the dots. Instruction, compliance, and funding are analyzed together, never in silos.
  • We protect your people. Our process builds trust and morale, not fear or blame.
  • We turn complexity into action. Every recommendation is realistic, fundable, and sustainable.

Who Program Reviews Are For

We work with teams eager to move beyond quick fixes and build systems that truly empower staff and students alike.

Best Fit:

  • Districts under corrective action or anticipating one.
  • Leaders preparing for board or state reporting.
  • Systems struggling with paraeducator costs or inclusion consistency.
  • Teams seeking alignment between general and special education.

Not Ideal For:

  • Districts seeking a one-hour PD or cursory compliance check.
  • Teams not ready to act on the findings.

FAQs

Clarity and Confidence in Every Step

No. Our approach is collaborative. Findings are framed constructively to build trust, not blame.

Typically 6–8 weeks, depending on scope and district size

Yes. DECS offers coaching, monitoring, and fractional leadership support after the review.

We provide board- and community-ready summaries that protect sensitive data while maintaining transparency.

Minimal. We handle the heavy lifting (data collection, analysis, and interviews) with minimal disruption.

We Partner for Sustainable Change

See Your System Clearly

Clarity leads to confidence, and confidence rebuilds trust.
Let’s uncover what’s working, what’s not, and design a plan your entire system can rally around.

Schedule a Consultation
Build a Custom Recovery Plan