District leaders are responsible for ensuring resources are aligned to student needs, yet many systems evolve over time in ways that make that alignment difficult to see, measure, and sustain. This session shares how Folsom Cordova Unified School District applied improvement science to redesign systems, realign resources, and advance equity at both the site and classroom level.

Through a practical case study, participants will learn how district leaders identified misaligned practices, analyzed data, engaged stakeholders, and implemented a continuous cycle of Adapt, Adopt, and Abandon to better align resources with student needs. Presenters will demonstrate how improvement science became a leadership framework for advancing equity, aligning priorities, building trust, and creating sustainable systems that improve student outcomes.

Attendees will leave with practical tools and lessons learned from a multi-year effort to align resource allocation, school improvement planning, and equity-focused strategies with measurable student outcomes.

Key Audience Takeaways:

1. Apply improvement science to evaluate systems, realign resources, and improve student outcomes.

2. Create transparent processes that connect district priorities, equity goals, school improvement efforts, and resource allocation.

3. Develop equity-centered structures that direct resources and services to the students and schools with the greatest needs.