The Management Practices Self-Assessment (MPSA) is a measurement instrument created to empower Michigan 21st CCLC Project Directors to be (a) reflective and intentional about organizational practices and culture; (b) quality improvement leaders at their sites; (c) engaged with youth, families, and their communities; and (d) well-informed about state-wide requirements and guidance. The MPSA provides a set of items for management best practices in 21st CCLC administrative and program settings. MPSA provides Project Directors with the opportunity to check-in with themselves and their team by identifying practices and policies that are well-documented and working well, or that could be updated or improved, and areas where they need additional assistance to reach their full potential.
Before completing the MPSA, consider several ways in which the measurement process and resulting data can be used:
- Planning for the upcoming year. Project Directors can use this tool to document practices and procedures that are already in place, to create or update protocols and policies, to schedule trainings throughout the year, and as part of the quality improvement planning process. For new Grantee Directors, the MPSA is an important support to start-up planning with staff and school personnel. The MPSA is also a good way to request assistance from the state and technical assistance (TA) providers.
- Reflecting on the past progress. When used at the beginning and at the end of the year, Project Directors can reflect on the progress they were able to make over the year and track issues that remain to be addressed. The MPSA also allows Project Directors to identify which practices or efforts were not effective and where additional TA or support would be helpful.
- Preserving institutional knowledge. Project Directors can use the MPSA to document the location of written policies, procedures, and practices in a single reference document. This allows Project Directors to explain practices to staff and program partners and supports smooth transitions from one Project Director to another.
Although the primary purpose of the MPSA is to facilitate Project Director self-reflection, a second purpose is to continuously improve 21st CCLC management skills and systems. Once a year, all Project Directors will be asked to provide the results of the MPSA to MDE by uploading a completed copy to the Grant Electronic Monitoring System (GEMS). The results will be analyzed and used to guide MDE in selecting trainings, conference sessions, and other professional development opportunities throughout the ensuing year. At no time will results be used by MDE for grantee assessment.
The MPSA is made up of 4 domains, 8 scales, and 25 items of management best practices in 21st CCLC program settings and should take no longer than 2 hours to complete. The MPSA requires the user to list the best practice; answer questions about implementation and the need for technical assistance; and provide evidence, documentation, and notes. For more detailed instruction, see the MPSA Protocol.
Note: These materials were developed under a grant awarded by the Michigan Department of Education.
Smith, Thoreson, Smith, Peck, Sipes (2020). Management Practices Self-Assessment (MPSA) for Project Directors in Michigan’s 21st Century Community Learning Centers. Michigan Department of Education and QTurn LLC.
