About CISI

The California Institute for School Improvement (CISI) is a non-profit organization established in 1983 by educators and education policy leaders who had served in or with the administration of State Superintendent of Public Instruction Wilson Riles. CISI initially focused on the school site reform efforts that had been championed by Superintendent Riles. Over the years CISI has shifted its primary focus to that of providing support for school district and county office of education instructional leaders. CISI’s shift recognizes the vital role played by strong school district and county office leaders who are focused on instructional improvement.

CISI seeks to help district and county leaders:

• Focus on issues that matter or require attention. Other issues may be interesting, but CISI helps local leaders stay focused on the critical issues and provide the information they need.
• Provide an integrated analysis across funding, instruction, and political perspectives. CISI takes great pride that district superintendents, business officials and human resources leaders also find our updates timely and accurate.
• Respect the time constraints faced by school leaders. Our workshops and e-Bulletins are concise. If a member calls or emails, we respond.
• Share an impartial and very knowledgeable perspective on policy developments in Sacramento as they apply to the real work of school districts and county offices of education.

The CISI Board of Directors consists of local education leaders, including superintendents, assistant superintendents, and categorical program directors, among others. The Executive Director, Peter Birdsall, is a former Chief of Staff for the Program Branch in the California Department of Education and was also Director of Governmental Affairs for the Department. Currently, he also serves as Executive Director of the California County Superintendents Educational Services Association (CCSESA). The Board and the Executive Director jointly determine before the spring and fall workshops the key topics to be covered and regularly review the e-Bulletins to make sure they are “on target” to meet local leadership needs.