The goals of the SIG have been pursued through the following stages of activity:

Stage I. Readiness – Initial project activities were planned to provide the foundation for schools and communities to be aware of evidence (research)-based practices that support quality education under the National mandates of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and "No Child Left Behind". These activities included formalization of the Statewide Partnership process and workgroups, assessments of training and information needs, formulations of working relationships and the collection of "effective practice" information.

Stage II. Implementation – Focus upon the identification of research-based practices in the schools, which meet the needs of students with disabilities and those who are falling through the cracks. These activities included development of the SSC certificate training program, development of a process for generating and disseminating "Effective Practice Briefs", establishing evaluation procedures (process and outcome), and the Summer 2000 Principal's Institute focusing on the foundation of CSSS and infrastructure for CSSS in schools.

Stage III. Institutionalization and Sustainability – Includes sustaining practices that have been identified in schools as working ("What's Working Practices"). These activities include using a "critical friend's approach" to providing supports such as: 1) facilitating the growth and refinement of teaming practices and student strength-based planning; 2) providing professional development opportunities which enhance capacity building around research-based practices; 3) collaborating with partners in educational reform and improvement; and 4) documenting and evaluating practices that work.

Stage IV. Evaluation and Scaling Up – Includes sharing practices that work across schools in Hawaii and evaluating their effectiveness. The purpose of this set of activities is to assist the growth of research-based practices by supporting learning communities and the use of coaching and mentoring as a tool for professional development. These activities include 1) developing materials that showcase practices working in Hawaii, such as videos and training guides; 2) sponsoring forums for creating dialogue on topics to improve our educational system; and 3) sponsoring Capacity Building Institutes to foster the growth of practices that work to improve outcomes for all students including those with a disability.