named programs · 5 · from sources
What they call their work
Curriculum and Instruction Support
Provides expertise in curriculum development, literacy coaching, co-teaching, culturally responsive teaching, and standards-based grading
Leadership Coaching
Provides one-on-one coaching for new and experienced superintendents, principals, and district administrators to support effective leadership and smooth transitions
NY KIDS/COMPASS Training
Professional development program developed with University at Albany to help school teams improve student achievement through collaborative planning and data use
School Improvement Planning
Supports school and district teams in developing DCIP and SCEP plans, setting SMART goals, and implementing action plans using research-based tools
Special Education & Assistive Technology Services
Offers consultation, evaluation, and intervention in special education and assistive technology, including use of iPads and communication devices in educational settings
activities · 6 groups
What they do
-
Teacher Professional Development 3 activities
- Build educator capacity through professional development and mentorshipProvides sustained professional development, coaching, and mentorship to strengthen the capabilities of teachers and school leaders. Focuses on Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS), McKinney-Vento implementation, and emerging educator needs. Operates a Principals’ Center governed by regional school leaders.
- Design and deliver workshops integrating emerging educational practicesConducts professional development workshops that integrate AI, instructional technology, trauma-informed care, and restorative practices into teaching and learning frameworks. Offers free workshops for school leaders on translating research into actionable strategies.
- Provide instructional coaching and professional development for educatorsOffers instructional design coaching, needs assessments, and professional development to teachers and school teams to improve student engagement, academic growth, and alignment with Next Generation Standards. Works with grade-level units and content departments across elementary, middle, and high schools.
-
-
Educator Training in Equity and Inclusion 1 activity
- Deliver leadership coaching and development for school administratorsProvides equity-focused leadership coaching, mentoring, and organizational development support for principals, assistant principals, superintendents, and central office leaders. Includes one-on-one coaching, reflection on leadership practices, and structural reviews.
-
-
Educator Conferences & Professional Development Events 1 activity
- Facilitate professional learning communities and roundtables for education professionalsHosts and facilitates ongoing regional roundtables and collaborative forums for mental health providers, special education staff, speech and language therapists, IT professionals, athletic directors, school counselors, and music educators to share best practices and resources.
-
-
Program Evaluation and Impact Research 1 activity
- Produce research and evaluation services for educational improvementConducts program evaluations using data analysis, interviews, focus groups, and observation. Develops customized evaluation plans for districts and produces research briefs on equity issues by synthesizing fieldwork and peer-reviewed research for practitioner use.
-
-
Recognition and Awards Programs 1 activity
- Recognize outstanding students and educatorsAnnually recognizes a class of high-achieving students based on academics, community service, and leadership; each student selects an influential teacher for recognition. Also hosts events to honor school office professionals.
-
-
Uncategorized 1 activity
- Support curriculum and school improvement initiativesCollaborates with schools on curriculum development, particularly in social studies aligned with state frameworks, and contributes to school turnaround efforts such as the successful improvement of Albany High School. Provides technical assistance and data analysis to support district operations and efficiency.
-
financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$607K
Contributions & grants$90K15%
Program service revenue$502K83%
Investment income$5K1%
Other revenue$10K
expenses
Total expenses$614K
Program expenses39%
Admin / overhead60%
Fundraising2%
Salaries & benefits$333K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$417K
Cash$173K
Investments$0
Liabilities$29K
Net assets$387K
Liquid reserves3.4 mo
2 years on record · 2023–2024 · YoY revenue -4.7%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 1
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| TIMOTHY BACKUS | EXECUTIVE DI | 38 | $53K |
board members · 14
- AMY LANGWORTHY — MEMBER
- ANDREW KOURT — MEMBER
- CARL MUMMENTHY — MEMBER
- DR ANTONIO ABITABILE — MEMBER
- DR CHERYL DOZIER — MEMBER
- DR KATHERINE SCHILLER — MEMBER
- DR THOMAS REARDON — MEMBER
- DR TURNINA PARKER — MEMBER
- DR VIRGINIA GOATLEY — MEMBER
- DR WILLIAM CRANKSHAW — CHAIR
- JEFFREY SIMONS — MEMBER
- JODY MONROE — MEMBER
- LAUREN CRISMAN — VICE-CHAIR
- PEGGY O'SHEA — MEMBER
relationships · 24
Who they work with
- Berne Knox Westerlo School District Partner — Partnered with CASDA consultant on technology department redesign.
- Capital Area School Development Association Network — Organization referred to by acronym CASDA in blog content
- Capital District Counseling Association Partner — Partner organization advancing counseling, guidance, and personnel work in education.
- Capital District Counselors Association Partner — Collaborates with CASDA to co-host the School Counselors Roundtable.
- Capital Region BOCES Partner — Collaborates with CASDA consultants on technology department redesign and educational improvement initiatives.
- Common Thread Consulting Partner — Partner organization collaborating with CASDA to address implicit bias and advance equity in education.
- CreositySpace Partner — Partners with CASDA to deliver a free asynchronous STEM professional development series for elementary educators.
- Hanover Research Partner — Research partner providing access to a deep base of education research for district support services.
- NYKids Partner — Collaborates with CASDA to deliver research-based improvement strategies to school and district leaders.
- National Urban Alliance for Effective Education Partner — Partner organization working with CASDA to promote culturally responsive instruction and address systemic bias.
- The PeaceAble Approach Partner — Partner initiative promoting character education, conflict resolution, and social emotional well-being in schools.
- Timothy Backus Government — Executive Director of CASDA
- Timothy Backus Government — Executive Director of CASDA providing leadership coaching services
- Timothy Backus Government — Executive Director of CASDA; contact for consultation on program evaluations.
- Troy City School District Partner — Receives principal coaching and Central Office review services from CASDA consultants.
- University at Albany Partner — Collaborates with CASDA through faculty participation in the Executive Committee
- University at Albany Partner — Higher education partner providing representation from the Department of Educational Policy and Leadership to the Principals' Center board.
- University at Albany (SUNY) Partner — Collaborative partner in supporting member school districts through joint initiatives and capacity building.
- University at Albany (UAlbany) Partner — Partners with CASDA on the NY KIDS/COMPASS school improvement project and professional development for school teams.
- University at Albany School of Education Partner — Collaborates to provide access to rigorous scholarship and emerging research in education.
- University at Albany School of Education Partner — Long-term institutional partner collaborating with CASDA on educational resources and services.
- University at Albany School of Education Partner — Long-term partner providing access to research and expertise for professional development and technical assistance.
- WSWHE BOCES Partner — Collaborates with CASDA on the superintendent mentoring program.
- Washington County BOCES Government — Works with CASDA consultants through the STLE grant for principal coaching.
strategies · 4
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Collaborative Leadership Developmentmethodology: collaborative_leadership_networkBy bringing together school and district leaders across institutions for shared reflection, planning, and mentoring, leadership effectiveness improves because peer collaboration strengthens accountability, innovation, and sustained implementation of best practices.
- Culturally Responsive and Inclusive Practicemethodology: culturally_responsive_practiceBy centering students’ cultural and linguistic identities in instruction and systems, schools improve engagement and equity, because culturally responsive teaching reduces implicit bias and increases relevance and belonging for diverse learners.
- Integrated Systems Framework for School Improvementmethodology: integrated_education_frameworkBy combining multiple evidence-based frameworks—such as MTSS, trauma-informed care, restorative practices, and instructional technology—into a unified model, schools achieve more coherent and sustainable improvement because fragmented initiatives are replaced with aligned, systemic supports.
- Research-to-Practice Integrationmethodology: research_to_practiceBy embedding academic research into customized professional learning and coaching, school districts are better able to implement evidence-based practices effectively, because the approach bridges the gap between theory and classroom application through sustained, context-specific support.