The Ohio Department of Education (ODE) contracted with RMC Arlington to develop a school improvement diagnostic tool built upon the Schools of Promise (SOP) research. The Ohio School Improvement Diagnostic (SID) review process is designed to gain access to observable behaviors and practices that provide information beyond existing data currently available from the Ohio Department of Education. The SID is a tool to identify needs as part of Stage 1 in Ohio's four-stage School Improvement Framework.

The instruments created for the site-based reviews are grounded in scientifically based research practices They are aligned with the themes that emerged from Ohio Schools of Promise case studies which identified effective practices found in high performing, high poverty Ohio schools. The instruments also align with Ohio Standards and Guidelines. RMC also developed six training modules to support the use of standardized protocols and processes for the State Diagnostic Review Team.

ODE and RMC piloted the instrument in Columbus City School District and the Mansfield City School District. Sherry Panizo, Senior Evaluator, Ohio Office of Policy & Accountability, said, "We thank RMC Research for designing a comprehensive diagnostic tool built on research-based practices and tailored to Ohio's school improvement process.