Nevada Department of Education explains ATSI designation, exit rules and supports for schools

Blakely Hume, lead on ATSI school designations on the School Improvement Team in the Office of Student School Supports at the Nevada Department of Education, delivered a recorded presentation explaining how schools are designated for Additional Targeted Support and Improvement (ATSI), how they can exit that status, and what responsibilities and supports are required of schools and local education agencies.

Hume said Nevada uses the NSPF index to calculate subgroup population performance and that “if any subgroup … score at or below the fifth percentile statewide, then the school is designated as ATSI.” The designation is intended “to make sure that we're lifting up all students,” she said.

Why this matters: ATSI identifies schools with one or more historically underperforming student subgroups (for example, students with disabilities or economically disadvantaged students). Designation triggers required actions by schools and monitoring and technical assistance from their district (LEA) and the state. Hume detailed entrance and exit rules, Title I assurance requirements, a program calendar, and the state’s planned virtual visits.

Key points from the presentation

Entrance and exit…