Estill County principals report early-year diagnostics and ATC showcases new certifications and Robot Gladiator League team

School leaders and Estill County Area Technology Center (ATC) staff used the Sept. 18 board meeting to report early-year assessment data, reading-plan work under state law, changes to the Success Academy and preschool screening, and several ATC program milestones, including new industry certifications and a planned Robot Gladiator League team.

A middle-school principal reported that early diagnostic testing (i-Ready) is still in progress for math in seventh and eighth grade and that the diagnostics are intended to show where students should be by the end of the school year. "This very first-of-the-year diagnostic tests them on where they should be at the end of this school year," the principal said, explaining that lower percentages at the start of the year do not equal final proficiency.

Superintendent Brock and principals also discussed Senate Bill 240, which requires districts to develop reading plans and, under certain criteria, retain first graders who do not meet benchmarks. The superintendent said district staff and principals attended training and would publish the district's criteria and provide it with report cards once finalized.

Preschool staff reported ongoing screening opportunities and said the first required assessments for the preschool program would be due by Oct. 31. Preschool staff described home visits they perform before the school year starts and said those visits help plan transportation and learning goals for each child.

At the Success Academy (alternative program), staff said reassignments and the addition of a second teacher have increased the program's ability to offer direct instruction and social-emotional supports. The Success Academy also expanded its staffing to include additional teachers and support personnel and now serves students in virtual and homebound programs.

Estill County ATC leaders presented enrollment and postsecondary-readiness results for multiple programs: health science, computer science, industrial maintenance, engineering, welding and diesel. highlights included a senior class with 100% industry certification pass rates in welding-related dual-credit or certification courses and an ATC diesel training program that received ASE (Automotive Service Excellence) training program certification after a year of documentation and testing by staff.

The ATC also described a community-facing project: a 1957 LS98 crane motor donated by Link-Belt that ATC students will rebuild as a hands-on lab project with company and industry partner support. Staff said the motor will be returned to Link-Belt for display after students restore it.

A major new initiative described by ATC staff is participation in the Robot Gladiator League, a regional robotics competition created by Newton's Attic and the STEM Excellence Center at Morehead. The ATC said it will field a team of 25 students across five ATC programs (industrial maintenance, welding, engineering, computer science and diesel) and hopes to host an event locally in the future. Program staff framed the competition as a mix of combat-style robotics and competitive challenges with video and community outreach components.

Why it matters

The diagnostic testing and reading-plan work tie to state policy on early-grade literacy and can impact student promotion decisions; preschool screening affects eligibility and program access for 3- and 4-year-olds in the county. ATC certifications and industry partnerships affect students'postsecondary readiness and local workforce development.

Supporting details and context

- Early assessments: Middle-school staff said early i-Ready diagnostics show the share of students already performing at expected end-of-year levels (for example, the principal reported 43% of eighth graders were on grade level for reading at the time of the report), and that instruction and tailored interventions will follow. - SB240 reading plans: Superintendent Brock said principals attended a think tank and the district will finalize and distribute its criteria for reading plans and retention; public communication will follow once criteria are complete. - ATC outcomes: Health science programs reported industry certifications (including state Registered Nursing Assistant and phlebotomy certifications), HOSA participation and national competition qualifiers; welding classes are offering near-universal dual-credit sections; diesel program achieved ASE training program certification. - Robot Gladiator League: The ATC will field teams in both a combat-style division and a competition division; the program partners include Newton's Attic and the STEM Excellence Center at Morehead, and the ATC hopes to host a future event to generate program revenue.

Ending

Principals and ATC staff said they would return to the board with assessment results after the district completes the current round of diagnostics and with updates on ATC competitions and certification milestones.