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ATSI plan credited with raising English-learner graduation rate; district expands counseling and community partnerships
Summary
Avon Grove presented its Additional Targeted Support and Improvement (ATSI) plan for the high school, reporting gains in graduation rates among English learners after counselor meetings, attendance teams and a pilot to award credit for work-based activities; preliminary 2024–25 numbers showed graduation up to about 83.3%.
District staff described the Additional Targeted Support and Improvement (ATSI) plan for Avon Grove High School, which targets improvements in graduation and attendance for specific student groups. Officials said the district focused on a small English-learner subgroup with historically low graduation rates and implemented counselor check-ins, attendance teams, community partnerships and a pilot to award credit for work performed outside school.
Identification and timeline: the state designated the high school for ATSI after English-learner graduation rates fell below the state threshold; the district entered a multi-year improvement cycle and submitted plans for prior years. Administrators said the initial designation was in December 2022 and plans were developed for the 2023–24 and 2024–25 school years.
Interventions and partnerships: interventions included quarterly scheduled meetings between every English-learner student and a school counselor, counselor/EL-teacher coordination, attendance teams that included counselors and administrators, and expanded community partners such as the Chester County Intermediate Unit Migrant Education Program and Communities in Schools. For students who work, the district piloted a program awarding credit for verified work activities, with weekly documentation and onsite verification; that pilot will be refined into a more robust internship model in consultation with other districts.
Outcomes: administrators said the interventions produced measurable gains: the English-learner subgroup's graduation rate rose from an earlier low to about 83.3% in preliminary 2024–25 results. The district's stated goal is 88% overall graduation; staff said they would continue the interventions and expand partner connections and interest inventories to better match students with work-based opportunities.
Why it matters: the ATSI plan focused on students whose attendance and outside obligations (work, family responsibilities) limited school participation; district staff said tailored interventions and community partnerships were essential to improving outcomes. The full plan will be posted on the legislative agenda and the district will seek board approval as required by the state.
