Dover Area School Board approves three-year ATSI plan to target proficiency gaps for students with disabilities

The Dover Area School Board voted 8-0 to adopt the high schoolATSI (Additional Targeted Support and Improvement) plan, a three-year strategy intended to close proficiency gaps in a subgroup of students with disabilities.

The plan, presented by the high school principal Mrs. Fasic, outlines priorities including development of a multi-tiered system of supports (MTSS), creation of common assessments and data protocols, and targeted professional development provided by the Intermediate Unit. "I do recommend adoption as does the IU, my facilitator, Corinne Connor," Fasic told the board before the vote.

ATSI status applies to the high school because one identified subgroupstudents with disabilitieshas not made the same proficiency gains as peers, the presentation said. Fasic said the plan is a three-year process that requires a steering committee made up of teachers, administrators, community members, parents and students and an author team that drafted the detailed action steps. Members named on the author team included Pam Snyder (math department chair), Angie Blevins (English teacher), Maureen Keller (instructional advisor), Rachel Reekard, Katrina Rothrock and Stacy Pisco (learning support teachers).

The plan sets three goals tied to measurable assessments. For semester courses such as English II and one-semester Algebra, teachers will set and report on individual growth goals with baseline testing in September and re-testing at semester end. Year-long courses will use three benchmarks per year, the principal said. The plan also directs teachers to build data walls, adopt districtwide data analysis protocols and use benchmark tools including the state's new "Firefly" benchmark and the districtCDTs to track growth.

Fasic described MTSS as a tiered set of interventions ranging from universal (tier 1) grade checks and flexible grouping to more intensive, individualized supports (tiers 2 and 3). She said the plan emphasizes that many effective interventions do not require large new expenditures and that the IU will provide free professional development and facilitation. "This is the most excited that I've really been about a plan, because I think we're starting to really get to the crux of the issues," Fasic said.

Board members asked how state reporting (the Future Ready Index and banked Keystone scores) relates to the plan; Fasic explained that state metrics often rely on banked scores and that local benchmark data will be used to give more timely information. She also told the board the plan will be published on the district website and that administration will report progress back to the committee and board multiple times per year.

The board approved the plan as agenda item 11.01. Director Emmick moved the motion and Director Wolverton seconded; the districtrecord shows an 8-0 vote in favor.

The plan's next steps include implementation of the MTSS protocols, scheduled professional development by the IU, and regular progress reports to the steering committee and board. Fasic said the district will monitor common assessments, benchmark data and other locally collected measures to adjust instruction and interventions.

The board's approval authorizes district staff to proceed with the action plan as presented; the IU continues to serve as a facilitator for the implementation work.