Nevada DOE webinar explains how schools receive and exit Targeted Support and Improvement designation

A member of the Nevada Department of Education’s (NDE) School Improvement Team explained how schools are identified as Targeted Support and Improvement (TSI), what schools and districts must do after designation, and what supports NDE can offer in a recorded webinar aimed at principals and LEA school improvement staff.

The presenter said a school becomes designated TSI when it is not already designated Comprehensive Support and Improvement (CSI) or Additional Targeted Support and Improvement (ATSI), at least one student subgroup is consistently underperforming on the academic achievement indicator, and the school also shows weaknesses on two or more additional indicators such as growth, graduation rate, English‑learner (EL) proficiency, or student engagement.

The webinar laid out which measures apply at each school level: math and English/language arts proficiency and growth are used across elementary, middle and high schools; middle and high schools include additional engagement metrics (middle school: eighth‑grade credit and academic learning plans; high school: ninth‑grade credit, postsecondary participation and completion). For English learners, the NDE uses WIDA ACCESS growth measures; the presenter said EL subgroup measures are reported only when the subgroup meets the minimum size threshold (stated in the webinar as 25 or more students).

The presenter described school responsibilities after designation: conduct a comprehensive needs assessment for identified subgroups; develop a school improvement plan with specific goals for each identified subgroup; use interventions that meet an evidence‑based standard (the presenter listed the commonly used tiers as strong, moderate, promising, and rationale); report quarterly on implementation progress to the district; and regularly engage parents and community members in the improvement process.

District duties include notifying parents about why a school was identified and how parents can be involved, reviewing and approving the school improvement plan, monitoring implementation fidelity, and determining additional actions when interventions do not produce intended results. Districts are responsible for setting any local TSI exit criteria; the presenter said many districts simply apply the same rules used for entrance when deciding whether a school has exited TSI.

The webinar covered Title I reporting procedures for districts. The presenter said districts should submit a list of schools that have exited TSI through the Title I platform by Sept. 30 and noted the NDE accountability team typically releases the designation list on or about Sept. 15. The presenter walked through where to find and how to download and upload the TSI assurance template in the Title I platform.

The presenter emphasized that NDE is not required by law to conduct school visits for TSI designations but said NDE can provide virtual or on‑site visits and technical assistance upon request. The Department may provide funding for evidence‑based interventions when funds are available, but the presenter warned that funding is not guaranteed every year.

Among resources highlighted was a fully funded “cost survey” offered in partnership with WestEd. The presenter said the survey assesses four domains—turnaround leadership, talent development, instructional transformation and culture—and provides feedback, coaching and an action plan to support school leadership teams.

The presenter provided scheduled office hours for follow up (Aug. 27 through Nov. 7, two daily sessions at 10:00–10:30 a.m. and 3:00–3:30 p.m.) and asked viewers to scan a QR code to confirm participation. The presenter closed by inviting districts and school teams to contact the School Improvement Team for technical assistance.

Direct quote from the presenter: "Please scan the QR code after you watch this webinar," and "reach out to me any question regarding TSI school."