A district teaching and learning presenter reviewed criteria for state designations (CSI, ATSI, TSI), named schools currently on the lists and described district supports tailored to improve outcomes.

The presenter said CSI schools include Baker Middle, Dorothy Height, Eddy Middle, Forest Road and Georgetown; Davis Elementary and Key are ATSI schools and East Columbus Magnet Academy and Forest Road were named earlier as "beating the odds." The district explained the multistage state process for designation—content mastery, progress and readiness—and noted cut scores are a moving target that can affect which schools are designated. "It progresses from stage 1 to 3," the presenter said when board members asked about the staging.

District staff described internal supports used in identified schools: collaborative planning and standards‑based instructional walk‑throughs, short‑term action plans developed with principals, coaching cycles and content specialist support. The district said it uses universal screeners such as STAR and is launching progress monitoring tools and data chats to track implementation. The Rollins Center partnership and the district's coaching and professional learning aim to implement a science of reading framework across elementary schools; staff noted the Rollins work includes training, coaching cycles and implementation supports.

Board members pressed on two recurring concerns: (1) the federal/state accountability approach creates a "sliding scale" that can make it hard for schools to know where they stand year to year, and (2) whether state metrics compare cohorts or different student groups. District staff acknowledged the complications, saying current state comparisons can pit different cohorts against each other and that the district is advocating for more emphasis on growth.

The presenter said effectiveness specialists and RESA/Bridal supports work with schools through calibrated walkthroughs and short‑term action plans under a memorandum of agreement with the state; members asked for a sample of short‑term action plans and for a follow‑up meeting in January to review initiative overlap and program alignment.