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Clarke County outlines supports for federally identified schools; Classic City faces persistent challenges

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Summary

District staff presented plans to lift Holston, Witt Davis, COIL and Classic City off federally identified lists, citing targeted instructional supports, literacy coaching and co-teaching; Classic City—s nontraditional blended model and small enrollment complicate sustained gains.

District leaders told the Clarke County School Board they are intensifying supports for schools on federally identified lists — Holston and Witt Davis elementary (Comprehensive Support and Improvement), COIL (ATSI/TSI for students with disabilities), and Classic City (Targeted Support and Improvement for African American and economically disadvantaged student groups).

Dr. Chanté Worthy outlined a district plan-of-support that includes monthly collaborative coaching visits, literacy coaches funded through state supports, strengthened tier-1 instruction, progress monitoring, and a focus on co-teaching and specially designed instruction for students with disabilities. She said Classic City is a nontraditional blended-learning school with roughly 63 students, which creates enrollment and staffing dynamics that differ from traditional high schools.

Board members pressed for specific actions tied to behavior management, PBIS and discipline processes because out-of-school suspensions and behavior referrals reduce classroom time. Worthy said schools are increasing PBIS, incorporating "Leader in Me" habits, improving planning protocols, and using literacy coaches and curriculum coordinators to tighten instructional practice. Early interim assessment gains were reported at some schools (for example, an interim biology increase noted at Cedar Shoals as part of Opportunity Culture pilot work), but officials said Classic City continues to face challenges moving all subgroups simultaneously.

The district asked the board to consider budget and resource decisions that could accelerate supports and to identify areas where board advocacy could help sustain improvements.