Jennifer Proctor, assistant superintendent for instruction, told the Shenandoah County School Board on Jan. 8 that two elementary schools were identified under Virginia's new accountability framework for targeted subgroup support. "W. W. Robinson and Sandy Hook are both TSI schools for students with disabilities," Proctor said, using the state's Targeted Support and Improvement (TSI) designation.

Proctor explained the new framework weights mastery, growth and readiness differently by school level and that subgroup performance is now a trigger for additional state attention. She said the state provided funding to identified schools last year and "last year it was $50,000 per school," a grant the division expects to apply for again this cycle. The application for that funding is due in February, she said, creating a tight turnaround for the district's needs assessments and evidence-based planning.

Proctor outlined the district's response plan: a more detailed needs assessment at each identified campus, selection of research-backed strategies targeted to the affected subgroup(s), and monitoring tied to quarterly classroom visits and a Friday-focused walkthrough process. "Identification leads to resources, planning and action," she said, describing the district's cycle of observation, targeted supports and follow-up.

Board members pressed for subgroup specifics and whether the grant could fund personnel. Proctor said the $50,000 typically pays for materials, programmatic purchases and professional development rather than ongoing salaries. She confirmed the state offers a liaison and some oversight, but the division must present a plan to receive funds.

Proctor also gave a snapshot of division performance: middle and high schools scored strongly on combined metrics, while elementary-level reclassification under the new system produced a small set of schools that require targeted supports. She emphasized that some schools were close to thresholds and that the district views identification as an opportunity to direct focused intervention.

Next steps: the division will complete needs assessments for W.W. Robinson and Sandy Hook, prepare the state application in February, deploy targeted supports (materials and professional learning) and monitor progress through classroom visits and quarterly data reviews.