Instruction committee reviews Q2 data; nine elementary schools designated for intensive support, plans due Feb. 24

Frederick County’s instruction committee heard a quarter‑2 instructional update Monday evening that included a state‑mandated reclassification of nine elementary schools as "needs intensive support," an explanation of why those determinations were made and the division’s plan to post and pursue multi‑year improvement plans that require full board approval on Feb. 24.

The committee was told the reclassifications resulted primarily from subgroup performance — particularly among English learners and students with disabilities — even when overall school scores were close to the on‑track threshold. "All of ours are English learners and or students with disabilities," said Ms. Muldowney, senior director of elementary education, describing the subgroup patterns that led to federal Targeted Support and Improvement (TSI) identification.

School and division leaders framed the designations as a priority for targeted interventions rather than a declaration of failure. "We had two elementary schools that actually scored 79.8, two‑tenths away from on track," Ms. Muldowney said, noting that subgroup results moved those schools into the off‑track and then needs‑intensive categories.

Why it matters: the Virginia Department of Education’s new performance and support framework (finalized December 2025) assigns school designations that shape required…