District outlines improvement plan targeting economically disadvantaged students and higher proficiency goals

District staff presented the Fort Thomas Independent comprehensive district improvement plan and recommended targets during the board meeting.

Staff described the multi‑phase planning process: conducting a needs assessment using state and internal assessment data, setting priority areas, selecting strategies and identifying funding and monitoring approaches. For 2025–26 the district set one short‑term objective that targets elementary and middle school students who are economically disadvantaged, aiming to raise their success rate on the state assessment from 58.2 to 60 in one year.

The presentation also included a longer‑range goal for reading and math proficiency — staff described an ambition to increase those rates from roughly 88 to 96 by 2030 — and explained that objectives will be supported by core work‑processes such as lesson design, assessment, MTSS and professional development. Staff said phase 4 of the plan will focus on aligning professional development so teachers have training directly connected to the improvement strategies.

Staff indicated building leaders will monitor progress with benchmark data and progress monitoring, and funding will be linked to the activities and strategies in the plan. The board received the report and staff said they will return with phase 4 details and further implementation reporting in the coming months.

What happens next: Staff will refine professional development plans and report back to the board with implementation details and monitoring metrics.