Middle school placed in Targeted School Improvement for English learners; district outlines action plan

Mrs. Rexrode, the district’s director of curriculum and learning, told the board the middle school has been identified for Targeted School Improvement (TSI) because its English‑learner subgroup fell below state proficiency thresholds. She said the designation applies to the district’s English learners and noted there are 40 English learners at the middle school and 95 districtwide.

The presentation laid out why TSI applies and what the district has done so far: a needs assessment is required, measurable goals must be set, and the district must submit an action plan that the state will review. Rexrode said the TSI designation is based on a single year of performance data and contrasted it with CSI (Comprehensive Support and Improvement). She described initial steps including data review with middle‑school principals and the ESL instructor and said the district has already begun notifying families in their home languages about tests and results.

Rexrode said the district approved new curricular materials from Cengage (a National Geographic program) for use across buildings and has been using pocket‑talk translation devices and iPads with Google Translate to improve communication with families. She described a consultant engagement for 2026–27 that will bring professional development to every building and explained the consultant will return in October for follow‑up training once teachers have students in mind.

The presentation also addressed student reclassification: the district is reviewing English‑learner cases where students have made sufficient growth and can be taken out of the program; Rexrode said several students will be reclassified now and more may be reclassified when ACCESS scores arrive the following week. She said the district is engaging students in a school‑friendly survey to inform a steering committee and invited board members, teachers and community members to join the steering committee. Rexrode said the district will finalize the improvement plan over the summer, bring it to the board in August for approval, and submit it to the Pennsylvania Department of Education by Sept. 1.

The board asked clarifying questions about the targeted subgroup and communication; Rexrode emphasized that many of the supports for English learners will also benefit all students. She noted the district is increasing family communication by sending test notices and score explanations in families’ home languages.

Next steps: the district will complete its middle‑school needs assessment, finalize measurable goals and submit the required plan to PDE by the September deadline.