division name: augusta county public schools school name ...€¦ · not using indistar®: access...
TRANSCRIPT
Revised September 2016 Page 1 of 15
Division Name: Augusta County Public Schools
School Name:
Date:
Select One: x☐ Initial Plan ☐ Revision
Title I schools implementing schoolwide programs are required to develop schoolwide plans in accordance with Section 1114(b) of the Every Student Succeeds
Act of 2015 (ESSA). Guidelines for plan development include the following:
● The plan should be developed with the involvement of:
o Parents;
o Other members of the community to be served;
o Individuals who will carry out the plan, including teachers, principals, other school leaders, administrators, paraprofessionals present in the
school;
o The local education agency;
o To the extent feasible, tribes and tribal organizations present in the community; and
o If appropriate
▪ Specialized instructional support personnel;
▪ Technical assistance providers;
▪ School staff; and
o If the plan relates to a secondary school, students and other individuals determined by the school;
● The plan should be available to the Local Educational Agency (LEA), parents, and the public; information in the plan should be in an understandable and
uniform format and, to the extent practicable, provided in a language that parents can understand; and
● If appropriate and applicable, the plan should be developed in coordination and integration with other federal, state, and local services, resources, and
programs, such as programs supported under ESSA, violence prevention programs, nutrition programs, housing programs, Head Start programs, adult
education programs, career and technical education programs, and schools implementing comprehensive support and improvement activities or
targeted support and improvement activities under section 1111(d).
The ESEA requires four components to be included in the schoolwide plan. The template below provides a framework that may be used to develop and/or
update a schoolwide plan. For each component, the narrative section in the template should be completed in sufficient detail to document how the component
has been thoroughly and thoughtfully addressed. Schoolwide plans should be reviewed annually and revised as necessary to promote continuous improvement
and to reflect the school’s initiatives to upgrade the entire educational program of the school.
To maintain focus, eliminate duplication of effort, and promote comprehensiveness, schools should operate under a single plan if at all possible. A school that
already has a plan for school improvement might consider amending it, rather than starting over, provided that the existing plan was based on a comprehensive
needs assessment and can be revised to include the four required schoolwide components. This template can be used by schools with existing Indistar® plans to
Revised September 2016 Page 2 of 15
reference indicators and tasks in the Indistar® plan that related to the schoolwide components.
Directions: Complete each of the four components by following these steps:
Using Indistar®:
● Access the Title I Schoolwide Plan template from the “Complete Form” tab of the Indistar® dashboard.
● Provide a narrative response that describes how the school has addressed the requirements for each component;
● Where applicable, identify the indicator(s) and task number(s) from the school’s Indistar® plan that align with each required component;
● Click “Save” at the bottom of the form to save your responses; and
● Submit the plan to your LEA Division Contact by returning to the dashboard. Under the “Submit Forms/Reports” tab, go to the Title I Plans section, and
select the Title I Schoolwide Plan “Submit” button.
Not Using Indistar®:
● Access the Title I Schoolwide Plan template on the Title I web site.
● Provide a narrative response that describes how the school has addressed the requirements for each component; and
● Submit the plan as directed by your LEA Title I Coordinator.
Resources:
Schoolwide program resources, including USED guidance on Designing Schoolwide Programs, Supporting School Reform by Leveraging Federal Funds in a
Schoolwide Program, and Title I Fiscal Issues, can be accessed at the Title I website under Guidelines and Procedures/Federal Guidance.
A Virginia Department of Education presentation on Requirements and Implementation of a Title I Schoolwide Program can be accessed at:
http://www.doe.virginia.gov/federal_programs/esea/index.shtml.
Component 1 §1114(b)(6):
A comprehensive needs assessment of the entire school that takes into account information on the academic achievement of children in relation to the
challenging state academic standards, particularly the needs of those children who are failing, or are at-risk of failing, to meet the challenging state academic
standards and any other factors as determined by the local educational agency.
Evidence: A systematic effort involving multiple stakeholders to acquire an accurate and thorough picture of strengths and weaknesses of the school community,
thus identifying student needs through a variety of information-gathering techniques. A data analysis summary must be included. The results of your data
analysis must guide the reform strategies that you will implement to improve instruction for all students.
Narrative:
Hugh K. Cassell Elementary School is committed to student learning and achievement. Hugh K. Cassell is a rural school of approximately
550 students in grades PK-5, of which 2% are English Language Learners and 58% are classified as economically disadvantaged. Thirty-
Revised September 2016 Page 3 of 15
three, 6%, of our K-5 students receives special education services.
In the 2017-2018 school year, we will be in a new building with approximately 700 students increasing our need for services. Reading
Specialists currently serve 5-8% of our population under a Targeted Assistance Title I model. Next year approximately fifteen more
students will be in need of services with two Reading Specialists. Because of these changes it is the desire of the stakeholders on our
learning community to apply for Title I schoolwide.
A systematic effort is in place to acquire an accurate picture of the H.K.Cassell’s community of learners involving various stakeholders to
include administrators, teachers, students and parents. Hugh K. Cassell Elementary’s administrators, curriculum leaders, and Title I team
have met and discussed performance data from previous years including PALS data, SOL scores, Benchmark test data, Summary
Performance by Question reports as well as School Summary reports and summative data around parent involvement. See the graphs
below for summaries of PALS and SOL data. The principal, assistant principal, and Intervention Specialist conduct twice monthly
meetings with each grade level team to discuss student data and participate in conversations about individual student plans,
interventions, parent involvement, etc. Reading Specialists, school psychologist, and division rep take part in these monthly meetings.
In response to annual data we will continue to create our master schedule with an intentional focus on math and reading. Team/Grade
level meetings inclusive of Title I instructional staff are held to discuss student data, plan for cohesive instruction and strategize effective
instruction following formative assessments in order to best promote student success.
Performance on PALS Assessments
Students identified as not meeting the fall benchmark:
Fall 2015 Fall 2016
K--16% 19%
1st--9% 12%
2nd--25% 23%
PALS data continues to show stakeholders the need for early identification and intervention. Currently, targeted assistance model only
allows our Title I reading specialists to work with a small percentage of these identified students.
Percentage of Students on Grade Level in Reading
Semester Break 2016-2017
A midyear report shows a significant population of kindergarteners reading below grade level.
1st-- 20.3%
2nd-- 60.7%
Revised September 2016 Page 4 of 15
3rd-- 67.7%
4th-- 56.2%
5th-- 59.5%
This data was retrieved specifically for a comprehensive needs assessment and will be analyzed by our stakeholders to target
instruction.
Performance on 2014-2015 and 2015-2016 Reading Standards of Learning Assessments
2014-2015
Pass rate for all students = 70%
Pass rate for students with disabilities = 36%
Pass rate for economically disadvantaged students = 67%
2015-2016
Pass rate for all students = 79%
Pass rate for students with disabilities = 38%
Pass rate for economically disadvantaged students = 75%
Trend data shows students with disabilities and economically disadvantaged students continually perform below the pass rates of all
students. Cassell’s stakeholders believe these subgroups of students would benefit from the resources and staff that Title I schoolwide
services could provide.
Spring 2016 SGA Scores
Reading
3rd Grade--61.9%; County average is 64%
4th Grade--64%; County average is 66%
5th Grade--71%; County average is 66%
Math
3rd Grade--65%; County average is 71%
4th Grade--69%; County averages is 65%
5th Grade--70%; County average is 66%
Budget Implications:
Revised September 2016 Page 5 of 15
Kindergarten and 1st Grade Reading teachers will be targeted for support with Title I funds in the area of professional development.
Related Indistar® indicators (if applicable):
Component 2 §1114(b)(7)(A)(i):
Provide a description of school wide reform strategies that provide opportunities for all children, including each of the subgroups of students (as defined in section 1111(c)(2)) to meet the challenging state academic standards. Evidence: Scientifically-based research strategies based on identified needs and designed to raise the achievement level of all students on content standards.
Provide information on how the selected strategies will increase student achievement in underperforming subgroups, if applicable. Include a description of how
the reform strategies will be evaluated for effectiveness.
Narrative:
Subgroups: 2016 SOL Reading Results Economically Disadvantaged 3rd Grade: 62% pass rate 4th Grade: 82% pass rate 5th Grade: 84% pass rate Subgroups: 2016 SOL Math Results Economically Disadvantaged 3rd Grade: 81% 4th Grade: 89% 5th Grade: 87% Our school wide strategies and intervention needs were determined by the data above. Interventions are being provided for students in
small group settings with our Title 1 and Intervention Specialists during a specifically allotted time built into the master schedule for
each grade level every day. Instruction is based on research based strategies/programs and students are progress monitored at least
once every two weeks. Documentation of student progress is kept in PowerSchool.
Revised September 2016 Page 6 of 15
Research Based Strategies include:
● Guided Reading within a small group setting
● Orton Gillingham Approach in Title One Reading Groups
● Benchmark Reading Program
● Early Reading Intervention
● My Sidewalks Reading Intervention Program
● Repeated Readings
● Running Records are completed for every child four times a year and more frequently with remedial and intervention students.
● Focus on Lesson plan alignment with monitoring and feedback from administration.
● Writing lesson objectives to include I Can statements to promote student friendly language.
All the above strategies are research-based and provide detailed information on student needs as well as explicit, structured, sequential
and cumulative instruction to raise the achievement level of all students. The administrators monitor and provide feedback regarding
lesson plan alignment, objectives, and instructional strategies. Additionally, administrative and district-level walkthrough and lesson
observations are used to document implementation of these strategies and provide feedback to teachers. Monitoring student growth
through data driven strategies listed above at weekly grade-level meetings and monthly student data days provides documentation as
to whether these strategies are effective for individual as well as groups of students. Specifically, individual student goals are set and
monitored on a nine-week timespan to ensure that intervention students are showing the necessary rate of growth to close learning
gaps.
Budget Implications:
Cassell reading specialists would like to receive training and materials in Orton Gillingham. If enough funding is available we would also
recommend that at least one teacher from each grade level team receive training and materials.
Related Indistar® indicators (if applicable):
Revised September 2016 Page 7 of 15
Component 3 §1114(b)(7)(ii):
Provide a description of school wide reform strategies that use methods and instructional strategies that strengthen the academic program in the school;
increase the amount and quality of learning time; and help provide an enriched and accelerated curriculum, which may include programs, activities, and courses
necessary to provide a well-rounded education.
Evidence: Scientifically-based research strategies or activities that strengthen and enrich the academic program by: extending the school day; embedding
reading and/or mathematics curricula into other instructional areas; or other strategies as appropriate. Include a description of how the reform strategies will
be evaluated for effectiveness.
Narrative:
Numerous methods and instructional strategies strengthen our academic program. Reading and math are embedded throughout the
curriculum in all core content. Core instruction is research-based, using written, taught, and tested curriculum. A balanced approach to
literacy incorporates the tiered instructional model--Response to Intervention. The interventions and remediations are data-driven,
facilitating continuous student growth. Hugh K. Cassell Elementary incorporates the research-based Daily 5/CAFE framework and
strategies to drive core instruction in reading and writing. During Daily 5 instruction, students are taught at their instructional level and
given opportunities to read at their independent level through the use of the Scholastic bookroom, the Scholastic guided reading
fiction/nonfiction short reads, Learning A-Z, leveled classroom libraries, additional collections of leveled texts and the school library. Our
online resources include RAZ, Tumblebooks, and Accelerated Reader. The Scholastic bookroom is based on the Fountas and Pinnell
leveling system. Teachers use the Scholastic benchmarks to identify each student’s instructional reading level. This data is used to drive
instruction through core, small group, guided reading and self-selected reading. The data is also used in small group remediation and
intervention. All of the leveled resources are cross-curricular to support integrated science and social studies instruction. Other cross-
curricular methods and instructional strategies include:
Math
Revised September 2016 Page 8 of 15
● Do the Math by Marilyn Burns
● Assessing Math Concepts by Kathy Richardson
● IXL Math
● Xtra Math
● Front Row Ed
● Rocket Math
● Reflex Math
● Teaching Student Centered Mathematics by John A. Van de Walle and LuAnn H. Lovin
● Fact Practice
Reading
● Reading Their Way
● Word Journeys By Kathy Ganske
● Daily 5/CAFE
● Read Theory
● RAZ Kids
● TumbleBooks
● Flocabulary
Cross-Curricular
● Afterschool TLC program
● STEAM and Project-based learning
● Science Lightbox
At Hugh K. Cassell Elementary School, ninety minutes is allocated to core content in reading and math in Kindergarten through fourth
grades. The master schedule has been created based on research data and teacher input to facilitate larger blocks of instructional time
and to aid in the flow of transitions. Thirty minutes of additional time is used for intervention, remediation, and enrichment in the
Response to Intervention model. To expedite morning transition time breakfast is served in many classrooms, and, next year, breakfast
will be served in all classrooms. Current transitional times are kept as tight as possible by establishing good routines in classrooms.
Schedules are posted in classrooms to facilitate focused instruction. Transitional times will be better in the new building next year with
specials classes in the same area and all of the classes indoors. Lesson plans are created with a focus on unpacking and aligning the
curriculum to the state Standards of Learning. The county and grade level teams develop pacing guides to effectively address state
Standards of Learning. Daily 5 and Daily Math review are incorporated as effective instructional strategies. Data from pretests and
posttests are used to group students and differentiate instruction. At grade level meetings we look at data from the pretests and
Revised September 2016 Page 9 of 15
posttests to determine our Power Up groups. We use all of our instructional personnel: Reading Specialists, Special Education teachers,
classroom teachers, PALS aide, instructional aides, and the Intervention Specialist.
All Hugh K. Cassell Students have the opportunity to participate in enrichment activities during their daily Power Up times as part of the
RTI model. Students have the opportunity to participate in a local 4-H Club. Numerous programs and performances are brought to the
school each year including Theater IV, Virginia Opera, and the Bureau of Lectures. Examples of past performances include Chinese
Acrobats, Mulan, and The Princess and the Pea. We have a Theater group of fourth and fifth graders each year who present a Spring
Musical. Students may participate through an audition process. Pretesting data is used to differentiate instruction for all students.
Students may be identified as Gifted and Talented in one or more of the areas of Specific Academic Aptitude (Math, Science, Language
Arts), Music, Art or Theater. Referrals are made to the school Gifted and Talented Coordinator. Parental permission to evaluate the
student's eligibility will be obtained, and parents will be notified of the results of their child's testing. Students with Specific Academic
Aptitude are served in the regular classroom with differentiated instruction by the classroom teacher. Special activities are provided
during the school year for students who are gifted in art, music, drama, and specific academic aptitude. Activities include:
● Field trips for fourth and fifth graders to the Shenandoah Valley Regional Governor’s School
● Art and theater projects based on a Standard of Learning theme like Awareness of Water Quality and Conservation (Science 4.1,
English 4.1, 4.4, 5.9)
● STEAM activities
● Book clubs
● 24 Math Challenge
● Spring Theater Program for 4th and 5th graders
● Art workshops offered by the Art Teacher with classes held during planning periods to investigate and produce more involved
art projects.
● LEGO robotics classes
● LEGO storytelling group with the Librarian
● Science lectures on various topics offered afterschool from collegiate level instructors
The effectiveness of the aforementioned methods and instructional strategies is monitored and assessed through universal screenings
and common assessment data. Progress monitoring through the Response to Intervention model is another avenue for assessing the
effectiveness of methods and instructional strategies. Student accountability folders are maintained as records of ongoing assessments.
These records help drive instruction. Data days and extended planning offer opportunities for collaboration on the effectiveness of
strategies and methods. Specific feedback, coordinated with established SMART goals, is provided by administrative observations and
conferencing.
Revised September 2016 Page 10 of 15
Budget Implications:
Related Indistar® indicators (if applicable):
Component 4 §1114(b)(7)(iii):
Provide a description of school wide reform strategies that address the needs of all children in the school, but particularly the needs those at risk of not meeting
the challenging state academic standards, through activities which may include—
▪ Counseling, school-based mental health programs, specialized instructional support services, mentoring services, and other strategies to improve students’ skills outside the academic subject areas;
▪ Preparation for and awareness of opportunities for postsecondary education and the workforce, which may include career and technical education programs and broadening secondary school students’ access to coursework to earn postsecondary credit while still in high school (such as Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, dual or concurrent enrollment, or early college high schools);
▪ Implementation of a school wide tiered model to prevent and address problem behavior, and early intervening services, coordinated with similar activities and services carried out under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. 1400 et seq.);
▪ Professional development and other activities for teachers, paraprofessionals, and other school personnel to improve instruction and use of data from academic assessments, and to recruit and retain effective teachers, particularly in high-need subjects; and
▪ Strategies for assisting preschool children in the transition from early childhood education programs to local elementary school programs and, if programs are consolidated, the specific state educational agency and local education agency programs and other federal programs that will be consolidated in the school wide program.
Evidence: Scientifically-based research strategies or activities such as student support services; behavior intervention systems; tiered systems of support;
teacher recruitment and/or retention activities; or other activities as appropriate. Include a description of how the reform strategies will be evaluated for
Revised September 2016 Page 11 of 15
effectiveness.
Narrative:
School Counseling Programs:
School counselors provide support to all students through classroom guidance lessons, as well as individual and group counseling. Some of the topics covered in classes include character development, friendship building, dealing with bullying, study skills, and test-taking strategies. All topics support academic development as well as personal and social development. Children, for example, learn how to identify good friendships as well as bullying behaviors and the importance of getting support from trusted adults to deal with children who bully. Good character is rewarded in classrooms through distribution of Cassell Keys for good choices. Special school programs and activities are awarded to children who maintain appropriate classroom behavior. Generally, children learn through consequences consistently applied. Children receiving individual and group counseling learn strategies for dealing with friendship issues, family breakups and divorce, grief counseling when there is a death in the family, and social skills. Children learn to reframe their thoughts in order to better manage their emotions through rational-emotive behavior therapy/cognitive behavior therapy. Children who are able to articulate their thoughts and feelings can talk about what is going on in addition to puppets, art, and counseling games for younger or less aware children. Counselors can support good choices through use of behavior charts for use in classroom and at home for parents. Valley Community Services Board offers a school based Therapeutic Day Treatment (TDT) Program to provide children within the school system with the opportunity to engage in individual and group counseling, emotional and behavioral support in the classroom setting, psycho-educational learning opportunities, behavior management/modification, family support and encouragement , and crisis intervention and support. Therapeutic Day treatment Specialists are the employees that work with each child to ensure proper therapeutic practices are implemented through a custom created Individualized Service Plan. TDT Staff also provide regular service coordination to maximize collaboration with each outside provider. Hugh K. Cassell Elementary has three TDT staff based in-house. The goals of the TDT program are to provide emotional support and skill training to children, promote and improve social skills development in children, teach children how to identify, verbalize, and manage their emotions; help children develop and implement anger management and coping skills, and enable children to develop skills to remain in the home and school setting. Career and Technical Education Programs:
Hugh k. Cassell Elementary School has an annual Career Day for all students in preschool through fifth grades. Each year students are
introduced to many careers thanks to community and parent volunteers who share their workplace experiences as well as their
educational experiences. Students attend several assemblies highlighting local organizations like the Wildlife Center of Virginia and
regional dance academies. Students rotate through stations, both indoors and outdoors, featuring the volunteer speakers. Classroom
teachers and specialists supplement the curriculum with enrichment activities including poster contests, books and stories, writing
Revised September 2016 Page 12 of 15
thank you notes, etc. Fifth graders participated in a field trip to our regional Valley Career and Technical Center in order to experience
and explore career training and programs available for them in high school.
RTI:
Augusta County Public Schools adopted the Virginia Tiered System of Supports (RTI) model to provide academic and behavioral support in the general education classroom with the goal of early intervention to ensure academic and behavioral growth. Virginia defines VTSS as “primarily an instructional framework and philosophy, the goals and objective of which include early intervention for students who struggle to attain or maintain grade-level performance.” The overarching goal of Augusta County’s RTI model is to improve student achievement by using research-based interventions matched to the instructional needs and levels of the students. RTI is a comprehensive, multi‐tiered, standards-aligned process meant to enable early identification and intervention for students at academic or behavioral risk. This process allows educators to identify and address academic and behavioral difficulties prior to student failure in collaboration with parent stakeholders.. The National Research Center on Learning Disabilities (NRCLD, 2006) defines tiered support systems as:
“….an assessment and intervention process for systematically monitoring student progress and making decisions about the need for instructional modifications or increasingly intensified services using progress monitoring data.”
Augusta County’s model of RTI is an integrated approach to service delivery that encompasses all education—general, remedial, and gifted—through a multi-tiered service delivery model. It utilizes a problem-solving framework to identify and address academic and behavioral difficulties for all students using scientific, research-based instruction. Essentially, RTI is the practice of: (1) providing high-quality instruction/intervention matched to all students’ needs and (2) using learning rate over time and level of performance to (3) make important educational decisions to guide instruction (National Association of State Directors of Special Education, 2005). RTI practices are proactive, incorporating both prevention and intervention, and are effective at all levels from early childhood through high school. RTI is a general education initiative written into the special education law. The language that Congress uses in Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA 2004) and Elementary and Secondary Education Act (NCLB 2001) stresses the use of professionally sound interventions and instruction based on defensible research, as well as the delivery of effective academic and behavior programs to improve student performance. Congress believes that as a result, fewer children will become “instructional casualties.” Recent research shows that the use of multi-tiered models is an effective educational practice within schools to bring high-quality instruction to all students. The key purposes of RTI are: universal screening for all students, data-based decision making, school-wide collaboration, progress monitoring, and evaluating the effectiveness of instruction and interventions. The RTI concepts presented in this document make use of a three-tiered approach that incorporates the aspects of a personalized education. Instruction should be standards-based, student-centered, and rooted in data-driven assessment with the consistent use of best instructional practices and materials that are grounded in research. A holistic approach to problem solving will be used with each child,
Revised September 2016 Page 13 of 15
taking into account cultural, social, and oral language factors. Parents will be considered as partners with the school when making RTI decisions about their children.
Local Professional Development:
Hugh K. Cassell Elementary School’s 2016-2017 professional development plan reflects our school goals, improvement plan, and the
division’s professional development plan. This year the focus encompassed curriculum, instruction and assessment, RTI, and technology.
Administrators continued to offer ongoing support to teachers in the alignment of curriculum, instruction, and assessment. Professional
development activities supported unpacking the standards, creating a table of specifications, writing lesson objectives that include
behaviors, conditions, and success criteria, and communicating lesson objectives in student friendly language. Inter-grade transition
meetings, school improvement team meetings, the Principal’s Advisory Council, faculty meetings, and vertical team meetings for
reading and math all addressed curriculum, instruction, and assessment.
Data days and extended planning times addressed the implementation of the Augusta County RTI handbook. Discussion and training
helped instructional staff clarify the expectations for Tiers 2 and 3. Goals also included increasing the use of research-based strategies
relative to use of intervention programs, improving fidelity in the implementation of interventions, and working to improve the quality
of Tier 1 (core) instruction.
Lastly, all instructional staff received professional development in the implementation of technology, with a focus on pedagogy.
Administrators observe and assess the effective implementation of technology use in the classroom. Our Instructional Technology
Resource Teacher provided training in formative assessments at the beginning of the school year. The Instructional Technology
Resource Teacher also mentors grade levels and individual teachers in incorporating the following technology initiatives:
● Assessment of the taught curriculum in grades 2-5 in the subjects of mathematics, reading, science, and social studies using
Interactive Achievement.
● Instructing with Brain Pop, Brain Pop Jr., Core Clicks, and Flocabulary as appropriate.
● Individual student devices (Chromebooks) in grades 3-5.
● Adding a second Chromebook cart in grade 2
Preschool:
Augusta County Public Schools employs a variety of strategies for assisting preschool children in the transition from early
childhood education programs to local elementary school programs.
Head Start
Augusta County Public Schools is the grantee for the Shenandoah Valley Head Start program (SVHS). SVHS currently serves birth
Revised September 2016 Page 14 of 15
to three year olds in Augusta County. As the SVHS three year old children prepare to exit the SVHS program, Augusta County Public
Schools supports their transition into the school-based four year old preschool program with automatic acceptance into the preschool
program. Additionally, each of the three SVHS classroom teachers participates in a transition meeting with additional SVHS personnel
and ACPS personnel. During these transition meetings, the teacher shares any specific strategies designed for individual children to be
successful participants in school. The transition meeting also reviews any developmental concerns the teacher may have, as well as the
child’s attendance record. The Head Start Family Service Worker and AC Preschool Family Service Coordinators work together to address
family transition concerns and to develop social stories, classroom visits and parent meetings.
Community Preschool settings
Augusta County Public Schools supports our community-based preschool programs in the transition of their students into their
family’s local elementary school with a variety of strategies. Augusta County Public Schools provides fliers announcing Kindergarten
registration dates, locations, and times for community partners to distribute to Augusta County families. Augusta County Public Schools
provides all families with the informational booklet, Transition 2 Kindergarten for distribution to all Augusta County families at
registration.
Additionally, when a community preschool program has a child struggling to be successful in their educational environment,
Augusta County Public Schools will provide on-site support for staff from the Preschool and Kindergarten Instructional Specialist.
Augusta County Public Schools also offers developmental screenings by request.
Further supporting the transition of children from community preschool settings, Augusta County Public Schools has provided
the research-based Blueprint for Early Literacy curriculum, coupled with professional development for the implementation of the
curriculum, to multiple community preschool programs (10).
Beyond the professional development opportunities related to the Blueprint for Early Literacy curriculum, Augusta County
Schools has also provided topic-specific professional development for community programs when requested.
Lastly, a representative of Augusta County Public Schools participates in the bi-monthly meeting with Shenandoah Valley Early
Childhood Forum, whose members include the Shenandoah Valley Head Start, community preschools and day cares, Department of
Social Services, and Childcare Connections.
School-Based setting (Local Education Agency)
Children enrolled in the Augusta County Public Schools school-based preschool program are likewise supported with a variety of
transition strategies. As with Augusta County children in community preschool programs, school-based preschool families also receive
information regarding kindergarten registration, as well as the Transition 2 Kindergarten booklet. School-based preschool children
attend a preschool classroom in their home school, providing an opportunity to visit the kindergarten classrooms as part of the
transition process. Additional visits to the kindergarten classrooms are also arranged for children who have a need.
Augusta County Public Schools preschool teachers participate in their individual school’s Data Day and Tiered Systems of
Revised September 2016 Page 15 of 15
Support. Teachers use ongoing assessment data (PreK PALS and Teaching Strategies GOLD) to monitor student progress and share
information with Data Day teams, including the building administrator. Students who require instructional interventions have goals
developed and recorded in Powerschool, where intervention goals and data are recorded, monitored and accessible to kindergarten
teachers at the beginning of the following school year. Teachers also record strategies and techniques that have helped a child be
successful and share with the kindergarten staff. This information, along with ongoing assessment data and additional relevant
information is included on a Transition Form which is shared with kindergarten staff.
Furthermore, teachers participate in monthly Grade Level Meetings, whereby student progress is discussed and additional
strategies are generated by professional peers. One Grade Level Meeting each year (in the Spring) is dedicated to transition meetings.
Should a child struggle to be successful in preschool or kindergarten, Augusta County Public Schools provides onsite support to staff
through a Preschool and Kindergarten Instructional Specialist.
Augusta County Public Schools preschool program has Family Services Coordinators, who support families through the
registration process. The Family Services Coordinators are available to assist families of the school-based preschool program with the
required kindergarten registration paperwork. Those families that are in need are followed and supported by the Family Service
Coordinators through the kindergarten year.
Budget Implications:
Related Indistar® indicators (if applicable):