The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) is the primary federal education law for K-12 public education. It mandates that each state establishes accountability measures for public schools, reflecting how well students are performing. In New York State, these measures are in place to evaluate school and district performance, guiding the appropriate support they receive. All schools across New York State are assigned to a support model based on these accountability measures, designed to aid schools and districts in their continuous improvement goals. For districts like Pioneer Central School District, understanding these models is crucial.
Decoding School Accountability Support Models
New York State employs a tiered system of support models for schools, each designed to address different levels of need and performance. These models are clearly defined to ensure every school receives the right kind of support to foster student success. It’s important for the Pioneer Central community to understand how these models work and what they mean for their schools.
| Support Model | Definition |
|---|---|
| Comprehensive Support and Improvement (CSI) | CSI is assigned to at least the lowest-performing 5% of elementary and middle schools receiving Title I, Part A funds, as well as any non-Title I schools meeting similar criteria. The same applies to high schools. CSI identification occurs every three years based on the ‘All Students’ accountability group performance. |
| Additional Targeted Support and Improvement (ATSI) | Schools are identified for ATSI if a specific student subgroup, initially identified for Targeted Support and Improvement (TSI), does not improve its status within a regulated timeframe. |
| Targeted Support and Improvement (TSI) | TSI identification is based on the underperformance of specific accountability subgroups—beyond the ‘All Students’ group—for two consecutive years. These subgroups include various racial and ethnic groups, as well as Economically Disadvantaged students, English Language Learners, and Students with Disabilities. Initially, in the first year of identified low performance, a subgroup is labeled as ‘Potential TSI.’ |
| Local Support and Improvement (LSI) | Schools not identified for CSI, ATSI, or TSI are designated for LSI. These schools, like those in Pioneer Central, continue to utilize locally established systems for ongoing improvement. There are no changes in regulatory requirements for LSI schools. |
This table provides a clear overview of the different school support models in New York State. For Pioneer Central schools, understanding where they fit within this framework is key to strategic planning and continuous improvement.
District Accountability Support Models: A Snapshot for Pioneer Central
Similar to schools, districts in New York State also have accountability support models. These models are designed to ensure that districts, including Pioneer Central School District, are effectively supporting their schools and students.
- Local Support and Improvement
- Target District
| Support Model | Definition |
|---|---|
| Local Support and Improvement (LSI) | A district receives an LSI designation if none of its schools are identified for CSI, ATSI, or TSI, and if no district-level subgroup meets the criteria for CSI, ATSI, or TSI. Districts like Pioneer Central, identified for LSI, maintain their local systems for continuous improvement with no changes in state regulatory requirements. |
| Target District | A district is identified as a Target District if any of its schools are designated for CSI, ATSI, or TSI, or if any district-level subgroup meets the criteria for these support levels. |
This table clarifies the district-level support models. Pioneer Central School District falls under the Local Support and Improvement model, indicating a strong baseline of performance across its schools.
Pioneer Central School District: Local Support and Improvement in Action
Currently, the Support Model identified for Pioneer Central School District is Local Support and Improvement (LSI). This designation reflects the overall performance of the district and its schools under New York State’s accountability system.
| Support Models Identified in This District |
|---|
| Institution Name |
| ARCADE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL |
| DELEVAN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL |
| PIONEER MIDDLE SCHOOL |
| PIONEER SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL |
| YORKSHIRE-PIONEER CSD |
As shown, all schools within the Pioneer Central School District, including Arcade Elementary School, Delevan Elementary School, Pioneer Middle School, and Pioneer Senior High School, are also under the Local Support and Improvement model. This consistent LSI designation across the district highlights a commitment to maintaining and enhancing educational standards at the local level.
For more in-depth information, you can read the Accountability Fact Sheet for Parents and explore further details on ESSA Accountability Designations. Detailed accountability statuses and support models for all districts, schools, and subgroups are available here.
