ESSA specifies that state educational agencies identify for Comprehensive Support and Improvement (CSI) the lowest-performing schools, high schools with low graduation rates, and schools with chronically low-performing subgroups.
Method and Timeline
North Dakota selects schools with the highest proportion of struggling students for Comprehensive Support and Improvement every three years. NDDPI works with school improvement teams and its leaders to develop a customized approach to address areas in need of improvement.
Identification Criteria
Schools must meet the following criteria:
- The lowest-performing 5% of all Title I schools in the state (based on the performance of the accountability framework over no more than three years)
- All public high schools (Title I or non-Title I) that graduate less than 67%
- Any school that was identified as Targeted Support and Improvement (TSI) and did not meet exit criteria after three consecutive years
Supports and Interventions
Schools selected are awarded school improvement grants for three consecutive years to implement evidence-based strategies and build local capacity to sustain improvement efforts. The following schools are currently identified as CSI schools:
| School | District | Grade Span | Grant Allocation | Interventions | Title I Status | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bowbells Elementary School | Bowbells 14 | 0K-06 | $60,000 | To be determined pending grant approval | Targeted Assistance | 46 |
| Dickinson Middle School | Dickinson 1 | 06-08 | $75,000 | To be determined pending grant approval | Schoolwide | 814 |
| Drayton Elementary School | Drayton 19 | PK-08 | $60,000 | To be determined pending grant approval | Targeted Assistance | 115 |
| Dunseith Elementary School | Dunseith 1 | PK-06 | $60,000 | To be determined pending grant approval | Schoolwide | 275 |
| Dunseith High School | Dunseith 1 | 07-12 | $67,500 | To be determined pending grant approval | Schoolwide | 315 |
| Jefferson Elementary School | Fargo 1 | 0K-05 | $60,000 | To be determined pending grant approval | Schoolwide | 288 |
| Four Winds Community High School | Ft Totten 30 | 09-12 | $60,000 | To be determined pending grant approval | Schoolwide | 191 |
| Fort Yates Middle School | Ft Yates 4 | 05-08 | $60,000 | To be determined pending grant approval | Schoolwide | 67 |
| Valley Middle School | Grand Forks 1 | 06-08 | $67,500 | To be determined pending grant approval | Schoolwide | 527 |
| Mandaree Elementary School | Mandaree 36 | 0K-08 | $60,000 | To be determined pending grant approval | Schoolwide | 151 |
| Oberon Elementary School | Oberon 16 | 0K-08 | $60,000 | To be determined pending grant approval | Schoolwide | 55 |
| Selfridge Elementary School | Selfridge 8 | 0K-06 | $60,000 | To be determined pending grant approval | Schoolwide | 48 |
| Cannon Ball Elementary School | Solen 3 | PK-06 | $60,000 | To be determined pending grant approval | Schoolwide | 137 |
| Warwick Elementary School | Warwick 29 | PK-04 | $60,000 | To be determined pending grant approval | Schoolwide | 87 |
| Warwick Middle School | Warwick 29 | 05-08 | $60,000 | To be determined pending grant approval | Schoolwide | 61 |
CSI Grant Cycle and Allocation:
CSI Grant Funding Period: September 1, 2022 - June 30, 2025 (yearly contract with continuing renewal)
Additionally, the NDDPI will provide support and interventions for schools selected using a multifaceted approach:
- All schools will be provided guidance and support including training on requirements and opportunities, and an NDDPI liaison to provide technical assistance
- NDDPI has partnered with the North Dakota Regional Education Associations (NDREAs) to support NDDPI’s implementation of comprehensive support. This partnership provides an opportunity for identified schools to receive assistance with federal requirements, which includes coaching, professional development, evidence-based instructional strategies, data-based decision making, and ongoing support to meet improvement goals using the School Renewal Process.
- Customized training to understand the STARS Data Reporting Platform and how it can be utilized for school improvement and resource allocation
- Priority points for NDDPI-sponsored opportunities, such as Family Engagement training, Cognia’s Diagnostic Review process, etc.
Additional Requirements
- School board and superintendent participation in the Be Legendary School Board Institute
- Quarterly Claims/Status Reports on funding support
- Increased scrutiny of State and Federal monitoring and required reports
Exit Criteria
A school may exit CSI status upon achieving:
- Scores that are above the bottom 5% of Title I schools for three consecutive years
- A graduation rate that is 67% or higher for three consecutive years
- Success in meeting established interim goals for three consecutive years for both academic achievement and graduation rates
Additional Information
New educators or leaders in schools identified as Comprehensive Support and Improvement could check out the TSI/CSI 101 recording that outlines TSI and CSI expectations through the fall of 2021.