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parent notification TSI

Dear Banks Road Parent/Guardian:

As a parent/guardian of a student attending Banks Road Elementary, I am writing this letter to let you know that Banks Road has been designated as a Targeted Support & Improvement Additional Targeted Support (TSI-AT) school and has been designated as a low-performing school by the North Carolina State Board of Education.  As stated in ESSA Section 1111(d)(2), North Carolina had to identify schools for targeted support and improvement. TSI-AT schools in North Carolina are those that have a subgroup that is under-performing. As defined in G.S. 115C-105.37: “The State Board of Education shall identify low-performing schools on an annual basis. Low-performing schools are those that earn an overall school performance grade of D or F and a school growth score of "met expected growth" or "not met expected growth" as defined by G.S. 115C-83.15.” The intent of this opportunity is to improve educational outcomes for all students, close achievement gaps, increase equity, and improve the quality of instruction.

 

Legislation (G.S. §115C-83.15) passed during the 2013 long session of the North Carolina General Assembly provides parents with an additional measure of school performance in the form of School Performance Grades. Beginning with the 2013–14 school year, the annual North Carolina School Report Cards display a letter grade of A, B, C, D, or F for each school in the state.

 

The School Performance Grades are based 80 percent on our school’s achievement score (student proficiency) and 20 percent on students’ academic growth. At Banks Road, our achievement score for the 2021-2022 school year is based on how well our students performed on the Grades 3–5 Mathematics, Grades 3–5 English Language Arts/Reading, and Grade 5 Science assessments.

Banks Road received a School Performance Grade of D and a growth designation of did not meet for the 2021–2022 school year. Although we are committed to improving this score, it is important to remember that just as no one single score or grade tells the whole story of a student, neither does it tell you everything about the performance of a school or the opportunities that our school provides.

As a TSI-AT school and as a school designated as NC low-performing, Banks Road is required to develop a comprehensive plan that specifically addresses how the school will improve student achievement. The plan will also include how our district will support us and monitor the progress of our school.  The comprehensive plan will address the following areas:

  • Classroom Management
  • Standards-aligned Instruction
  • Professional Learning Communities (PLCs)
  • Instructional Leadership
  • Recruitment & Retention of Effective Teachers
  • Support for Grade-to-Grade Transitions
  • Implementation of a Tiered Instructional System
  • Data-Driven Decision Making
  • Student Support Services
  • Family and Community Engagement

Parent engagement is at the heart of our school improvement efforts. Here are some ways you can help:

  • Make sure that both you and your student are aware of academic expectations set for your student this school year.  A list of learning objectives in student-friendly language is available from your student’s teacher(s).
  • Call 919-890-7333 if you have questions or concerns about your student or to set up an appointment to meet with a school staff member who will be working with your student.
  • Make sure that your student is prepared and attends school each day.
  • Monitor your student’s homework.
  • Monitor the progress your student is making and attend meetings with your student’s teacher(s).
  • Keep track of our website and social media sites
  • Volunteer.
  • Join the PTA.

Sounds like a lot but preparing our students so they can succeed is not easy and is a group effort. Here are some resources available to help:

We’re excited about this school year and are working to make it a success for your student.

If you have questions about the content of this letter, please contact Principal Simmons at ssimmons@wcpss.net.

Sincerely,

Sarah Simmons