Local schools on underperforming list

Several local schools appeared on a list of under performing schools issued by the Delaware Department of Education

Delaware Department of Education recently released a list of schools on improvement plans and several local schools appeared on the list. There are several categories used to identify schools who need improvement, including Comprehensive Support and Improvement (CSI and CSI-R) and Targeted Support and Improvement (TSI-1 and TSI-2).

According to DOE, a school falls into CSI either when students score in the lowest five percent of Title I school performance or if the graduation rate is below 67 percent. A Title I school is a school that receives financial assistance from the federal government to help students from low-Income families meet academic standards.

A school is identified as CSI-R if they did not exit the initial CSI status within a specified period. TSI-1 schools are those who have at least one subgroup of students underperforming for at least two consecutive years. If the school does not improve after three years, it moves to CSI status. TSI-2 schools are those who have one subgroup of students underpromoting annually. In 2024, no school was identified as TSI-2.

Milford Central Academy was identified as a CSI school while Milford High School and Mispillion Elementary were identified as TSI-1 schools. Neighboring Lake Forest School District had Chipman Middle School identified as a TSI-1 school, but no schools on the CSI list.

“We believe the foundation of excellence is rooted in an academically rigorous curriculum, supportive instruction and high expectations for each learner. As a data-drive district, we continuously identify areas for growth and implement action plans aligned with our strategic plan to address these needs,” Public Information Officer Trish Gerken said. “To better support student outcomes, we have implemented data protocols during Professional Learning Communities (PLCs), where teachers collaborate weekly to analyze data and advance student learning.”

A professional learning community (PLC) is a group of educators who meet regularly to Improve teaching and student learning.

In Lake Forest, Superintendent Dr. Steven Lucas explained that the district is committed to support gaps and deficiencies they feel could improve academics.

“We are committed to our Multi-Tiered System (MTSS) as we see that as the key concept to growth in our district,” Lucas said. “It is a state-mandated system where we identify the individual needs of the student and really apply targeted supports.”

Senator Eric Buckson, a member of the State Education Committee stated that some of the issues were generated at the legislative level.

“I appreciate the intent of the report, but many of the struggles in our schools come from misguided policy at the legislative level and getting back to a basic approach that includes accountability from both students and parents will have an immediate impact on improving school performance,” Buckson said.

Buckson also believes that educators need to be honest with parents about what it means to teach in classrooms today and how those dynamics create challenges with performance they cannot control.

Gerken also pointed out that Milford has added personnel that will intensify the support for students.

“Reading specialists have transitioned to a coaching model, providing targeted support for both English Language Arts (ELA) and math. To further enhance literacy, we have hired paraprofessionals at each elementary school to deliver small group interventions,” Gerken said. “Master schedules across the district have been adjusted to allow for more focused instructional time. Additionally, partnerships with the University of Delaware are helping us identify areas of growth in literacy and math across grades K-12.”

In addition to additional supports in classrooms, Gerken explained that parents and community members could assist with improving academic outcomes in schools.

“Parents and community members can support our efforts by ensuring regular attendance, which is critical to achievement, fostering academic growth through activities like daily reading at home and encouraging a growth mindset and a love of learning,” Gerken said. “In partnership with the Department of Education, we are dedicated to improving outcomes and ensuring every student has access to the resources and instruction they need to succeed.”

Lucas echoed Gerken’s statements.

“It is always about the individual student’s needs,” Lucas said. “That is always where we place our emphasis with the goal of trying to identify how we can help every student achieve academically.”

One of the schools listed on an improvement plan last year, Lake Forest High School, exited the program after it met requirements this year. A list of schools on improvement plans throughout the state can be found on the DOE website.

Jarek Ruiz from our parent publication, Delaware Live, contributed to this story.