A Focus school is –
Identified as having the largest achievement or
graduation rate gaps in the state. The WVDE identified
Focus schools based on the following:
Elementary and middle schools – Achievement Gap
component of the West Virginia Accountability Index
(WVAI) for all valid subgroups (20 members or
more) compared to non-subgroup members.
High schools – Graduation rate gaps for all valid
subgroups (20 members or more) compared to nonsubgroup members.
How are Focus schools identified?
Prior to identification, Priority schools are removed
from the statewide list of schools. Then, the
following process is used:
Elementary and Middle Schools:
All elementary and middle schools will be
ranked using the Achievement Gap component
of the WVAI.
WVDE will identify the 10th percentile Title I
school with the largest achievement gap.
All (i.e., Title I and non-Title I) elementary and
middle schools identified within the range of the
10th percentile Title I school will be identified as
Focus schools.
High Schools:
All high schools will be ranked using graduation
rate gaps.
A total number equal to 5% of the state’s high
schools with the largest graduation rate gaps
will be identified as Focus schools .
What happens after being designated a Focus school?
Each Focus school will implement the West Virginia
School Improvement Framework for Focus schools,
which includes the following components:
Diagnostic visit/report with a concentration on
identified gaps
Improvement plan
Memorandum of
Focus Schools will
Understanding
implement
articulating
targeted
responsibilities of each
interventions for
supporting agency
subgroups in need.
Implementation of
targeted subgroup
interventions
Monitoring/progress reports/redirection
A Focus Assistance Support Team (FAST) consisting of
staff with programmatic expertise related to each
subgroup population will be formed at the local,
regional, and state levels to support implementation of
appropriate interventions to improve subgroup
achievement and school completion.
Specific supports/resources for implementation of
Focus school improvement plans will be developed
through collaborative efforts of all partners.
How does a school exit Focus status?
A school may exit Focus status when the following criteria
have been met:
A school is no longer among the lowest 10% of Title I
elementary/middle schools with the largest subgroup
gaps or among the lowest 5% of high schools as a
result of sufficient subgroup improvement, and
A school meets its subgroup proficiency Annual
Measurable Objectives (AMOs) for the subgroups that
contribute to a school’s achievement gap.
Improvement will be subject to review by the ESEA
School Review Committee.
For Additional Information on Data or Accountability
For Additional Information on Technical Assistance
WVDE — Office of Assessment & Accountability
(304) 558-2546
http://wvde.state.wv.us/oaa/
WVDE — Office of School Improvement
(304) 558-3199
http://wvde.state.wv.us/schoolimprovement/