BASH designated for targeted support; administration lays out co-teaching and direct-instruction interventions

Mr. Sparks, principal of BASH, and Mrs. Petri, director of the Office of Teaching & Learning, presented the high school’s Targeted School Improvement (TSI) plan after Pennsylvania’s identification of BASH for additional support for students with disabilities. Presenters said the designation stems from 2024–25 data and requires a one-year action plan submitted to the state by September.

Administration identified two priority academic areas drawn from diagnostic assessments (CDT, Firefly, PEOS): literature/ELA and algebra. Presenters highlighted data points for the subgroup of students with IEPs cited in the meeting: roughly 70% of that subgroup were flagged as needing support on a literature measure and the transcript recorded an algebra-related diagnostic figure in the 80s (transcript: 83.59% flagged for algebra support). The district proposed expanding co-teaching supports in ELA 9–10 and algebra 1A/1B, adding common planning time, implementing a direct-instruction course targeted to IEP goals, and using home-room advisory time for targeted supports.

Mrs. Petri and Mr. Sparks described a quarterly monitoring plan: align schedules so co-teaching teams have common planning; deploy intensive professional development with the regional intermediate unit and the Office of Teaching & Learning; use midyear walkthrough and assessment benchmarks to adjust classroom supports; and produce an end-of-year review to recommend program changes. Board members pressed on whether the work requires new funding or staff. Administration said the initial plans fit within current staffing for next year but that targeted program changes — particularly a direct-instruction algebra or ELA trigger course — might require additional resources pending evaluation.

Several trustees emphasized urgency, especially around foundational math skills and ongoing curriculum review, and urged the administration to share more granular five-year curriculum and MTSS alignment work as it develops.