Focus schools are defined within the context of the 2011 Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) waiver. These are Title I schools in South Carolina that SCDE has identified as having the largest achievement gaps in subgroup performance or low achievement subgroups; or have the largest gaps in graduation rates or low graduation rates (less than 60%) at the high school level. Some examples of identified subgroup areas include race, socioeconomic status, and disabilities. Per the waiver, the number of Focus Schools must constitute at least 10% of the Title I schools in the State.
Focus schools use achievement gap analysis data to develop a plan to include specific research-based interventions to address achievement gaps. Focus Schools are allocated funds from 1003(a) and the Statewide System of Support to implement these interventions. These targeted interventions should be consistent with best practices for narrowing achievement gaps between identified subgroups and align to federal turnaround principles. Such federal turnaround principles include: providing strong leadership, ensuring that teachers are effective and able to improve instruction, providing high quality and job-embedded professional development, implementing strategies to recruit and retain staff, redesigning the school time (day, week, or year), strengthening the school’s instructional program, using data to inform instruction, establishing a school environment that improves safety and discipline and addresses non-academic factors, and engaging families and communities.
Helpful Links to Information on Programs Meeting ESSA's Evidence Standards
Evidence for ESSA
What Works Clearinghouse
Resources
