Carroll County Public Schools officials say $11.2 million in newly allocated Blueprint funds to support compensatory education students will be used to improve student behavior and academic performance at eight elementary schools, four middle schools, and two high schools. said that a high proportion of the money was spent on targeted efforts to improve success. Number of students receiving compensatory education services.
Karl Streaker, director of student services, said: “While we recognize that rudimentary behavior is on the rise everywhere, compensatory schools have seen a slight decrease in the behavior, while non-compensatory schools have seen a slight decrease in the behavior. We are seeing an increase.” In a presentation to the school board last month.
The Blueprint for Maryland's Future, passed by the state Legislature in 2020, increases funding for compensatory education, special education, and English language learner students, but requires that the funds be spent as specified. ing.
The Maryland Department of Education says the pandemic has changed how students receive accommodations and services from public schools. Students who do not receive needed special education services “may be entitled to compensatory education/recovery services” to “replace skills and progress lost during the pandemic.” These services are determined by the local school system, taking into account each child's needs and circumstances.
“I think our biggest problem is that we end up with schools that don’t do that.” [compensatory education] For schools that need more support, the blueprint doesn’t necessarily allow for it or support it at this time,” Streaker said.
Each elementary school eligible for compensatory education funds (Cranberry Station, Elmer Wolfe, Robert Morton, Runnymede, Spring Garden, Taneytown, Westminster, and William Winchester) currently has a full-time behavior support specialist, Time math resource teachers and mental health therapists are available. support, additional mentor teachers, additional instructional assistants, additional intervention teachers, and additional support from student personnel personnel.
Elmer Wolfe Elementary School, Robert Morton Elementary School and Taneytown Elementary School will also have full-time school psychologists, and Taneytown will also have an additional assistant principal, according to the presentation.
Taneytown Elementary School is also a Blueprint designated community school and will receive additional funding due to the high concentration of poverty within the school.
“The needs of our students, especially our youngest learners, are changing and evolving,” Assistant Superintendent Nick Shockney said.
East, West, Northwest, and North Carroll middle schools eligible for compensatory education funding currently offer a summer transition program for sixth graders, an after-school tutoring program with transportation, a full-time math resource teacher, and additional part-time is provided. Additional support for mentor teachers, additional part-time mentor behavior coaches, student human resources personnel, and support for new and unterminated teachers. Additional school counselors will also be placed at East, Northwest and North Carroll middle schools, and East will also have an additional assistant principal, according to the presentation.
North Carroll Middle School benefits from the school system's partnership with the Boys and Girls Club of Carroll County, Shockney said.
Francis Scott Key High School and Winters Mill High School are also receiving targeted compensatory education funding. Each school currently has an additional school counselor, an additional mental health therapist, a part-time secondary mentor behavior coach, additional support from a student human resources representative, and additional support to develop individualized learning environment programs at each school. His four new staff members are in place. According to the presentation, Francis Scott Key won an additional assistant principal position.
“When it comes to the schools that we targeted with these Compensatory Education Funds, we saw positive increases in schools in both the number of major disciplinary actions and reductions in suspensions,” Shockney said. .
From September to the end of February, a total of 1,994 serious disciplinary actions and 11 suspensions were issued to elementary school students at schools receiving compensatory education assistance, according to the school system. This compares to the 1,864 referrals and 14 suspensions issued to primary school students in compensatory education schools during the same period last year, before funding for additional Blueprint-related resources began. .
As of February 28, there have been 1,271 referral letters and 151 suspensions for middle school students at schools receiving compensatory education support, and during the same period last year, there have been 1,570 referral letters and 240 suspensions. The number of cases decreased from
Major discipline referrals issued to county high school students receiving compensatory education assistance decreased from 866 last year to 578, and suspensions at Francis Scott Key and Winters Mill high schools decreased, according to the presentation. The number of cases decreased from 161 last year to 114.
Elementary School Principal Christy Farber said providing students with academic resources helps improve student behavior.
“They're trying to avoid frustration for students so they can be successful in the classroom,” Farber said. “That's why they don't develop.” [negative] Action. ”
Superintendent Cynthia McCabe said the school system will analyze the results of the 2024 compensatory education funding allocation and develop and implement programs to improve behavioral outcomes for all students.
“Historically, in elementary school, [level], we find that many of our behavioral problems are in the early grades, and that it's when they first appear that we experience the most difficulty,'' McCabe said. “Every year, I think more and more students are dealing with complex conflicts.”