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ESSA School Support FAQs

Frequently asked questions (FAQs) that provide guidance and assistance to support the implementation of Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) school improvement programs.

FAQs

This FAQ resource provides responses to common questions about the federal Comprehensive Support and Improvement (CSI), Targeted Support and Improvement (TSI), and Additional Targeted Support and Improvement (ATSI) programs under the ESSA and is designed to support local educational agencies (LEAs), county offices of education (COEs), and charter schools with implementing federal school improvement program requirements.

For more information about ESSA school support programs, please visit the following California Department of Education (CDE) program web pages:

CSI LEA

CSI Program Overview

ESSA requires state educational agencies to determine school eligibility for CSI once every three years. LEAs with schools eligible for CSI must collaborate with educational partners to develop and implement a school-level plan to improve student outcomes.

Below are FAQs related to Eligibility, Program Requirements, and School Improvement Funding.

Eligibility

  1. What does “No Status” mean in the ESSA Assistance Status Data Files?
    No Status” indicates that a given school was not eligible for an ESSA school support category (i.e., CSI, TSI, and ATSI).

  2. How often is school eligibility for CSI determined?
    CSI and ATSI determinations are made every three years. In 2023–24, ESSA school support determinations under CSI and ATSI were made for California following the publication of the 2023 Dashboard. These determinations marked the first year of California’s three-year identification cycle for both CSI and ATSI.

    CSI and ATSI entry determinations will be made again following the release of the 2026 Dashboard.

  3. Which schools are eligible for CSI?
    When CSI eligibility determinations are made, the following schools can be eligible:

    • All high schools, both Title I and non-Title I-funded, including Dashboard Alternative School Status (DASS) schools that meet the CSI Low Graduation criteria are eligible for support.
    • Not less than the lowest-performing five percent of Title I-funded schools that meet the CSI Low Performing criteria are eligible for support.

  4. How will the CDE determine school eligibility and exit for CSI?
    Schools eligible for CSI-Low Graduation Rate are evaluated annually to determine continued eligibility or exit for CSI-Low Graduation Rate. Those eligible for CSI-Low Graduation Rate in 2024–25 were reevaluated in 2025–26. Schools with a three-year combined four-and five-year graduation rate at 68 percent or above are no longer eligible for CSI based on the CSI–Low Graduation Rate criteria and will exit.

    Refer to the Dashboard Technical Guide web page or the CSI-Low Graduation Rate FAQs web page for more information.

    Previous Dashboard Technical Guides can also be found on the CDE CSI LEA Archives web page.

  5. When will the CDE notify LEAs of their schools' ESSA support determinations?
    In December 2025, the CDE notified LEAs statewide via the Public Release of the Data File for Schools that Meet the Criteria for Support and Improvement in 2025–26 in addition to the posting of the data file. The data file is available on the ESSA Assistance Status Data Files web page.

  6. Can schools be eligible for more than one ESSA school support category at a time?
    No. School support categories are hierarchical; therefore, schools can only be eligible for one support category at a time.

    For example, a school that meets the criteria for CSI would not be eligible for TSI or ATSI at the same time.

  7. Are schools with an N-size less than 30 eligible for CSI?
    Schools with an N-size less than 30 may be eligible for CSI. N-size refers to the total enrollment of students at the school.

  8. What if an LEA or school does not agree with a federal school support determination?
    Senate Bill 101 (2025 Budget Act), consistent with the ESSA State Plan approved by the State Board of Education, requires that funding eligibility determinations be made on a formula basis, with no provision for discretion or exception. Therefore, there is no appeal process for eligibility determinations. LEAs who fail to submit and certify accurate data will be provided with technical assistance focused on the LEA’s data management process pursuant to California Education Code (EC) Section 60900(f).

    For additional questions, please contact the Accountability Development and Policy Analysis Unit by email at Dashboard@cde.ca.gov.

Program Requirements

  1. What requirements apply to LEAs with schools that continue to meet the criteria for CSI?
    Upon receiving notification from the CDE, the LEA shall, for each school eligible for CSI, and in partnership with its educational partners, locally develop and implement a plan for the school to improve student outcomes. For more information, please see the Planning Requirements tab on this web page.

    Beginning with the release of the 2022 California School Dashboard and associated 2022–23 ESSA Assistance Status Data File, Dashboard Alternative School Status (DASS) Community of Practice (CoP) schools eligible for CSI based on Low Graduation Rate with less than 100 students enrolled, have the option to forgo implementation of all CSI-related improvement activities as stated in ESSA Section 1111 (d)(1)(B), at its DASS CoP CSI Low Graduation Rate school/s/.

    Please note, LEAs that choose to forgo the development or implementation of a CSI plan at its DASS CoP school/s/ eligible under the CSI Low Graduation Rate criteria as described above, will also forgo the School Improvement funding associated with that specific school/s/. It is also strongly encouraged that LEAs make this decision in collaboration with the DASS CoP CSI Low Graduation Rate school/s/ and its educational partners. Please read the FAQs on the DASS CoP tab for more information.

  2. How are federal and state planning requirements aligned?
    Assembly Bill 716, signed by the Governor on September 18, 2018, and codified in Education Code (EC) 64001–65001, streamlines and aligns state and federal planning processes. Effective January 1, 2019, this law renamed the Single Plan for Student Achievement to the School Plan. Additionally, the law contains the following key provisions:

    • It allows the School Plan to be used as the improvement plan for CSI, Targeted Support and Improvement, and ATSI under the ESSA.
    • It allows single school districts and charter schools to utilize the LCAP to serve as the School Plan, provided that the LCAP meets the federal school planning requirements and the stakeholder requirements established in EC subdivision (a) of Section 52062.

    In addition, LEAs with schools that meet the criteria for CSI will complete the CSI prompts located in the Plan Summary section of the LCAP.

    For more information about how to use the LCAP to meet CSI planning requirements, please review the CSI Planning Summary web page.

    School Plan and LCAP federal planning instructions are located on the CDE LCAP web page.

  3. If an LEA chooses to use ESSA, Section 1003 funding for CSI activities to meet its LCAP goals, is it required to report those funds in the LCAP?
    Yes. If ESSA, Section 1003 funds are used to implement actions and services to meet an articulated goal related to CSI activities in the LCAP, those funds must be included in the LCAP.

    LCAP instructions for CSI are located on the CDE LCAP web page.

  4. Can charter schools and single school districts use their LCAP instead of the School Plan to meet federal planning requirements?
    Yes. Effective January 1, 2019, Assembly Bill 716, codified in California Education Code 64001(j), states that “[s]ingle school districts and charter schools may utilize the LCAP to serve as the School Plan, provided that the LCAP meets federal school planning requirements and the stakeholder requirements…” Charter schools and single school districts may use their LCAP planning process and requirements to engage its educational partners or they may utilize the School Plan and establish a Schoolsite Council to meet the federal planning requirements. Note: This law does not change the requirement of a school with 21 or more students to have an English learner advisory committee.

    Additionally, beginning with the 2022 California School Dashboard, any LEA with a Dashboard Alternative School Status (DASS) Community of Practice (CoP) school/s/ identified under the CSI Low Graduation Rate criteria, regardless of the number of students enrolled, may also use the LCAP to meet its CSI planning requirements.

    For more information about how to use the LCAP to meet CSI planning requirements, please review the CSI Planning Summary web page.

    LCAP and School Plan instructions for CSI are located on the CDE LCAP web page.

  5. Do single school districts (including those with Dashboard Alternative School Status [DASS] Community of Practice [CoP] school/s/ eligible under the CSI Low Graduation Rate criteria) and direct-funded (DF) charter schools using the LCAP to meet CSI planning requirements need to complete the CSI prompts in the LCAP Plan Summary?
    Single school districts, including those with DASS CoP school/s/ eligible under the CSI Low Graduation Rate criteria, and DF charter schools do not need to complete the first CSI prompt (“Schools Identified”) in the LCAP Plan Summary as this prompt is not applicable.

    Single school districts (including those with DASS CoP school/s/ eligible under the CSI Low Graduation Rate criteria) and DF charter schools are still required to complete the second and third CSI prompts (“Support for Identified Schools” and “Monitoring and Evaluating Effectiveness”) in the LCAP Plan Summary, even though those prompts are not phrased for single-school districts and direct-funded charter schools.

    A single school district submits its LCAP to its COE for approval, as usual. A DF charter school is required to submit its LCAP Plan Summary with the completed CSI prompts to the COE in the county in which the charter school is located for approval of the CSI prompts.

    LCAP instructions for CSI are located on the CDE LCAP web page within the LCAP template.

  6. How do single school districts and charter schools that use the LCAP in place of the School Plan demonstrate the use of CSI funds in the LCAP Template and Action tables?
    Single school districts and charter schools using the LCAP in place of the School Plan shall include evidence-based interventions in the LCAP section titled “Goals and Actions”.

    And located in the “Data Entry Table” tab within the “LCAP Action Tables”, single school districts and charter schools utilizing the LCAP to meet federal school planning requirements shall include CSI funds as part of the total amount of federal funds in the “Federal Funds” column if used to implement a goal, action, or service as applicable.

    LCAP and School Plan instructions for CSI are located on the CDE LCAP web page.

  7. What is the COE role with charter schools that meet the criteria for CSI?
    Charter schools eligible for CSI will complete the CSI prompts in the Plan Summary section in the LCAP. The charter school will submit only the Plan Summary section of the LCAP to the County Superintendent of Schools of the county in which the charter school is located for review and approval of only the CSI prompts within the Plan Summary section of the charter school’s LCAP.

  8. What can a review of resource inequities include?
    A review of resource inequities examines whether schools have equitable access to key resources. Reviews can include but are not limited to:

    • Teachers and staff (i.e., experience, certification, and staffing levels, etc.)
    • Funding (distribution amounts to meet student needs)
    • Instructional materials (curriculum, textbooks, and enrichment opportunities)
    • Student supports (counselors, nurses, and other services)

School Improvement Funding

  1. What resources and assistance are available to support LEAs with schools that are eligible for CSI?
    The ESSA requires that the State annually reserve seven percent of its Title I, Part A allocation for school improvement. Of the seven percent that the State is required to reserve, not less than 95 percent of those funds will be distributed on the basis of a formula to LEAs with schools that are eligible for CSI.

    The LEA must use ESSA, Section 1003 funds to locally develop and implement a plan in each school eligible for CSI to improve student outcomes. The School Plan for Student Achievement or SPSA, and the LEA LCAP will be used to meet CSI planning requirements. Improvement interventions and strategies must align to the goals, actions, and services identified in the LEA LCAP.

    School Plan and LCAP federal planning instructions are located on the CDE LCAP web page.

    LEA allocations are based on California’s Title I, Part A yearly allocation and are contingent upon California budget authority.

  2. Are charter schools eligible for ESSA, Section 1003 school improvement funding?
    All LEAs with schools eligible for CSI are eligible to receive ESSA, Section 1003 funding. California’s ESSA State plan defines an LEA as a COE, school district, and direct-funded charter school.

  3. Which LEAs are eligible to receive ESSA, Section 1003 funding?
    LEAs with schools that continue to meet the criteria for CSI are eligible to apply for and receive ESSA, Section 1003 funding for school improvement.

  4. Is an application required to receive ESSA, Section 1003 school improvement funding for CSI?
    Section 1003(e) of the ESSA requires that an LEA shall submit to the State an application for ESSA, Section 1003 funding in order to receive an allocation. The first 2018‒19 ESSA CSI LEA Application for Funding was made available in February 2019, and annually thereafter. Applications for ESSA, Section 1003 funding will follow school support eligibility timelines that are determined by California’s ESSA State Plan.

    Please visit the CDE CSI LEA Applications for Funding web page for more information.

  5. How does the CDE allocate ESSA, Section 1003 school improvement funds to eligible LEAs?
    ESSA, Section 1003 funds are not competitive and are allocated to eligible LEAs based on a formula. LEAs with schools that are eligible for CSI will receive an allocation based on the total number of schools eligible for CSI, statewide.

  6. If an LEA chooses not to apply for/declines ESSA, Section 1003 school improvement funding, must it still meet the statutory planning requirements for CSI?
    Yes. If an LEA chooses not to apply for ESSA, Section 1003 funding, the LEA and its schools are still required to meet the statutory planning requirements for CSI, unless the LEA with a DASS CoP school eligible under the CSI-Low Graduation Rate criteria with less than 100 enrolled students chooses to forgo the implementation of school improvement activities pursuant to ESSA, Section 1111(d)(1)(C)(ii). Per subsection (1) of Section 1111(d) of the ESSA, LEAs with its educational partners are required to develop and implement a plan to improve student outcomes in its CSI-eligible schools.

    It is advantageous for the LEA to apply for ESSA, Section 1003 funding in order to receive additional resources and assistance to meet the ESSA plan development and implementation requirements.

  7. If an LEA plans to close a school that is eligible for CSI after it has received its ESSA, Section 1003 allocation, does the LEA have to return all or part of its allocation?
    If an LEA plans to close a school after it has received its ESSA, Section 1003 allocation, it must log into the GMART and submit a “School Closure” request. The CDE will use the California School Directory to confirm the date of the school’s closure.

    LEAs with two or more CSI-eligible schools will be required to redistribute any amounts allocated to the closed school to the LEA or its remaining CSI-eligible school/s/.

    If the LEA does not have any other open CSI-eligible schools to reallocate to, then the LEA must closeout the subgrant and may not expend any additional ESSA, Section 1003 school improvement funds as of the date of the school’s closure. The CDE will then determine whether the LEA must return all, part, or none of its allocation, based on the school closure date and expenditures claimed.

    Funds for CSI shall only be used for allowable expenditures, including expenditures related to School Plan development and implementation activities designed to improve student outcomes and may not be used to support school closure activities.

  8. Will an LEA with schools eligible for TSI or ATSI receive ESSA, Section 1003 funding?
    No. Only LEAs with schools that meet the criteria for CSI are eligible to apply for and receive ESSA, Section 1003 funding.

  9. The Legislature determined that ESSA, Section 1003 funds cannot be used to hire additional permanent staff. What was the purpose or intentof this stipulation?
    The legislative intent was not to ‘add a full-time equivalent (FTE)’ with ESSA, Section 1003 funding. Because this funding ends with each subgrant period, the LEA and its schools should not add a position that would not be sustainable in the absence of ESSA, Section 1003 funds.\

  10. Are Subscription-Based Information Technology Arrangements an allowable use of ESSA, Section 1003 school improvement funds for CSI?
    Yes. In May 2020, the Government Accounting Standards Board (GASB) issued Statement No. 96, Subscription-Based Information Technology Arrangements. GASB 96 is effective for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2023 and beyond. To support with reporting ESSA school improvement expenditures, the following object code was added to grant management reports:

    Object Code 6700-Subscription Assets

    Please refer to the CDE Financial Accountability & Information Services office at sacsinfo@cde.ca.gov for additional guidance.

  11. Where can I find more resources and information regarding allowable uses of ESSA, Section 1003 school improvement funds, including Capital Expenditures?
    For additional information about allowable uses of ESSA, Section 1003 school improvement funds for CSI, please refer to the CDE ESSA CSI LEA Authorized Use of Funds web page.

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DASS CoP

Overview of Dashboard Alternative School Status (DASS) Community of Practice (CoP)

DASS schools serve California’s highest risk students. DASS schools that meet eligibility criteria for CSI-Low Graduation Rate or CSI-Low Performing are referred to as DASS CoP schools.

The FAQs below review information related to DASS CoP schools and the CSI flexibilities available to DASS CoP schools that meet specific requirements.

  1. Can LEAs with DASS CoP schools eligible under the CSI-Low Graduation Rate criteria with less than 100 enrolled students forgo all CSI planning and implementation activities for these schools?
    Yes. LEAs with DASS CoP schools eligible under the CSI-Low Graduation Rate criteria with less than 100 enrolled students, have the option to forgo all required CSI planning and implementation activities. LEAs who exercise this flexibility will forfeit the ESSA, Section 1003 funds for CSI that would have otherwise been allocated to the LEA for its DASS CoP CSI-Low Graduation Rate school/s/.

  2. If an LEA with DASS CoP school/s/ eligible under the CSI-Low Graduation Rate criteria with less than 100 enrolled students opts to forgo all CSI planning and implementation activities for these schools, how do they reflect this decision in the CSI section of the LCAP Plan Summary?
    Any LEA (single school district, charter school, or traditional school district) with DASS CoP school/s/ eligible under the CSI-Low Graduation Rate criteria with less than 100 enrolled students that opts to forgo all CSI planning and implementation activities for these school/s/ must reflect this decision in the LCAP by adding the following statement to Prompt 1 of the CSI section of the LCAP Plan Summary:

    [NAME OF SCHOOL/S/], a Dashboard Alternative School Status Community of Practice school eligible for Comprehensive Support and Improvement Low Graduation Rate with less than 100 enrolled students, in collaboration with its local educational agency and educational partners, will forgo all improvement activities and applicable funding pursuant to the flexibility allowed by the Every Student Succeeds Act and approved by the California State Board of Education.

  3. Can LEAs with DASS CoP schools eligible under the CSI-Low Performing criteria regardless of enrollment size, forgo CSI planning and implementation activities for these schools?
    No. LEAs with DASS CoP schools eligible under the CSI-Low Performing criteria regardless of enrollment size, must continue to plan and implement CSI activities pursuant to ESSA Section 1111 (d)(1)(B) and do not have the option to forgo school improvement activities. The flexibility to forgo all CSI planning and implementation activities is only applicable to LEAs with DASS CoP schools eligible under the CSI-Low Graduation Rate criteria with less than 100 enrolled students.

  4. Can LEAs with DASS CoP schools eligible under the CSI-Low Performing criteria use the LCAP to meet its CSI planning requirements?
    No. Only LEAs with DASS CoP schools eligible under the CSI-Low Graduation Rate criteria have the option to use the LCAP to meet its CSI planning requirements.

    DASS CoP schools eligible under the CSI-Low Performing criteria must continue to use the School Plan for Student Achievement (or an alternative that meets federal planning requirements) to meet CSI planning requirements. However, if the DASS CoP school eligible under the CSI-Low Performing criteria is also a single school district or charter school, then it continues to have the option to use its LCAP.

  5. How do I access a current list of DASS schools?
    A current list of schools participating in the DASS program can be found on the CDE Active DASS Schools web page.

  6. How do I confirm the enrollment of a DASS CoP school?
    LEAs can confirm the enrollment of a DASS CoP school using the ESSA Assistance Status Data File.

  7. My LEA has decided to exercise the flexibility to forgo all school improvement activities for its DASS CoP school eligible under the CSI-Low Graduation Rate criteria with less than 100 enrolled students. What resources are available to support this school with its continuous improvement efforts?
    The CDE’s Continuous Improvement Resources web page contains various resources, tools, guides, and worksheets dedicated to continuous school improvement.

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CSI COE

Overview of CSI COE Programs

Below are FAQs related to COE Plan Approval (PA)/Plan Development and Implementation Support (PDIS) Program and COE PA/PDIS Funding.

COE PA/PDIS Program

  1. What support will the COE be required to provide to LEAs with schools eligible for CSI?
    COEs that are eligible to receive Plan Development and Implementation Support funding are required to support LEAs to meaningfully address their CSI plan development and implementation activities.

    COEs that are eligible to receive Plan Approval funding are required to review and approve the CSI prompts in the LEA LCAP Plan Summary.

    Beginning with FY 2021‒22 and moving forward, information for ESSA CSI COE subgrants is located on the CSI COE Program Information web page.

  2. Which CSI Plans do the FY 2025 ESSA school improvement funds support?
    CSI Plan Development and Implementation Activities (Schedule 1): 2025–26 ESSA school improvement funds for CSI support development and implementation activities for the 2026–27 CSI plans. In most LEAs, CSI plan development activities begin as early as winter/spring 2026. It is the expectation that CSI plan implementation should begin by the first day of the 2026–27 school year.

    CSI Prompt Review and Approval Activities (Provision 11 of Schedule 2): 2025–26 ESSA school improvement funds support the review and approval process of CSI prompts in 2026–27 LEA LCAPs.

  3. Will COEs apply for funding and report expenditures using the Grant Management and Reporting Tool (GMART) as in the past?
    Yes. At this time, there are no changes to the platform with which the COE will use to apply for ESSA school improvement funds and report expenditures. The GMART is designed to allow the COE to apply for each $5 million allocation through separate applications and report expenditures separately.

  4. When will the applications for funding be available and COEs notified?
    The 2025–26 ESSA CSI COE Plan Development and Implementation Support and Plan Approval Applications for Funding will be released in January 2026. Prior to the applications becoming available, communications are sent regarding timelines, guidance, and webinars.

  5. What happens if a COE declines ESSA school improvement funds?
    Regardless of whether or not the COE elects to accept funding, the COE is expected to offer CSI plan development and implementation support and/or CSI plan review and approval to all LEAs in its county with schools eligible for CSI.

  6. Are COEs expected to provide CSI plan development and implementation support to charter schools eligible for CSI?
    Yes. The COE is expected to offer support to all LEAs in its county with schools eligible for CSI, including charter schools, including charter schools.

  7. What support will the COE be required to provide to LEAs with schools eligible for CSI?
    COEs that are eligible to receive Plan Development and Implementation Support funding are required to support LEAs to meaningfully address their CSI plan development and implementation activities.

    COEs that are eligible to receive Plan Approval funding are required to review and approve the CSI prompts in the LEA LCAP Plan Summary.

    Beginning with FY 2021‒22 and moving forward, information for ESSA CSI COE subgrants is located on the CSI COE Program Information web page.


COE PA/PDIS Funding

  1. Which COEs are eligible to receive funding to support CSI activities within their county?
    Those COEs with one or more LEAs within its county with schools eligible for CSI are eligible to receive funding for the Plan Development and Implementation Support Subgrant.

    Those COEs that review and approve LEA LCAPs with included CSI Prompts are eligible for the Plan Approval Subgrant.

  2. How does the CDE allocate ESSA, Section 1003 funds to eligible COEs?
    The CDE awards ESSA, Section 1003 funds on the basis of a formula. COEs that are eligible for school improvement funding for CSI will receive an allocation based on the total number of schools eligible for CSI, statewide.

  3. Is an application required for COEs to receive funding for CSI activities?
    In order to receive each fiscal year’s funding, eligible COEs must submit to the CDE an application for funding in the Grant Management and Reporting Tool. The application for funding is an annual process. Applications for funding will follow CSI eligibility timelines that are determined by federal grant management requirements and California’s Accountability and Continuous Improvement System.

  4. Can funding that the COE receives to support CSI activities be used to support TSI or ATSI activities?
    Funding that the COE receives to support CSI activities can only be used to support CSI activities. Additional funding is currently not available to support TSI or ATSI activities.

  5. Can the COE increase either of its $5 million CSI allotments with the other $5 million CSI allotment?
    No. The COE must agree that it will not increase its ESSA, Section 1003 funding for the purposes of supporting development and implementation of CSI plans for LEAs with its ESSA, Section 1003 funding for the purposes of review and approval of CSI plans through the CSI prompts in the LEA LCAP.

    Likewise, the COE must agree that it will not increase its ESSA, Section 1003 funding for the purposes of review and approval of CSI plans through the CSI prompts in the LEA LCAP with its ESSA, Section 1003 funding for the purposes of supporting development and implementation of CSI plans for LEAs.

    The COE must track and manage separately these two ESSA, Section 1003 allotments and not demonstrate an increase in either award total.

  6. Where can I find more CSI COE fiscal information?
    CSI COE fiscal information is located on the CSI COE Fiscal Information web page.

  7. How much funding is provided to COEs for the purposes of supporting development and implementation of CSI plans for LEAs?
    The 2025 Budget Act appropriates $5 million to COEs for the purposes of supporting the development and implementation of CSI plans for LEAs.

  8. How much funding is available to COEs for the purposes of approving CSI plans through review and approval of the CSI prompts in the LEA LCAP?
    The 2025 Budget Act appropriates $5 million to COEs for the purposes of approving CSI plans through review and approval of the CSI Prompts in the LEA LCAP.

  9. How is the COE apportionment determined?
    The COE apportionments are determined by a formula based on the total number of schools eligible for CSI, statewide.

  10. When will the 2025–26 ESSA school improvement funds for CSI be distributed to COEs?
    The first apportionment of FY 2025 funds is processed in the spring of 2026.

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TSI/ATSI

TSI & ATSI Program Overview

ESSA requires state educational agencies to determine school eligibility for TSI and ATSI. Schools eligible for TSI and ATSI must collaborate with educational partners to develop and implement a school-level plan to improve student outcomes.

Below are FAQs related to TSI/ATSI eligibility and TSI/ATSI planning.

TSI/ATSI Eligibility

  1. What is the difference between TSI and ATSI?
    The differences between TSI and ATSI are in the determination cycle, exit criteria, and planning requirements.

    Determination cycle: TSI determinations are made in non-CSI/ATSI entry years. ATSI determinations are made on a three-year cycle that began with the 2023 California School Dashboard.

    Exit: While ATSI has specific exit criteria (schools must no longer meet ATSI entry criteria and meet specific improvement conditions), TSI is an annual determination and does not have exit criteria. As such, if a TSI-eligible school no longer meets the TSI entry criteria, the school will no longer be eligible for TSI.

    Planning: TSI and ATSI improvement plans must meet federal planning requirements, but the ATSI plan must also include the identification of resource inequities. More information about TSI and ATSI planning requirements is available on the Planning Requirements tab of the CDE TSI/ATSI web page.

  2. Which schools are eligible for TSI?
    All schools (traditional, charter, Dashboard Alternative School Status, Title I, and non-Title I) with two consecutive years of Dashboard outcomes that meet the TSI criteria could become eligible if it is a TSI determination year. TSI determinations are made in non-CSI/ATSI entry years. TSI determinations were made based on the results of the 2025 Dashboard. More eligibility information for ESSA school support determinations, including TSI, is available in the Dashboard Technical Guide which can be accessed on the Technical Information tab of the CDE Dashboard Resources web page.

  3. Which schools are eligible for ATSI?
    All schools (traditional, charter, Dashboard Alternative School Status, Title I, and non-Title I) with two consecutive years of Dashboard outcomes that meet the ATSI criteria could become eligible if it is an ATSI determination year. ATSI determinations are made on a three-year cycle beginning with the 2023 Dashboard. More eligibility information for ESSA school support determinations, including ATSI, is available in the Dashboard Technical Guide which can be accessed on the Technical Information tab of the CDE Dashboard Resources web page.

  4. How will the CDE determine school eligibility for TSI and ATSI?
    The CDE will use the Dashboard state indicators to determine school eligibility for TSI and ATSI. Schools with one or more student group/s/ that meet the same criteria used to determine CSI-Low Performing will be eligible for TSI or ATSI depending on the school support categories being determined in a given year. TSI determinations are made in non-CSI/ATSI entry years beginning with the 2024 Dashboard. ATSI determinations are made on a three-year cycle beginning with the 2023 Dashboard.

    Local educational agencies, county offices of education, and charter schools can find information about their ESSA school support eligibility status on the most recent ESSA Assistance Status Data File. More information is available in the Dashboard Technical Guide which can be accessed on the Technical Information tab of the CDE Dashboard Resources web page.

    Note: The California School Dashboard Technical Guides for previous school years can be viewed on the CSI LEA Archives web page.

  5. Can schools be eligible for more than one ESSA school support category at a time?
    No. ESSA school support categories are hierarchical; therefore, schools can only be eligible for one support category at a time.

    As examples:

    • A school that meets the criteria for ATSI would not be eligible for CSI-Low Graduation Rate or CSI-Low Performing at the same time.
    • A school that meets the criteria for ATSI cannot be eligible for TSI at the same time.

  6. How often is school eligibility determined for ATSI?
    ATSI determinations are made on a three-year cycle, that is, once every three years. The most recent ATSI determinations were made based on the results of the 2023 Dashboard. As such, the next ATSI determinations will be made based on the results of the 2026 Dashboard.

  7. How often is school eligibility determined for TSI?
    TSI determinations are made in non-CSI and non-ATSI entry years. The first TSI determinations were made based on the results of the 2024 Dashboard. TSI determinations were made again this year, based on the results of the 2025 Dashboard.

  8. How often can schools exit from TSI or ATSI?
    If ATSI-eligible schools meet the identified ATSI exit criteria, they have the opportunity to exit ATSI annually. TSI is an annual determination and does not have exit criteria. As such, if a TSI-eligible school no longer meets the TSI entry criteria, the school will no longer be eligible for TSI.

  9. What student groups are used to determine school eligibility for TSI and ATSI?
    TSI and ATSI eligibility is based on the performance of the following student groups:

    • Black/African American
    • American Indian/Alaska Native
    • Asian American
    • English Learner Students
    • Filipino
    • Foster Youth Students
    • Hispanic
    • Homeless Students
    • Two or More Races
    • Pacific Islander
    • Socioeconomically Disadvantaged Students
    • Students with Disabilities
    • White

    TSI determinations are made in non-CSI/ATSI entry years beginning with the 2024 California School Dashboard. ATSI determinations are made on a three-year cycle beginning with the 2023 California School Dashboard.

    More information about how student groups are evaluated to make TSI and ATSI school support determinations is available in the Dashboard Technical Guide which can be accessed on the Technical Information tab of the CDE Dashboard Resources web page.

  10. What if an LEA or school does not agree with a federal school support determination?
    SB 101 (2025 Budget Act), consistent with the ESSA State Plan approved by the State Board of Education, requires that funding eligibility determinations be made on a formula basis, with no provision for discretion or exception. Therefore, there is no appeal process for eligibility determinations. LEAs who fail to submit and certify accurate data will be provided with technical assistance focused on the LEA’s data management process pursuant to California Education Code Section 60900(f).

    For additional questions, please contact the Accountability Development and Policy Analysis Unit by email at Dashboard@cde.ca.gov.


TSI/ATSI Planning

  1. How will a school be notified that it is eligible for TSI or ATSI?
    California will notify each LEA in the State of any school served by the LEA, in which any student group is consistently underperforming.

    Upon notification by the State, the LEA is required to:

    Provide notification to such school with respect to which student group/s/ in such school are consistently underperforming.

  2. What requirements apply to LEAs with schools eligible for TSI or ATSI?
    Upon receiving notification from the CDE, the LEA shall, for each school eligible for TSI or ATSI:

    • Provide notification to such school with respect to which student group/s/ in such school are consistently underperforming.
    • Approve and monitor the implementation of each school plan.
    • Take any additional action following unsuccessful implementation of such school plan after a number of years determined by the LEA.

  3. What requirements apply to schools eligible for TSI or ATSI?
    Upon notification by the LEA, each TSI- or ATSI-eligible school is required to collaborate with educational partners to develop and implement a school-level plan to improve student outcomes.

    The school plan, inclusive of all student groups that were the subject of notification, must:

    • Be based on indicators in the statewide accountability system and be informed by all indicators, including student performance against long-term goals; and
    • Include evidence-based interventions.

    For ATSI-eligible schools only, the school plan must also:

    • Identify resource inequities, which may include a review of LEA- and school-level budgeting, to be addressed through implementation of the school improvement plan

  4. What planning options are available to TSI or ATSI-eligible Special Education programs/schools that do not use a School Plan for Student Achievement (SPSA) or LCAP?
    Special Education programs/schools have the flexibility to meet the TSI and ATSI federal planning requirements using one of three options. Options for addressing the TSI and ATSI planning requirements include:

    • Option 1: Use the CDE’s SPSA template and instructions to address TSI or ATSI planning requirements. If the SPSA template is completed according to the provided instructions, and the SPSA is implemented with fidelity, TSI or ATSI planning requirements would be met, as applicable.
    • Option 2: Review the Special Education Local Plan Area (SELPA) to see if the plan addresses any of the TSI or ATSI planning requirements. If there are areas the SELPA does not address, additional information regarding the TSI or ATSI planning requirements can be provided.
    • Option 3: Develop a TSI or ATSI plan using a format of choice to address the TSI or ATSI planning requirements. If a school elects to use its own template to document its school improvement efforts, then it must ensure that its template/process addresses all federal school improvement planning requirements for TSI or ATSI, as applicable.

  5. Are Dashboard Alternative School Status (DASS) schools with less than 100 students enrolled exempted from implementation of TSI or ATSI activities?
    No. DASS schools with less than 100 students enrolled are not exempted from school improvement planning and implementation activities for TSI or ATSI.

  6. How do eligible single school districts and charter schools integrate the TSI or ATSI plan into the LCAP?
    The TSI/ATSI Planning Summary may serve as a resource for single school districts and charter schools using the LCAP as their TSI or ATSI plan.

  7. When must the TSI or ATSI plan be approved?
    There is no statutory requirement for the approval/implementation of the TSI or ATSI plan or the School Plan for Student Achievement, however, the U.S. Department of Education has set the expectation for TSI and ATSI plans to be developed and approved at the local level (school and LEA) by the start of the school year. This is to ensure that students and the school receive a full year of intervention and support consistent with the LEA’s TSI or ATSI plan for that school.

  8. Are ESSA, Section 1003 funds available to support schools eligible for TSI or ATSI?
    No. School improvement funds are not available to support TSI and ATSI activities.

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Questions:   School Improvement and Support Office | SISO@cde.ca.gov | 916-319-0833
Last Reviewed: Thursday, March 5, 2026