Targeted/Additional Targeted Support & Improvement

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.

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 California School Dashboard (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 beginning with the 2024 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 California School Dashboard (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 California School Dashboard (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. The file of school support determinations based on the 2024 Dashboard will be available in late 2024/early 2025. More information on 2024 TSI and ATSI eligibility and exit criteria is available for reference in the 2024 California School Dashboard Technical Guide: ESSA School Support (DOCX).

   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 California School Dashboard (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 will be made based on the results of the 2024 California School Dashboard (Dashboard). TSI determinations will be made again the following 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.

Planning Questions

1. How will a school be notified that it is eligible for TSI or ATSI?

   California will notify each local educational agency (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 local educational agencies (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 local educational agency [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.