Additional Targeted Support and Improvement (ATSI) Schools

Supporting Equity and Excellence in Every School

Prince George’s County Public Schools (PGCPS) is committed to ensuring that every student has access to a high-quality education and the support needed to succeed. Schools identified for Additional Targeted Support and Improvement (ATSI) receive focused support from PGCPS and the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) to help close achievement gaps for specific student groups.

ATSI schools have at least one student group performing as low as the lowest-performing Title I schools in Maryland. These designations are part of the state’s accountability process under the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) of 2015.

How ATSI Schools Are Identified

MSDE identifies ATSI schools every three years using data from Maryland’s Accountability System. For example, ATSI identifications for the 2022–2023 school year were based on 2021–2022 school year data.

Identification Criteria

A school is identified as ATSI when one or more student groups perform as low as the lowest-performing 5% of Title I schools in the state.

• Racial and ethnic groups
• Students who are economically disadvantaged
• Students with disabilities
• English Learners (ELs)

Any school—Title I or non-Title I—may be identified as an ATSI school if it meets these criteria.

Support for ATSI Schools

PGCPS partners with each ATSI school to provide targeted supports and resources that address opportunity gaps and promote academic growth.

• Collaboration and coaching from PGCPS and MSDE teams
• Technical assistance and professional learning for educators and leaders
• Development of a School Improvement Plan, reviewed and approved annually by PGCPS
• Grant funding for evidence-based programs, instructional strategies, and interventions

These supports are designed to meet the unique needs of each school and ensure sustainable improvement for identified student groups.

Exiting ATSI Status

Schools identified as ATSI in 2022–2023 may be eligible to exit in 2026–2027, based on 2025–2026 accountability data.

A school exits ATSI status when:

• The identified student group no longer performs as low as the lowest-performing 5% of Title I schools, and
• No other student group falls below that performance threshold.

Continued Support for Non-Exiting Schools

The goal for every ATSI school is to improve student outcomes, eliminate disparities, and exit ATSI status within three years.

If a school does not meet the exit criteria, PGCPS and MSDE provide enhanced supports to accelerate progress. If an ATSI school is also a Title I school and a student group continues performing as low as the Comprehensive Support and Improvement (CSI) Lowest-Performing schools for two consecutive cycles, it is reclassified as a CSI Low-Performing Student Group School.

Our Commitment

PGCPS is dedicated to educational equity, excellence, and continuous improvement. Through collaboration with families, staff, and community partners, we are working to ensure that every student is prepared for success in college, careers, and life.