Chad Gillis

The Unicoi County School District's goals focus on improving student proficiency in English Language Arts (ELA) and mathematics, and increasing the number of students meeting the Ready Graduate designation. Goal 1 aims to achieve 70% proficiency in 3rd grade ELA TCAP by 2030, with incremental annual increases. Goal 2 targets 55.5% proficiency in grades 6-8 math TCAP by 2028, also with incremental annual improvements. Goal 3 seeks to have 60.8% of high school students meet Ready Graduate requirements by 2028, focusing on ACT benchmarks, early post-secondary opportunities, and increasing the federal graduation rate. The district plans to utilize TISA funds for teacher salaries, instructional materials, intervention services, and professional development to support these goals.

The Unicoi County Schools Foundational Literacy Skills Plan focuses on improving literacy skills for students in grades K-5. The plan details daily instruction using Amplify CKLA, a foundational skills curriculum aligned with Tennessee ELA standards. Instruction includes explicit foundational skills and language instruction, vocabulary acquisition, background knowledge building, and fostering conversational skills. The plan also outlines supplemental materials, universal reading screeners (i-Ready and aimswebPlus), and a multi-tiered system of support (RTI) to address student needs. Professional development for teachers includes state-sponsored early literacy courses and ongoing support through partnerships with TNTP and the Literacy Implementation Network. The plan emphasizes a data-driven approach to identify and address student needs, with regular parent communication and home literacy support.

The 2021-2022 Temple Hill Elementary School-Parent Compact outlines how families and teachers will collaborate to ensure students meet grade-level standards. It focuses on improving chronic absenteeism, literacy, and math skills. Strategies include high-quality instruction, family communication (via Class Dojo, home connection folders, and parent events), and individualized learning plans. The compact emphasizes building partnerships between home and school to support student success.

The 2020-2025 Strategic Plan for Unicoi County Schools focuses on four key goals: effective literacy instruction K-12, effective math instruction K-12, college and career readiness, and addressing chronic absenteeism. The plan details strategies to improve literacy and math instruction through high-quality curriculum, targeted support structures, and interventions for learning loss and acceleration. College and career readiness initiatives include strengthening ACT preparation, expanding access to Early Postsecondary Opportunities (EPSOs) and industry certifications, and increasing graduation rates. Addressing chronic absenteeism involves professional development on school climate and attendance, improved communication with families and the community, and early intervention strategies. The plan uses benchmark indicators and action steps to measure progress toward each goal.