Middle School Comprehensive Education Plan

Purpose

Liberty Central School District
Grades Served: 5-8

The Liberty Middle School Comprehensive Education Plan (SCEP) outlines the school’s priorities, goals, instructional strategies, and support systems designed to improve student achievement, engagement, attendance, and well-being during the 2026-2027 school year.

About the Plan

SCEP Development Team

The plan was collaboratively developed by:

• Dr. Derek Adams, Assistant Superintendent
• Heather Cheh, Principal
• Katlyn Rusin, Assistant Principal
• Dr. Jodie Mackrell, Assistant Principal
• Benjamin Abrams, Special Education Teacher
• Danielle Cummins, Special Education Teacher
• Melissa Murphy, ELA Teacher
• Samantha Abplanalp, ELA Teacher
• Aeowyn Brust, ENL Teacher

In partnership with Liberty Middle School students, staff, and families.

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Section 1: Shared Vision for Teaching and Learning

High-Quality Tier 1 Instruction

Liberty Central School District believes every student should experience rigorous, meaningful learning every day.

Our Definition

High-quality Tier 1 instruction includes:

• Explicit Direct Instruction (EDI)
• Specially Designed Instruction (SDI)
• Inclusive educational practices
• Standards-aligned curriculum
• Student-centered learning opportunities
• Ongoing formative assessment
• Equitable access to grade-level content

District Non-Negotiables

Teachers will:

• Teach district curriculum with fidelity
• Use learning targets and essential questions
• Require verbal and written student responses
• Incorporate higher-order thinking and DOK Level 3+ tasks
• Utilize formative and summative assessments
• Differentiate instruction based on student needs
• Promote student voice and choice

Expected Student Experience

Students will:

• Engage in collaborative learning
• Explain their thinking
• Use academic vocabulary
• Participate in discussions
• Solve authentic problems
• Reflect on their learning progress

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Section 2: Instructional Priorities

Key Strategy 1: Student Engagement, Collaboration, and Academic Discourse

Focus

Increase opportunities for students to:

• Explain their thinking
• Engage in meaningful academic discussions
• Collaborate with peers
• Participate in authentic learning experiences

Goal 1: Academic Growth

By June 2027:

Increase student proficiency in ELA and Mathematics by at least 5% from Fall 2026 to Spring 2027, as measured by NWEA MAP Growth.

Goal 2: Engagement and Instructional Practices

By June 2027:

85% of classroom walkthroughs will show evidence of:

• Active student engagement
• Academic discourse
• Collaborative learning
• Effective use of EDI and SDI practices
• Learning targets and success criteria

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Key Strategy 2: Formative Assessment and Responsive Instruction

Focus

Strengthen teachers’ ability to:

• Monitor student understanding in real time
• Use checks for understanding
• Adjust instruction responsively
• Analyze assessment data collaboratively

Goal 3: Formative Assessment

By June 2027:

90% of teachers will consistently use formative assessment evidence to:

• Inform instruction
• Plan interventions
• Provide enrichment
• Monitor student growth

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Professional Learning

Teacher Collaborative Learning Structures

Professional Learning Communities (PLCs)

Frequency

• Weekly PLC meetings
• Monthly PLC reviews
• Quarterly data analysis meetings

Focus Areas

Teachers will:

• Analyze student work
• Review assessment data
• Examine instructional practices
• Develop common assessments
• Share engagement strategies

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Learning with Experts

Opportunities Include:

• Instructional coaching
• Peer observations
• Consultant support
• Model classroom visits
• Faculty learning sessions
• Professional book studies

Professional Learning Theme

The Meaningful Middle School Classroom: How to Spark Engagement That Fosters Deep Learning

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Implementation Plan

Before School Opens

Summer 2026 Priorities

• Review assessment findings
• Share SCEP expectations
• Establish PLC calendars
• Create instructional “look-fors”
• Train teacher facilitators
• Prepare opening-day faculty presentations

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Year One Implementation

Semester 1

• Collaborative learning training
• MTSS implementation training
• Data analysis protocols
• Classroom walkthroughs
• Student focus groups
• Peer observations

Semester 2

• Ongoing coaching cycles
• Progress monitoring
• Engagement data analysis
• Instructional refinement
• Student ownership initiatives

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Schoolwide Leadership Structures

Instructional Leadership Team

Schoolwide Instructional Monitoring Cycle

Leadership teams will:

• Conduct weekly walkthroughs
• Review classroom practices
• Analyze student performance data
• Monitor curriculum implementation
• Adjust professional development supports

PLC and Assessment Review Process

The Building Instructional Leadership Team will:

• Review PLC documentation
• Analyze NWEA and LinkIt data
• Monitor implementation of key strategies
• Evaluate instructional effectiveness

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Every Student Thrives

MTSS Student Support and Belonging Process

Areas of Support

• Academic intervention
• Behavioral intervention
• Attendance support
• Social-emotional learning
• Counseling services
• ENL services
• DESSA-informed supports

Student Support Systems

• MTSS Team Meetings
• WINN Period
• Counseling Services
• Liberty Partnership Program
• After-School Tutoring
• Restorative Practices

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Student Voice, Leadership, and Connectedness

Programs

• Leader in Me
• Student Lighthouse Team
• Student-Led Conferences
• Leadership Celebrations
• Honor Roll Recognition
• Service Learning Opportunities
• Cross-Cultural Celebrations

Desired Outcomes

Students will:

• Feel connected to school
• Demonstrate leadership skills
• Participate in extracurricular activities
• Set and monitor personal goals
• Build positive relationships

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Attendance Improvement

Attendance Monitoring and Early Intervention

Attendance Supports

• Daily attendance monitoring
• Family outreach
• Counseling services
• MTSS referrals
• Attendance intervention plans
• Reentry meetings
• Operation Success Program

Attendance Goal

Improve student attendance by strengthening:

• Student engagement
• Family partnerships
• School connectedness
• Access to supports

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Family Partnership Process

The school will:

• Communicate regularly through ParentSquare
• Conduct outreach meetings
• Identify attendance barriers early
• Connect families to community resources
• Develop individualized attendance supports

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Progress Monitoring

Success Measures

The school will regularly monitor:

Student Outcomes

• NYS Assessments
• NWEA MAP Growth
• CFA and CSA Results
• LinkIt Data
• Student Surveys
• Attendance Data

Teacher Outcomes

• Walkthrough Data
• PLC Documentation
• Lesson Planning Evidence
• Assessment Practices
• Student Engagement Indicators

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Survey Indicators

Teacher Perceptions

• Shared understanding of quality instruction
• Reinforcement of instructional expectations
• Rigor of classroom learning tasks

Student Perceptions

• Sense of belonging
• Academic challenge
• Learning engagement
• Supportive relationships

Family Perceptions

• Student support systems
• School connectedness
• Attendance support effectiveness

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Contact Information

Liberty Middle School
Liberty Central School District

For additional information regarding the School Comprehensive Education Plan, please contact the school administration office.

Reference

Liberty Middle School. (2026). School Comprehensive Education Plan 2026-2027. Liberty Central School District. [Liberty Mi…SCEP .docx | PDF]

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Vision for 2026-2027

By June 2027, Liberty Middle School students will be engaged learners who think critically, collaborate effectively, monitor their own growth, and feel connected to their school community. Teachers will provide rigorous, standards-based instruction that supports the success of every student.

SCEP Development Team Meeting Dates

• Meeting 1: Systems & Structures Self-Assessment: May 4, 2026
• Meeting 2: Teacher Survey Review: May 21, 2026
• Meeting 3: Variations in Data: May 27, 2026
• Meeting 4: Student Interviews: June 5, 2026
• Meeting 4A: Family Focus Groups: June 9, 2026
• Meeting 5: Plan Writing: May 22, 25, 26, and June 1, 8, 10, 15, 2026
• Meeting 6: Plan Finalization: June 22, 26, and 29, 2026

Recurring Meetings During 2026-27

The plan also schedules ongoing meetings:

• Weekly PLC Meetings
• Monthly PLC Meetings
• Weekly MTSS Student Support Meetings
• Monthly Faculty Meetings
• Weekly Walkthroughs
• Monthly Attendance Team Meetings
• Weekly Attendance Monitoring Meetings
• Quarterly Data Reviews
• Quarterly Assessment Reviews
• Quarterly Peer Observations
• Monthly MTSS Leadership Team Meetings

Collaboratively Developed by:

• The Liberty Middle School SCEP Development Team
  • Dr. Derek Adams, Liberty Central School District Assistant Superintendent and District Liaison
  • Heather Cheh, Liberty Middle School Principal
  • Katlyn Rusin, Liberty Middle School Assistant Principal
  • Dr. Jodie Mackrell, Liberty Middle School Assistant Principal
  • Benjamin Abrams, Liberty Middle School Special Education Teacher
  • Danielle Cummins, Liberty Middle School Special Education Teacher
  • Melissa Murphy, Liberty Middle School ELA Teacher
  • Samantha Abplanalp, Liberty Middle School ELA Teacher
  • Aeowyn Brust, Liberty Elementary School Assistant Principal

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