JACKSON, MISSISSIPPI — Alcorn Central Middle School (ACMS) and the Alcorn School District were proud to be featured presenters at the Mississippi Department of Education’s “The Time is Right: Improving Outcomes for Students with Disabilities” conference, held June 16–18 in Jackson.
Special Education Director Snookey Boren and ACMS Principal Travis Smith led a session titled “The Great Escape,” detailing how ACMS successfully exited school improvement status—an exceptional accomplishment for any school. What made this achievement even more remarkable is that ACMS entered the process already performing well, with a B rating. Because schools showing higher overall performance often face a greater challenge in demonstrating the growth required to exit school improvement, moving from a B to an A rating during the most recent accountability cycle reflects both strategic planning and a deep commitment to student success.
The Mississippi Department of Education identifies schools for Targeted Support and Improvement (TSI) when subgroups of students—such as those receiving special education services—show persistent performance gaps. Exiting this status requires a clear, sustained, data-informed plan.
Mr. Smith and Mrs. Boren emphasized that success in the ACMS plan was rooted in data-driven decision-making, collaboration, and a student-centered culture. Their presentation detailed how the school:
· Analyzed multi-year data to identify key academic gaps, with reading emerging as the most urgent need.
· Launched a new reading program, supported by additional units and staffing funded through school improvement resources.
· Trained teachers and administrators on MAAP processes, scoring, and data tracking—ensuring both special education and general education teams monitored progress collaboratively using consistent tools.
· Tracked progress through multiple lenses: IEP goals, MAAP benchmarks, and targeted instructional minutes.
· Embraced a philosophy that “minutes of instruction are not always minutes of instruction”—focusing on quality over quantity.
The team also shared how ACMS built a culture of true collaboration, emphasizing full inclusion, purposeful co-teaching, and shared responsibility. Special education teachers were fully integrated into PLCs, grade-level planning, and professional development, with dedicated time protected during the school day for meaningful collaboration.
One of the most effective practices discussed was the use of “Boot Camps”—intentional, engaging academic support sessions held ahead of benchmark assessments. These provided general education teachers with time and space to work directly with struggling students, reinforcing the belief that all teachers share responsibility for all students.
Equally important was the school’s relationship-based approach to family engagement and emotional wellness. Parent contact was redefined to focus on support rather than problems, helping families feel like true partners in the work.
“We were pleased to have the opportunity to share the strategies that worked for ACMS with other school leaders from across Mississippi,” said Principal Travis Smith. “This work is not easy, but it’s absolutely worth it to make certain our students are getting what they need to succeed.”
Mrs. Boren and Mr. Smith concluded their session with a clear message: All students—including those receiving special education services—deserve our best in planning, instruction, and heart. At ACMS and across the Alcorn School District, that mission is fully embraced and shared.
The presentation exemplified the district’s commitment to learning together, leading responsibly, and building excellence—and fulfilled its promise to Learn, Lead, EXCEL!