The Carlisle Area School District's Committee Board Meeting on August 7, 2025, focused on the progress and future plans of Wilson Middle School as it enters the final year of its Targeted Support and Improvement (ATSI) plan. The meeting highlighted the school's achievements in enhancing English language proficiency among its students, particularly those in the English Language Development (ELD) program.

Principal Jake Evans introduced the Wilson Middle School team, including new ELD supervisor Tiffany Lessard and assistant principal Christine Casay, along with teachers Laura Strickland and Carolyn Steele. The team presented data reflecting significant improvements in student proficiency levels, as assessed by the WIDA ACCESS test, which evaluates students in speaking, listening, reading, and writing.

The presentation revealed that nearly 50% of ELD students scored at levels 4, 5, and 6, indicating higher proficiency in English. This stability in performance is notable given the changing demographics of the student body, with only six students remaining in the same cohort over the three years of the ATSI plan. The data also showed that all repeat test takers improved or maintained their proficiency levels, underscoring the effectiveness of the school's instructional strategies.

The meeting further discussed the importance of addressing the needs of long-term English learners (LTELs) and newcomers, who are students in the U.S. for less than a year. The school aims to enhance support for these groups to help them achieve higher proficiency levels.

As the meeting concluded, the board expressed optimism about the progress made at Wilson Middle School and the potential for continued improvement as they prepare to approve the final year's plan later this month. The commitment to refining instructional methods and supporting diverse student needs remains a priority for the district.