Alignment with federal models
SetPoint fits the criteria for several federal programs for which funding is available to help struggling schools.
Race to the Top
SetPoint sustainable transformation meets or exceeds the criteria for the “transformation” model outlined under this program making up to $4.5 billion available to states on a competitive basis.
School Improvement Grants
SetPoint sustainable transformation meets or exceeds the criteria for the “transformation’ model outlined under this expansion of the Title I school improvement program, under which $3.5 billion is available for assisting the “lowest 5%” of schools - the group whose needs the SetPoint program of intensive intervention is specifically targeted to serve.
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA)
Overall, SetPoint supports the “four assurances” required of all uses of ARRA funding: 1) College- and career-ready standards, and valid and reliable assessments, for all students; 2) High-quality data systems; 3) Teacher effectiveness; 4) Intensive support for lowest-performing schools. In addition to following the letter of ARRA guidelines, SetPoint supports its spirit, which is to generate permanent improvement rather than dependency. Investment in the SetPoint program creates sustainable change that will survive the intensive improvement period and require little continued cost once the transformation is complete. The policies and procedures established by the SetPoint program remain in place after the engagement, with the only ongoing cost being the maintenance of software and hardware.
Response to Intervention (RTI)
The elements of the SetPoint program are equivalent to a schoolwide implementation of the RTI model, including regular screening and progress monitoring, tiered increases in time and intensity of interventions based on achievement levels, and flexible scheduling to facilitate individualized instruction.
STAR Reading, STAR Math, and STAR Early Literacy received the highest rating of “Convincing Direct Evidence” in eight of nine categories for progress monitoring tools reviewed by the U.S. Department of Education’s National Center on Response to Intervention (NCRTI). STAR Reading and STAR Early Literacy also received the highest ratings in three individual categories for screening reading, the most of any reviewed products. Accelerated Math was the only tool rated for use as a mastery measurement by NCRTI.