Table of Contents
Liberty Middle School – School Comprehensive Education Plan (SCEP) 2026-2027
Liberty Central School District
Grades Served: 5-8
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Purpose
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.
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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]
Academics Links
Stakeholder Participation
Background
The DCIP must be developed in consultation with parents, school staff, and others in accordance with §100.11 of Commissioner’s Regulations.
Team Members
- 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
Meeting Dates
- May 4, 2026: Systems & Structures Self-Assessment
- May 21, 2026: Teacher Survey Review
- May 27, 2026: Data Analysis Review
- June 5, 2026: Student Interviews & Feedback Review
- June 9, 2026: Family Focus Groups
- May-June 2026: Plan Writing & Development Sessions
- June 22-29, 2026: Plan Finalization & Approval Process
Districts with Schools Identified for TSI/ATSI Supports Only
Stakeholder Group:
How Have the Perspectives of this Group been Incorporated into the DCIP?
The perspectives of this stakeholder group were incorporated into the DCIP through participation in planning meetings, review of academic, attendance, behavioral, and survey data, and discussions focused on instructional priorities and student outcomes. Stakeholder feedback helped identify key areas of focus, including student engagement, academic discourse, formative assessment practices, student support systems, attendance improvement, and school connectedness. Input from staff, students, families, and administrators informed the development of goals, strategies, and progress-monitoring measures included in the plan.