By serving on the various partnership committees, the school system administrative staff interacts with day care representatives, health professionals and others who can impact the lives of young at-risk children. As students enter school and are screened, the system uses CORE, a program similar to Reading Recovery, to ensure immersion in literacy. CORE, funded from Title I and taught by trained assistants, has been a successful program for monitoring students as they begin school. By beginning K-2 assessment before it is required, the school system has in place a standardized monitoring system for reading and mathematics. State remediation money is allotted directly to each school on a per pupil basis.
Principals develop plans for effective use of the allotments.
Intensive tutoring is provided by teachers, parents and volunteers. Specific strategies and materials are used in these sessions. Progress in growth and proficiency can be attributed to strong leadership from principals, teachers, and a board of education and superintendent who have high expectations for success. Teamwork at all levels creates the environment for success. According to Beverly Underdue, assistant principal at Gaston Middle School in the Northampton County School System , it takes a number of things, the most important of which is high expectations.