Report card shows 88 percent Tennessee graduation rate
Tennessee’s high school graduation rate improved to 88 percent, the third consecutive year it’s increased, but students in earlier grades continue to struggle in reading, according to a state report card released Thursday.
State education officials say the report card is a tool to equip districts and communities with the data to make informed decisions to support their students and educators. In terms of value-added Report Card grades, the Knox County Schools earned a B, C, and B in math, English language arts/reading, and science respectively.
Besides the state’s graduation rate, which was 87 percent previous year, the 2015 report card shows achievement and growth of Tennessee school districts, student enrollment and ethnicity, and the percentage of students meeting college and career readiness benchmarks on the ACT.
“Our district has a strong history of performing well in achievement, and this is a testament to the value our parents and community place on education”, said Dr. Jennifer Brown, assistant director of schools for Instruction.
The county district posted A’s for achievement on the Tennessee Comprehensive Assessment Program known commonly as TCAP in every subject for the fifth-straight year. Data from the 2013 and 2014 Report Cards is available by selecting the appropriate year from the Year menu on the 2015 Report Card. “As in years past, there are numerous areas to celebrate the work of our students and teachers”. “I continue to be so proud of our students, teachers and staff for their relentless effort”.
As WBIR previously reported, KCS received a 5 – the highest possible mark – on its TVAAS composite score, which measures progress from one year to the next.
Elsewhere in the East Tennessee area, the Oak Ridge school district came in with the highest average ACT score, at 23.1. Williamson County Schools students tested 81.5 percent proficient or advanced in math. FSSD students scored 74.6 percent proficient or advanced in math. Statewide, the average was 55.6 percent.
Improvement is needed in gap closures for student subgroups.
100 percent of teachers in FSSD and 99.8 percent in WCS are verified by the state as “highly qualified” in the subject areas they teach, and 66 percent in FSSD and 60 percent in WCS have master’s degrees or higher.
The district’s graduation rate has increased by 1.4% to 93.91%. The Tennessee Education Improvement Act of 1992 established accountability standards for all public schools in the state and required the Department of Education to produce a Report Card for the public to access each year.