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School officials in Blount County’s three systems are pleased to have made the grade on this year’s state Report Card. They realize, however, there is still need for improvement.

The state Report Card — which was released Monday — contains Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) data, academic achievement grades, value added academic growth rates and attendance, promotion, dropout and graduation rates.

The state’s AYP reports were released in August.

This year’s graduation rates are from the 2007-2008 school year when Tennessee’s statewide graduation rate was 82.2 percent.

According to state Report Card data, Blount County Schools’ graduation rate has seen an improvement for the third straight year. The school system’s current graduation rate stands at 82.3 percent, which is still beneath the state’s goal of 90 percent.

Schools and school districts, however, can still be in “good standing” with the state if they meet or exceed an additional AYP indicator that determines whether they’re on track to meet a 90 percent graduation rate by the 2013-2014 school year.

Graduation rates improve

Blount County’s two high schools met their graduation rate improvement tracks this year. William Blount High School’s graduation rate for the 2007-2008 school year was 88.6 percent, which exceeded the school’s 82.6 percent improvement track target.

Heritage High School’s graduation rate for the 2007-2008 school year was 81.2 percent, which exceeded its 80.9 percent improvement track target.
“They’ve crossed one hurdle toward making AYP next year. They still need to meet their academic standards in math and reading. They’re taking a step in the right direction,” said Dr. Jane Morton, Blount County’s supervisor of 6-12 instruction.

If Heritage High School meets these academic standards, it will be able to move out of the “School Improvement 2” designation and into “School Improvement 1- Improving.”

‘Happy and pleased’

“We’re very happy and pleased with both schools, and their work to meet the ‘07-’08 (school year) grad rates. We’ve worked closely to support their efforts,” Morton said.

The state’s academic achievement grades are based on 2007-2008 Tennessee Comprehensive Assessment Program (TCAP) test results for grades three though eight and Gateway/end-of-course exams in algebra I, biology I, English I and II, physical science, math foundations and U.S. history.

Blount County Schools received an A in math, reading and fifth- and eighth-grade writing. The school system received a B in social studies, science and 11th grade writing.

“Our teachers are doing a wonderful job of individualizing instruction and also differentiating instruction for different learning styles,” Morton said.

Blount County Schools saw a decrease in their value added assessments, which measure student progress within a grade and subject. The school system — which received all As last year — received Bs in value added math, social studies and science assessments and an A in reading.

Morton attributed this decrease to the score’s rolling three-year average. “You’re losing a year of academic gains. So two years ago will always be a factor. We’ve been looking at our current value added scores to identify groups (of students) who need more instruction,” she said.

Maryville rate improves

Maryville City Schools’ graduation rate also improved for the third straight year. The school system’s current graduation rate stands at 93.2 percent. Maryville Director of Schools Stephanie Thompson said she thinks the school system’s “attendance and graduation rates are a direct result of the relationship between faculty and staff members with (the system’s) students and their parents.”

The school system received all As in math, reading, social studies, science and writing assessments. “They’re a reflection of the focus that the school system has — and teachers do an outstanding job of concentrating on curriculum and instruction,” Thompson said.

Maryville received a B in math and As in reading, social studies and science for its value added assessments. Maryville school officials are currently working vigorously to bring up the B in math for next year’s Report Card.

“It’s technically above average, but it’s not what we want,” noted Dr. Mike Winstead, Maryville assistant director of schools. “We’re doing everything to make sure last year was an anomaly and not a trend.

“After receiving the Report Card, we’ve spent most of our time trying to pinpoint who’s not making the grades.

The system’s Discovery Education Assessment testing for grades 1 through 9 will be a good way to test student’s benchmark to see who requires supplemental education, Thompson said.

Alcoa rate steady

Alcoa City Schools’ graduation rate remained at 90.5 percent. “We’re pretty pleased with nine out of 10 (students graduating),” said John Campbell, Alcoa’s director of administrative services, who then explained the system’s plans to further aid its students. Alcoa has hired graduation coaches, implemented credit recovery courses and the high school’s ninth grade academy, he said.

Alcoa’s schools received all As in math, reading, social studies, science and writing assessments. The school system also received all As in these four subject areas for its value added assessment.

Alcoa school officials have been pleased with their scores. “Overall, we’re pretty happy with the results. There’s some areas we’d want to fix, but by the end of the game our kids are doing pretty well we think,” Campbell said. “We’ve not made massive leaps, but the subgroups we wanted to target are doing better. We’ve done better particularly with special needs students.”

Campbell praised the work of Alcoa’s faculty members. “Our teachers have a lot of autonomy — it’s really been a real team effort,” he said.