School Districts

Trousdale County Schools

School Characteristics:

• Director of Schools: Clint Satterfield
• Grades Served: PK-12
• Number of Schools: 3
• Enrollment: 1,276
• Economically Disadvantaged Rate: 56%

Overview:

Trousdale is a small district that has made considerable gains over the past few years. Trousdale County Schools serves over 1,200 students in Middle Tennessee. Fifty-six percent of Trousdale County’s students are economically disadvantaged. The district posted strong three-year marks on TVAAS growth in math, algebra I, and biology I: 8.2, 9.1, and 9.1 respectively. Historically a school system that was known for having exceptional athletics, the district is now a statewide leader in the areas of teacher development and support, setting high standards for all students and encouraging students to prepare for college and the workforce.

Three-Year TVAAS Growth Estimate (2011-2013):

• Math: 8.2
• Reading: 2.5
• Science: 2.1
• Algebra I: 9.1
• English II: 3.1
• Biology I: 9.1

Three-Year Combined TCAP and EOC Proficient/Advanced Rates (2011-2013):

• Math/Algebra I: 63%
• Reading/English II: 55%
• Science/Biology I: 67%

College-Readiness:

• ACT Composite: 19
• Graduation rate: 99

Greeneville County Schools

District Characteristics:

• Director of Schools: Dr. Linda Stroud
• Grades Served: PK-12
• Number of Schools: 7
• Enrollment: 2,845
• Economically Disadvantaged Rate: 48%

Overview:

Greeneville City Schools serves over 2,800 students in East Tennessee. Forty-eight percent of Greeneville City’s students are economically disadvantaged. The district posted strong three-year marks on TVAAS growth in math and Algebra I: 8.3 and 9.3, respectively. The district has an average ACT score of 22 and an AP exam pass rate of 77 percent. Greeneville City Schools is a strong district that has high expectations for students to become not only academically successful but also successful as leaders within their community. Higher-order thinking, engaged and approachable leaders, and recent expansion of AP/dual enrollment opportunities are also highlights for Greeneville.

Three-Year TVAAS Growth Estimate (2011-2013):

• Math: 8.2
• Reading: 1.2
• Science: 3.1
• Algebra I: 9.3
• English II: -0.7
• Biology I: 1.9

Three-Year Combined TCAP and EOC Proficient/Advanced Rates (2011-2013):

• Math/Algebra I: 63%
• Reading/English II: 63%
• Sicence/Biology I: 73%

College-Readiness:

• ACT Composite: 22
• Pass rate on AP exams: 77%
• Graduation rate: 97%

Kingsport City Schools

School Characteristics:

• Director of Schools: Dr. Lyle Ailshie
• Grades Served: PK-12
• Number of Schools: 13
• Enrollment: 7,045
• Economically Disadvantaged Rate: 51%

Overview:

Kingsport City Schools is a district with early and ongoing opportunities for rigor and postsecondary readiness. Kingsport City Schools serves over 7,000 students in East Tennessee. Fifty-one percent of Kingsport City’s students are economically disadvantaged. The district posted strong three-year marks on TVAAS growth in math and algebra I: 4.5 and 7.0 respectively. The district has an ACT average of 22 and an AP exam pass rate of 82 percent. The district has a strong teacher culture, including several homegrown programs to support teacher leaders as well as aspiring school leaders. Kingsport is also strong in the area of community engagement – local partners are involved in the district and parents and community members feel that district leadership communicates well and is accessible. More than this, they are often engaged in decision-making at the schools.

Attendance Rate: 95%

Three-Year TVAAS Growth Estimate (2011-2013):

• Math: 4.5
• Reading: 1.0
• Science: 2.4
• Algebra I: 7.0
• English II: -1.4
• Biology I: -2.2

Three-Year Combined TCAP and EOC Proficient/Advanced Rates (2011-2013)

• Math/Algebra I: 66%
• Reading/English II: 63%
• Science/Biology I: 71%

College-Readiness:

• ACT Composite: 22
• Pass rate on AP exams: 82%
• Graduatiuon rate: 90%

Hamblen County Schools

School Characteristics:

• Director of Schools: Dr. Dale Lynch
• Grades Served: PK-12
• Number of Schools: 18
• Enrollment: 9,615
• Economically Disadvantaged Rate: 62%

Overview:

Hamblen County Schools, a rural, high-poverty district in East Tennessee, has not let demographic challenges stand in the way of its commitment to academic excel- lence. More than 60 percent of the district’s student population qualifies for free and reduced priced lunch, up from 40 percent only a decade ago. The district also has one of the largest English language learner popula- tions in the state. The district’s Hispanic population has grown from 1 percent to more than 16 percent over the past decade, with the majority of these students speak- ing Spanish as their primary language. Despite these challenges, the district holds the status of Advanced Placement Honor District and has earned three National Blue Ribbon distinctions, two of which were awarded during the past two years. Ultimately, the district’s goal is to ensure that every student graduates from high school prepared for college and the workforce. The district’s te- nets of high standards and strategic, collaborative plan- ning are evident in its dramatic reductions in achieve- ment gaps for its most economically disadvantaged and at-risk students. “The rules of the game have changed in education in Tennessee and across our country,” Super- intendent Dr. Dale Lynch said, “and I’m proud of the fact that we can say in Hamblen County our students and our teachers have risen to meet those expectations.”

Attendance Rate: 96%

TVAAS Growth Estimate (2012):

• Math: 3.2
• Reading: 0.2
• Algebra I: 13.9
• English II: 2.2

TCAP Proficient/Advanced:

• Math/Algebra I: 51%
• Reading/English II: 55%

College-Readiness:

• ACT Composite: 19
• AP enrollments as percentage of all high school course enrollments: 39%
• Graduation rate 2012: 90%
• College-going rate 2010: 57%

Attendance rates and TCAP/EOC proficient and advanced rates are three-year averages.
ACT composites are two-year averages. All other data in the index are 2011 data, with the exception of college-going rates.

Maryville City Schools

School Characteristics:

• Director of Schools: Stephanie Thompson
• Grades Served: PK-12
• Number of Schools: 7
• Enrollment: 4,915
• Economically Disadvantaged Rate: 32%

Overview:

Maryville City Schools lives by the creed of site-based management: its flat organization chart and emphasis on developing strong teacher leaders allow for significant autonomy at the school level. Moreover, MCS benefits from the longstanding support of the community, which believes in the importance of the school system in preparing students for the future and helping the community remain economically vibrant. The district’s strategic plan recognizes its stake in the community by emphasizing college readiness as foundational to economic health. Maryville’s emphasis on recruiting and retaining great teachers is not just a value upheld by the school system. The community’s proud history of educational excellence translates into widespread support from parents and industry alike. Maryville has always compared itself to the best in the state; now it looks to regional and even national peers to further propel success.

Attendance Rate: 96%

TVAAS Growth Estimate (2012):

• Math: 1.3
• Reading: 0.6
• Algebra I: 6.4
• English II: 2.9

TCAP Proficient/Advanced:

• Math/Algebra I: 67%
• Reading/English II: 77%

College-Readiness:

• ACT Composite: 24
• AP enrollments as percentage of all high school course enrollments: 44%
• Pass rate on AP exams: 82%
• Graduation rate: 92%

Attendance rates and TCAP/EOC proficient and advanced rates are three-year averages.
ACT composites are two-year averages. All other data in the index are 2011 data, with the exception of college-going rates.

Tipton County Schools

School Characteristics:

• Director of Schools: Dr. William Bibb
• Grades Served: PK-12
• Number of Schools: 14
• Enrollment: 11,657
• Economically Disadvantaged Rate: 56%

Overview:

Tipton County Schools, located in southwest Tennessee, encompasses 14 elementary, middle, and high schools and nearly 12,000 total students. The mission of the district, led by Superintendent Dr. William Bibb, is to “guide and inspire students to become model citizens who pursue postsecondary education and thrive in the global job market by engaging each student in challenging experiences led by quality educators in a safe and nurturing environment.” Tipton County has made an enormous impact on the schools and the community it supports. Its emphasis on individual growth and success, as well as rigorous curriculum and relentless usage of data, means that Tipton is truly educating its students for the world both inside and outside of Tennessee.

Attendance Rate: 95%

TVAAS Growth Estimate (2012):

• Math: 3.1
• Reading: 0.0
• Algebra I: 17.7
• English II: 2.2

TCAP Proficient/Advanced:

• Math/Algebra I: 54%
• Reading/English II: 55%

College-Readiness:

• ACT Composite: 20
• AP enrollments as percentage of all high school course enrollments: 3%
• Pass rate on AP exams: 58%
• Graduation rate: 96%
• College-going rate: 60%

Attendance rates and TCAP/EOC proficient and advanced rates are three-year averages.
ACT composites are two-year averages. All other data in the index are 2011 data, with the exception of college-going rates.

Maryville City Schools

District Characteristics:

• Director of Schools: Stephanie Thompson
• Grades Served: PK-12
• Number of Schools: 7
• Enrollment: 4,890
• Economically Disadvantaged Rate: 33.1%

Overview:

Maryville City Schools has a long tradition of high community expectations for educational outcomes that is shared by all stakeholders, from the mayor and civic leaders to their director of schools, principals, and teachers. The district has set big goals for increasing the number of students who enroll in and pass AP exams, beginning in the 9th grade, and improving their ACT 3-year average which, at 23.8, stands well above the state average. The district is data-driven when it makes decisions, and is very proactive with regard to upcoming challenges, whether those be changes in the global economy, population growth in the community, or the increase of economically disadvantaged students who attend their schools.

Attendance Rates:

• 2009: K-8: 95.7%, 9-12: 96.0%
• 2010: K-8: 95.5%, 9-12: 95.5%

TVAAS 3-Year Growth Standard T-Statistics (2011):

• Math: 14.32
• Reading/Language Arts: 3.84
• Algebra I: 5.04
• English II: 4.03

Overall District TCAP and EOC Deciles (2010-2011):

• Math: 60th to 70th
• Reading: 80th to 70th
• Between 2010 and 2011, Maryville City Schools narrowed its achievement gap between economically disadvantaged and non-economically disadvantaged students by 1.01 points on reading and by 3.34 points on math.

College-readiness:

• ACT Composite (3 Year Average): 23.8
• Percent of Students taking AP exams: 11.31%
• Pass rate on AP exams: 88.28%
• Graduation rate: 90.5%
• College-going rate (2009): 76.5%
• The district’s 2011 TVAAS status was “above” in Algebra I, English II, and U.S. History.

Loudon County Schools

District Characteristics:

• Director of Schools: Jason Vance
• Grades Served: PK-12
• Number of Schools: 9
• Enrollment: 4,986
• Economically Disadvantaged Rate: 55.9%

Overview:

Loudon County Schools has taken the necessary steps to meet new academic challenges for its students even in the face of dramatically changing student demographics. Their director of schools has set high expectations for the system, recruited the appropriate school-level leadership to carry out his vision, put in place supports for these new leaders, and hired a data coach to make sure that all schools and teachers understand the meaning and implications of data measures. As a result, the district has made an incredible amount of progress in a short amount of time and has narrowed achievement gaps between their white and Hispanic populations and their economically and non-esconomically disadvantaged populations.

Attendance Rates:

• 2009: K-8: 95.4%, 9-12: 93.3%
• 2010: K-8: 95.2%, 9-12: 94.2%

TVAAS 3-Year Growth Standard T-Statistics (2011):

• Math: 9.34
• Reading/Language Arts: 9.05
• Algebra I: 3.65
• English II: 2.03

Overall District TCAP and EOC Deciles (2010-2011):

• Math: 40th
• Reading/Language Arts: 60th to 50th
• Between 2010 and 2011, Loudon County Schools decreased its Hispanic-white achievement gap by 6.01 points on reading and 5.27 points on math.
• They also decreased the achievement gap between economically disadvantaged and non-economically disadvantaged students by 4.78 points on math.

College-Readiness:

• ACT Composite (3 Year Average): 19.0
• Percent of Students taking AP exams: N/A
• Pass rate on AP exams: N/A
• Graduation rate: 89.0%
• College-going rate (2009): 46.6%
• The district’s 2011 TVAAS status was “above” in Algebra I, English I, English II, and U.S. History.

Williamson County Schools

District Characteristics:

• Director of Schools: Mike Looney
• Grades Served: PK-12
• Number of Schools: 37
• Enrollment: 30,228
• Economically Disadvantaged Rate: 11.9%

Overview:

Williamson County Schools has set big goals to ensure the continued growth and achievement of all of its students, including its highest performers. At the secondary level, the district has set a goal of having a 24 on the ACT and achieving a 10 percent increase in participation and pass rates on AP exams. The district has increased the time set aside for math and reading at the elementary level, provided side-by-side academic coaches to assist in these subjects, and has instituted district-wide pacing guides. To help teachers achieve these goals, the district has developed a comprehensive induction program and a system of on-going mentoring and professional development. Director of Schools Mike Looney is leading the charge to instill a renewed sense of urgency by getting out to the schools every day and providing principals with the supports they need to be instructional leaders in their buildings.

Attendance Rates:

• 2009: K-8: 96.3%, 9-12: 95.1%
• 2010: K-8: 96.4%, 9-12: 95.1%

TVAAS 3-Year Growth Standard T-Statistics:

• Math: 2.50
• Reading/Language Arts: 9.35
• Algebra I: 9.93
• English II: 1.61

Overall District TCAP and EOC Deciles (2010-2011):

• Math: 60th to 70th
• Reading: 80th
• Between 2010 and 2011, Williamson County Schools narrowed its achievement gap between black and white students by 3.90 points in math. They also narrowed their Hispanic-white achievement gap by 3.41 points in math.
• During the same time period, the system narrowed its achievement gap between economically disadvantaged and non-economically disadvantaged students by 1.96 points in reading and by 6.12 points in math.

College-readiness:

• ACT Composite (3 Year Average): 22.7
• Percent of Students taking AP exams: 19.81%
• Pass rate on AP exams: 71.49%
• Graduation rate: 93.9%
• College-going rate (2009): 78.5%
• The district’s 2011 TVAAS status was “above” in Algebra I, English II, and U.S. History.