News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
White County Students saw performance gains at most grade levels last year, as the system reached 15 of 18 goals set for achievement.
School officials shared the system’s TISA Accountability Report with the White County School Board Thursday night. Third graders reached 49.3 percent proficiency in reading/language arts, exceeding the year’s goal by four percent. Schools Director Kurt Dronebarger said when compared to other Upper Cumberland students, White County performed well.
“We recognize that, you know, 49 in some categories is not where we want to be, 50, 60 is not what we want,” Dronebarger said. “Even 70 is not what we want to be. But, we’re in very good shape. You know, we’re doing very well. Our teachers are doing an excellent job. We’re making great strides. Like I said, the vast majority of our goals were met or exceeded, and so lots of room to grow. We recognize that, you know. No, but comparatively, we’re doing very well. You’d be proud of the work that our teachers and administrators are doing.”
Six of seven grade levels in middle and high school English reached outcome targets. Seven of nine middle and high school grades reached the math performance goals.
Federal Programs Director Shelia Felton said the five-year plan also includes college readiness at the high school level and White County High School students met both goals in that arena in year one.
Felton said the school system has already passed its 24-25 goal for third grade reading, so that number has been revised. The state mandated that as one of each system’s goals. The Legislature set a 70 percent proficiency mark as the statewide goal.
“So we want to work toward that,” Felton said. “But you know, when we started off at 44 percent, 70 is far out there. So we take little steps and get there.”
The rest of the goals are set by each system. The TISA report shows what the school system spent in that particular area, mainly on salaries, to reach the number.
“We have an action plan of things we’re going to be continuing to do,” Felton said. “These are things that’s in our district plan as well that we do annually that we’re going to continue doing. Since we met that goal, we’ll be continuing doing with a few little tweaks along the way.”
The report is now available for public review on the school system website, before being sent to the public next year. School Board Chair Bob Young said he has not seen a report of this kind during his time on the school board.
“Accountability for public entities is important, Young said. “But this is a lot of work so thanks to staff for being able to report the actuals and have that data in front of us.”
In other business, the system changed President’s Day as a paid-holiday for all support staff. School Board approved a committee of parents and teachers to begin deliberations on a new science textbook. The system will also sell an old school bus.
