SCORE Recognizes White Co. For Post COVID Rebound

The State Collaborative on Reforming Education has recognized White County Schools as one of only 100 school districts nationwide that have seen full recovery and are exceeding pre-pandemic reading and math scores.

Director of Schools Kurt Dronebarger said he is honored that the school system has been recognized not only on a state level but on a national level for their improved scores. Dronebarger said it was very challenging bringing the scores back up to the pre-pandemic scores.

“We certainly really risen to the occasion,” Dronebarger said. “We’ve looked deep into our data and worked with our teachers. I can’t tell you the number of important meetings that have been held and trainings that go on behind the scenes the things that the public doesn’t see how hard our teachers work at really understanding where our students are data-wise and how to move that needle.”

With many school districts still struggling to reach pre-pandemic scores Dronebarger said he doesn’t know if White County Schools has some secret sauce that led to the success. Dronebarger said he does believe the teachers at White County Schools are living up to their motto “Love Kids, Work Hard, and Pursue Excellence”.

“We just try to do that in everything that we do,” Dronebarger said. “We love kids first and foremost and make them the focus of our work and then we work really hard at all the things that are given to us at the federal, state, and local level. As far as serving our students we just roll our sleeves up and get in there and do the hard work and then we pursue excellence. We try and get better where we need to.”

Dronebarger said he believes school districts across the Upper Cumberland are doing great work to improve and that he believes White County is holding up its end of the bargain.

“I’m proud to work with all the great directors of schools in the Upper Cumberland region,” Dronebarger said. “We meet monthly to discuss and try and support one another. There’s great work going on all over our counties in the Upper Cumberland and I’m proud to be a part of it.”

Dronebarger said he is not sure if there is a trend of students having more focus over the past couple of years as we get farther and farther away from the pandemic. Dronebarger said at White County Schools he does hold staff, teachers, and students to a high standard.