Gov. Bill Haslam visits with students and teachers Dec. 14, 2011, at North Hamilton Elementary in Sale Creek, Tenn. (Photo courtesy of TN.gov)
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Rutherford County Schools rounded out 2011 with impressive test scores and a strong graduation rate, making it one of the best school systems in the state.
The Tennessee Department of Education released its annual report card in December, which outlines how schools are performing according to No Child Left Behind and state academic standards.
Rutherford County students received As in all areas tested, while also exceeding state averages. The report shows a higher percentage of students in Rutherford County are performing at a proficient or advanced level. More significantly, a greater number of students are proficient and advanced than those performing at a basic level.
Sixty-four percent of Rutherford County high school students are considered proficient or advanced in math, a 9 percent increase from the previous year.
In kindergarten through the eighth grade, 65 percent ranked proficient or advanced in reading and writing, which increased slightly from 63 percent in 2010.
“I’m pleased with how our district performed, and I’m especially proud our district once again led the way in Tennessee,” said Harry Gill, director of Rutherford County Schools, in a December press release. “There will always be challenges, but we will continue to use the information in the report to build upon our successes and learn from areas that need improvement.”
In addition to higher test scores, Rutherford County Schools reached its highest attendance and graduation rates in three years, according to the report card.
Ninety-one percent of students graduated in 2011, an increase from 89 percent the previous year and higher than the state average of 85 percent. Rutherford County’s dropout rate also declined significantly from 2010.
Murfreesboro City Schools improved significantly in most areas including math, which received a grade of B, a major improvement from the D received last year.
Science scores took a slight downturn for Murfreesboro City Schools sliding from a C to a D.
Three Murfreesboro Schools failed to meet benchmarks for No Child Left Behind including Bradley Academy, Mitchell Neilson Primary and Mitchell Neilson Elementary, all of which were classified as School Improvement, according to the report.
Bradley Academy failed to meet benchmarks for proficiency in reading among African-American students, while both Mitchell Neilson Primary and Mitchell Neilson Elementary missed the benchmark for reading and math among economically disadvantaged students, according to a press release from the Rutherford County School Board.
Tennessee began issuing public accessible report cards in 1992 after the Tennessee Education Improvement Act established accountability standards for schools in the state, according to the report. The law was revised after No Child Left Behind was enacted under former President George W. Bush.
No Child Left Behind has been a controversial issue since its enactment in 2002 because of its focus on test scores, which some educators have said they feel takes away from a well-rounded education. The law also threatens to cut back funding to public schools failing to meet test standards.
Supporters of No Child Left Behind praise its efforts to close the education gap between economically advantaged and disadvantaged children, while also holding schools accountable for progress.
Rutherford County Schools must meet federal and state benchmarks each year under both the No Child Left Behind Act and Tennessee’s First To The Top Initiative, which seeks to have all students to be performing at a proficient or advanced level by 2014. |
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