County Schools Rise and Fall in TCAPs

by Kevin Cummings, Messenger Staff Writer

Recently-released standardized test scores show Franklin County Schools improved at the high school level, but dropped in three of four subjects on the TCAP.

Rebecca Sharber, director of schools, presented the district-wide scores at the Aug. 11 Board of Education meeting. The state expects to release individual school test results before the end of August.

On the TCAP, taken by students in grades 3–8, math was the only area to show an increase on the 2014 test with 43.9 percent of students scoring proficient or advanced compared to 42.9 percent last year. Science dipped from 61.8 percent to 56.4 percent and social studies declined from 85.6 percent to 82.8 percent. Reading scores dropped from 47.8 percent to 43.4 percent.

“We’re disappointed, of course, that the reading scores did not show county-wide improvements, given the rigorous new Reading Street program that was introduced. Math scores also fell, however, where we did not do anything different,” said Chris McDonough, Sewanee’s outgoing school board representative.

On the high school end-of-course exams, Franklin County students improved in four of seven subjects compared to 2013 and had slight decreases in two others. The increases came in English I, English II, Biology I and U.S. History. Biology I had the biggest increase with 3.6 percent more students scoring proficient or advanced.

Algebra II scores were down 1.3 percent, and English III scores dropped 1 percent. Student scores decreased the most in Algebra I with 52.4 percent of students scoring proficient or advanced, a 4.9 percent decrease from 2013. Students showed the most aptitude in English I with 65.5 percent of students scoring proficient or advanced.

“Naturally, the board wants the best education for county students. But all across the state, the improvement of scores has become an end in itself, at the expense of virtually every other legitimate education goal,” McDonough noted.

At Monday’s meeting, Sharber outlined eight strategies to increase scores, a few of which included more flexibility in the elementary instructional programs, continued focus on the least effective teachers and work with instructional coaches, learning from more successful school districts and adding more  technology.

In the area of technology, the school system is on the verge of issuing Chromebook computers to ninth-graders, which will be used in lieu of textbooks.

In other business at Monday’s Board of Education meeting: 

The board honored outgoing Seventh District representative Betty Jo Drummond, who lost her bid for re-election, and McDonough, who did not seek re-election.

“It has been a real honor to serve the county on the school board,” McDonough said after the meeting. “Dr. Sharber is a consummate professional whom I have learned so much from. The county could hardly have a better director, and her staff is equally impressive. I have enjoyed working with my fellow board members, as well. While we have disagreed on some matters, every one of them checks their egos at the door and puts county students first.” 

The Tennessee Association of School Boards gave a presentation and offered assistance in finding a new director of schools. Sharber is retiring at the end of June 2015.