posted November 10, 2008
The Tennessee Department of Education released the 2008 Report Card for the Hamilton County Department of Education with the District receiving one A, two Bs and one C in achievement and three As and one B in student academic progress.
Academic achievement in Hamilton County continues to climb as students post improved test scores on state standardized tests for the 8th consecutive year, county school officials said.
Fourteen schools scored straight As in Academic Achievement with seven of those also gaining top scores in one-year academic growth grades.
The 2008 Report Card is based on student performance in the Tennessee Comprehensive Assessment Program. Students in grades 3-8 are measured based on Reading and Math scores from the state standardized test while high school achievement is based on the Gateway exams in English, Algebra and Biology.
The Report Card also details information about student demographics, attendance, promotion rates, graduation rates, drop-out rates, test scores, writing assessments, ACT results and No Child Left Behind (NCLB) standards.
Key results in the 2008 Report Card include: Hamilton County Schools TVAAS (value added) scores for Grades 3-8 were three As and one B; student achievement in the district rose to an A in Math, a B in Reading, a C in Social Studies and a B in Science, up from two Bs and two Cs in 2007; HCDE had 27 schools (42%) increase their academic achievement one grade in at least one subject area; ACT composite scores held steady at 19.8, despite having tested 81 more students in 2008; the District K-8 attendance rose to 94.8% with the high schools jumping to 91.2%; promotion rates increased to 97.9% this year in grades K-8; the number of 3-8 students scoring proficient and advanced increased 1.4 percentage points in both Math and Reading to 89.9% and 92% respectively; the percentage of 3-8 students scoring advanced in Math jumped from 40.8% in 2007 to 44.8% in 2008; the percentage of 3-8 students scoring advanced in Reading jumped from 39.5% in 2007 to 43.9%in 2008; gateway Algebra proficient and advanced scores improved 3 percentage points to 71.8%; gateway Algebra advanced scores roses from 25.9% to 31.8%; gateway English proficient and advanced scores increased 1.6 percentage points 95.7%; gateway English advanced scores increased from 66.1% to 72.1%; gateway Biology proficient and advanced scores increased 2.1 percentage points to 94.1%; gateway Biology advanced scores rose from 49.5% in 2007 to 56.3% in 2008; students continued to demonstrate strong writing skills scoring 4.1 to 4.2 out of 6 over a 3-year average.
“These latest test scores, especially the percentage of students scoring advanced, demonstrate that we are getting it done in the classroom,” Board of Education Chairman Kenny Smith said. “Our entire community should be proud of the high quality education students are receiving each day in Hamilton County Schools.”
Value Added Scores show consistent academic growth each year. The Report Card includes a grade, from A-F, for both academic achievement and student improvement (Value Added). Academic achievement is based on scores on the standardized test. Value Added scores measure student progress within each grade (3-8) and subject from one year to the next.
The state’s average for Value Added growth is represented with a C grade. Hamilton County Schools scored the following in terms of Value Added: three As and one B for the District; 27 schools (42%) boast straight A’s in Value Added; 18 (28%) schools increased at least one grade in one core area in Value Added grades.
Primary students show strong gains. Students in grades 3-8 continued to make progress in Math this year, with the percentage of students scoring proficient or advanced increasing to 89.9%.
Several subgroups of students also showed consistent improvement this year. Economically disadvantaged students increased their Math proficient and advanced scores to 84.5% this year with African American students increasing proficient and advanced scores from 80.4% last year to 82.6% this year in Math. Reading scores also increased to 92% proficient and advanced this year. Hispanic students’ scores jumped to 86.2% for proficient and advanced with 85.5% of African American students scoring proficient or advanced in Reading. Economically disadvantaged students also increased their proficient and advanced scores from 85.4% to 87.4%.
Hamilton County Schools graduation rate dipped to 72.6%. The primary reason for this is the conversion of Hamilton County High School from a program to a school. Prior to 2008, the students who attended this school were not counted in the District’s graduation rate formula. The graduation formula counts those students who graduate on-time (within 4-years and a summer.)
The design of Hamilton County High School is such that many students come with a limited number of credits and are unable to complete their education within the four-year time frame. However, this school has graduated more than 500 students in the last three years, many of whom would have otherwise dropped out.
“We’re giving these kids a second chance at a high school diploma and that is a valuable program for kids,” Dr. Scales said. “This program is great for kids but hard on our bottom line in terms of the graduation rate. We are graduating more kids and that is the most important thing.”
The District’s four-year cohort drop-out rate also rose. Again, the conversion of Hamilton County High School to a school is a factor. Many students who attend Hamilton County High School dropped out of high school before re-enrolling in the adult high school. Statistics show they are twice as likely to drop out again and this occurrence impacts the district’s drop-out rate. This year, the District is working to reduce drop-out rates and increase graduation rates through ongoing reform efforts along with specialized programs designed to catch students and help them graduate with their class.
The District also continues its reform efforts at elementary and middle schools, both of which have helped produce results in student achievement. Hamilton County Schools also continues to implement programs designed to help the District achieve the goals outlined in the Strategic Plan 2011.
Test score data is a tool the District uses to help refine curriculum and instruction at the building level to enable all schools and students to achieve. “We are on the path to meeting the goals outline in the Strategic Plan,” Dr. Scales said. “We remain focused on helping all students succeed and propelling this District forward. Our ultimate goal is to produce students who are prepared for the global economy and our scores indicate that we are making progress in this arena.”
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