County Schools Surpassed The State In 5 Of 8 Subject Areas On TNReady; Ooltewah High Goes On And Off Additional Support And Improvement Needed List

  • Thursday, August 15, 2019

Hamilton County Schools outperformed the state in five of eight grade band subject areas where no accountability areas were above the state last year.  The district ranks first out of 142 districts in student growth index in grades 3-5 and second out of 146 districts in overall student growth.  

 

Hamilton County Schools, as a district, ranked second in the state for overall TVAAS composite index score.

The district was first in grades 3-5, 16th in the state in grades 6-8, and 17th in grades 9-12.

 

Ooltewah High School was initially on a list of Additional Targeted Support and Improvement Schools when the data was made public by the State Department of Education on Thursday morning. However, state officials said it was taken off the list a short time later after an "appeal."

 

Supt. Bryan Johnson said, “Yesterday’s results showed the district's rate of improvement is significantly above the state.  Today’s information shows our children’s absolute achievement is outperforming the state and these results are a testament to the tireless efforts of our teachers, staff, and students with the support of our families.

 

“We came to this community a little over two years ago with the target of becoming the fastest-improving school district in the state.  The needle has moved quickly, and it is time to focus on becoming one of the best school districts in Tennessee for the future of our children and our community.”

 

In the state’s news release, Hamilton County Schools was recognized for improving English language arts, and end-of-course exams by at least five percent.  The district made achievement gains in nearly all areas compared to last year and improved achievement faster than the state in seven of eight areas.  The most significant gains came in math in 3-5 grade, and 6-8 grade and in all areas in grades 9-12.  High schools saw double-digit gains in U.S. History and above five percent growth in every high school content area.  Super subgroup achievement also improved faster in Hamilton County Schools than the state. Super Subgroup is a combination of each of the four major subgroups that include minority populations (Black/Hispanic/Native American), economically disadvantaged, English language learners, and students with disabilities while only counting each student one time in this combined subgroup.

 

Dr. Johnson said, "The progress shown by students in Hamilton County Schools was wide and deep – touching every learning community, every subject area, and every subgroup.  Hamilton County Schools has 50 unique schools with the distinction of being Level 5 for overall student growth and/or a Reward School.  

 

"Student learning gains universally exceeded state growth expectations, and HCS teachers improved the learning trajectory for thousands of students!  That means more students will have the opportunity to realize their hopes and dreams for the future.  More graduates will find success as engineers, doctors, chemists, teachers, entrepreneurs, welders, or whatever career goal a graduate envisions for the future."

 

Justin Robertson, chief schools officer for Hamilton County Schools, said, “Hamilton County Schools exceeded growth expectations for all students in every major grade band, subject category and overall. This is historic because at no time since the modern accountability era has Hamilton County Schools had 5s across the board.”

 

Officials said, "The Hamilton County Board of Education’s Future Ready 2023 action plan provides goals and landmarks on the journey to reaching the academic achievement levels the community desires for its schools. The district plan has led to department plans and individual school plans to support moving the district forward. Plans are focused on academic improvement for each school and each child. Future Ready 2023 action areas include accelerating student achievement across the district, providing future-ready students prepared for success after graduation, staffing our schools with great teachers and leaders, engaging the community in the education process, and providing efficient and effective operations to deliver high-quality education for the children of our community." 

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