For only the second time in state history, Tennessee public schools will receive their report cards this week, similar to the ones students bring home after Christmas break. The law to issue letter grades for schools passed in 2016, but letter grades were only implemented in 2023.
The State Report Card evaluates school and district performance using key indicators such as student achievement, growth, attendance, English proficiency for English learners, graduation rates, and postsecondary readiness. The report card considers both student achievement and growth. It’s important to also account for the number of special needs students and those from low-income backgrounds; while these factors are somewhat included in the growth aspect, they represent only a tiny portion.
The weights for elementary and middle schools are 50 percent for achievement, 40 percent for growth, and 10 percent for the lowest-performing students. In high schools, the weights are 50 percent for achievement, 30 percent for growth, 10 percent for the lowest-performing quarter of students, and 10% for college and career readiness.
Additionally, the Report Card offers information about schools and districts, such as student enrollment numbers, contact details, staff information, expenditures, funding, and longitudinal student performance data from the past four years. State-level data is also included to compare the performance of schools and districts across the state. The report card relies heavily on the statewide test administered by the state. State policymakers have been reluctant to include the same statewide test in proposed voucher legislation for evaluating voucher students or schools for comparison purposes.
The state should release the grades much earlier rather than waiting until the middle of the following academic year. There are no specific penalties for schools scoring a D or F, but they may face increased scrutiny from the Tennessee Department of Education. The data comes from a test taken in May of last year. Parents may wonder, 'How important is this for my child?'
Many may question whether report card grades reflect all the factors contributing to a quality school. There may be concerns about the state's methodology for calculating these scores. One suggestion is that parental satisfaction should also be considered when evaluating school performance. Schools categorized as failing may find it challenging to attract teachers and administrators. This could result in already struggling schools remaining in their difficult situation.
We believe that test scores should not be the primary indicator of success in our schools. They fail to capture essential skills like creativity, critical thinking, and collaboration. What truly counts is a student's determination to overcome challenges. Our educational system must be adaptable and seek new ways to prepare students for an ever-changing world.
Many educators face unbelievable challenges across the state, especially with low-income socioeconomic students. We take all students. This includes students who have a lack of preparation, limited vocabulary, poor nutrition, lack of medical care, high mobility, dysfunctional families, lack of English, and lack of enrichment. This does not even factor in mental, physical, and health challenges.
That is not an excuse, nor should we accept diminished expectations because of race or economic conditions. The idiom “soft bigotry of low expectations” is still alive and well in some circles, but we must reject it once and for all.
As educators, we must collaborate with policymakers to develop a public education system that offers students a solid educational foundation. This foundation will empower them to succeed despite any challenging personal circumstances. Public schools must continue to focus on helping all students thrive and ensuring a future without limits by providing the opportunities needed to support their educational journeys.
As Danielle Belton, editor-in-chief of The Root, stated, “If you enter the game expecting to lose, you are almost guaranteed to find failure.” Three words are essential for winning any battle: Improvise, adapt and overcome. But when you overcome obstacles, you must keep improvising and adapting.
In public education, educators must raise their voices to take charge of our profession and influence better policies. By engaging with local school communities and participating in conversations, everyone can contribute to the success of our students and schools.
The school report card is a snapshot of time; much like a school picture for a student, it is what you look like at that moment. The report card can potentially encourage positive discussions within communities, helping to keep public education a central topic in policy debates. If the results are unfavorable, it should inspire conversations about how a school can grow, change, and improve.
JC Bowman
Executive Director of Professional Educators of Tennessee