Education System Report Cards

Ironically, I signed my daughter's report card Tuesday, the same day the Tennessee Department of Education released its annual comprehensive report card on pre-K – 12 education. (She did much better on hers.) The Department of Education report card includes state, district and school-level information on achievement, demographics, and discipline. This year’s report card demonstrates fundamental changes to the calculations of Value Added and Achievement scores. The method of calculating scores and the scale used to determine letter grades have been revised to allow for a transition to the new standards and assessments required by the Tennessee Diploma Project.

“Because we have been on an aggressive path of improvement with the Tennessee Diploma Project, it was necessary to utilize this transition year to change our calculation methods and more accurately demonstrate student progress in an effort to pursue higher standards,” Education Commissioner Timothy Webb said.

Essentially this means some of our systems may get a bad grade this year compared to last year, but it is due to the fact that the test is much tougher. To see the full report and evaluate information on a state, school system, and individual school level, go to http://tn.gov/education/reportcard/index.shtml.