STATE REPORT CARD
INFORMATION

When the State releases Report Card results Tuesday, parents may see lower letter grade scores under the value-added tab.  The State has begun the process of increasing what students must know to graduate beginning in elementary and middle schools where students in third through eighth grades take the Tennessee Comprehensive Assessment Program, TCAP, test.  In addition, the State is recalibrating the baseline test scores which had not been changed since 1998.

The new reporting process is a part of the Tennessee Diploma Project which aligns Tennessee curriculum to national standards by increasing rigor and content.  The TDP was established in 2008; curriculum changes began this year; and assessment of how students are learning the new curriculum will begin next spring when the TCAP is administered.

“Our students have made great progress over the last five years,” Education Commissioner Timothy Webb said. “Our teachers have truly made the difference.  These changes to our calculations reflect no loss of learning but rather the pursuit of higher standards as we demand the highest level of success for our students.”

A new scale to determine all grades, A through F, on the Report Card has been dramatically revised.  In previous years on the TCAP, students were scored proficient with just a basic understanding of the subject.  Students must now master concepts to be considered proficient as determined by the State.  When the test is given in the spring, it will be more rigorous, reflecting the higher expectations for learning in the Tennessee Diploma Project continuum.  The standards measured by the test had not been changed since 2003.  Because of the new standards, students will have to score significantly higher to reach proficient or advanced when testing next spring.

"These changes will, in some cases, dramatically affect the individual grades for schools and districts.  It is crucial to remember that changes in grades do not reflect a loss of learning for your child," said Webb.

Williamson County Interim Superintendent Dr. David Heath said that while the schools and district have traditionally scored high, he believes that because of the changes, Williamson County will see a decrease in letter grades.  "Last year's 'A' is this year's 'C'," said Heath.  "In the future, students will have to perform significantly higher than in the past for the district to achieve 'A's."  Heath said he believes Williamson County Schools will still be among the top scoring districts in the State.  "Williamson County teachers are working with students to increase their learning through these more rigorous standards," said Heath.

Changes are coming at the high school level as well.  Algebra I, English II and Biology I end-of-course assessments will change to reflect the rigor of Tennessee Diploma Project, and end-of-course assessments will also be given in English I and U.S. History.  More end-of-course tests are on the way with field testing for Algebra II in the spring of 2010, and with field testing for English III, geometry, chemistry and physics coming soon thereafter. 

Select this LINK to read a letter to parents from Dr. Timothy Webb.  Or select this LINK for a State news release on changes to the Report Card.