TDOE Seeking Input In New School Grading System
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The Tennessee Conservative Staff –
Tennessee public schools will be receiving their own letter grades later this year, and the Department of Education is asking the public to help decide what information should be included when determining those grades.
A Tennessee law passed in 2016 requires the letter grades, but testing issues and the Covid-19 pandemic pushed the measure. The first round of letter grades is expected to be released with the annual report card from the Tennessee Department of Education in November.
Currently, the annual report card shows school performance on a scale of 1-4, with 4 being the highest. Categories include attendance rates, achievement, growth, and graduation rate.
According to a news release from the TDOE, “the state’s letter grade legislation is intended to provide a snapshot of how each school performed during the previous academic year and compare those results over time.”
The TDOE will be holding several town hall meetings across the state as well as opening up a forum on social media and accepting comments to gather public opinion. They are seeking input as to the best means of measuring school performance and ensure transparency in the explanation of the new letter grades.
“Tennesseans deserve an accountability system that produces clear information about how our schools are performing so they can best engage to support their student’s education,” stated the release. “Similarly, as students are already returning to classrooms following summer break, Tennessee schools and districts need clear information on how they will be measured this fall.”
State Commissioner of Education Lizette Reynolds said, “Whether you are a student, parent, teacher, policymaker, or an interested community member, school letter grades will empower all Tennesseans with the information they need to support K-12 public education and our local schools. I encourage all Tennesseans to join us at a town hall or submit a public comment to share what you want to know about schools in your community and how they are serving your kids.”
Public comment can be submitted via email at SchoolLetterGrades@tnedu.gov until September 15. Information can also be found on the TDOE Facebook page.
Interested parties are also invited to attend one of the remaining town halls.
Northwest Region: Thursday, August 24 @ Dyersburg Middle School
Southeast Region: Tuesday, August 29 @ East Brainerd Annex in Chattanooga
East Region: Thursday, August 31 @ Central High School in Knoxville
Upper Cumberland Region: Tuesday, September 5 @ Cookeville High School
Mid-Cumberland Region: Wednesday, September 6 @ Ellington Agricultural Center in Nashville
South Central Region: Thursday, September 7 @ Shelbyville Central High School
I would like to see for our Grand Daughter’s sake and others as well; Throw Private schools as well in that mix. We know they do better than public but by how much and that might encourage our teachers union and politicians to do a better job if the differences are great. Just a thought! Is there any way you could legally force term limits on School Union leadership and to require members and non-members to sign a pledge of allegiance to our children and constitution instead of the communist manefesto.
Jere B
No
Unions are private socialist associations.
Yes, all schools public & private.
Add reading comprehension as a separate indicator.