Annual Performance Report Highlights Tennessee Schools
Nashville, TN – On Friday, the Tennessee Department of Education released its annual list detailing the highest and lowest-performing public schools and districts for the 2023-2024 school year. This report is significant as it sheds light on the educational landscape of the state, celebrating high achievers while identifying those in need of support.
Who Are the Winners?
A total of 377 schools across 97 districts achieved reward status this year, indicating high performance or notable improvements. This number reflects a slight decline from the previous year, which saw 400 schools recognized in 98 districts. The highest recognition for districts comes in the form of “exemplary status,” which was awarded to 10 districts that demonstrated strong overall performance.
What Does This Report Mean?
According to Tennessee Commissioner of Education Lizzette Reynolds, these awards serve as a tribute to the hard work and dedication of teachers and administrators committed to student success. Reynolds emphasized, “This annual recognition is the result of our teachers, along with school and district leaders, who are committed to student success every day.”
How Are Schools Evaluated?
Schools earn reward status by achieving high performance levels, meeting specific performance improvement goals, or both. Conversely, schools designated as “priority schools” fall into the lowest 5% of student performance or maintain graduation rates below 67%. These schools receive comprehensive support and improvement as mandated by federal guidelines.
Where Do We Stand?
For the 2023-2024 school year, the Tennessee Department of Education has outlined the top-performing schools and districts. The full data is accessible for parents and community members who wish to see how their local schools rank. This list highlights both achievements and areas requiring attention within the state’s education system.
Why Is This Important?
The performance status impacts not only resources allocated to these schools but also the community’s perception and involvement in local education. Recognizing institutions that excel helps promote best practices, while acknowledgment of schools in need aims to foster advocacy and improvement efforts from stakeholders.
Details on Exemplary and Priority Districts
To achieve exemplary status, districts must attain an overall performance score of 3.1 or higher on a scale of 4. Unfortunately, 10 districts fell into the “in need of improvement” category due to their overall scores being within the bottom 5% compared to others across the state.
Conclusion and Further Information
For those interested in exploring the detailed standings, including which specific schools received rewards or need improvement, the data can be accessed through the Tennessee Department of Education’s official website. The information not only tells a story of success but also brings to light the ongoing challenges within Tennessee’s education system.
As Tennessee moves forward into the 2023-2024 school year, all eyes will be on the efforts of both high-performing and struggling schools to enhance educational outcomes for students.
