41.1 F
Clarksville
Friday, March 29, 2024
HomeEducationClarksville Montgomery County School System Graduation Rate continues to Climb

Clarksville Montgomery County School System Graduation Rate continues to Climb

State Report Card Released

The Clarksville-Montgomery County School SystemMontgomery County, TN – The Clarksville-Montgomery County School System overall is performing well based on data released today in the Tennessee 2011 Report Card. Among the high points of the data is the system’s continued improvement of its high school graduation rate at 93.5 percent. The chart can be found here.

“This school system, hand in hand with the community, has had a focused determination on improving the numbers of students graduating. We are seeing the fruits of our labor as we have moved from a rate of 76 percent in 2004 to where we are today,” according to Director of Schools Mike Harris. “It’s nice to drive into town and see the signs proclaiming ‘100% Graduation is Clarksville’s Business’ and know there is merit behind the words.”

In terms of achievement, the school system scored A’s in Science and Social Studies and B’s in Math and Reading/Language compared to the state’s scores of B’s in Math and Social Studies and C’s in Reading/Language and Science. The state has undergone several changes in recent years with the implementation of new curriculum standards and more rigorous assessment, while restructuring how scores are calculated. A “C” is the expected achievement for students,

Value-added measures student progress within a grade and subject, which demonstrates the influence the school has on the students’ performance. This reporting provides diagnostic information for improving educational opportunities for students at all achievement levels. CMCSS scored C’s in Math and Reading, a B in Social Studies and a D in Science for academic growth.

“We know there is work to do in science,” said Chief Academic officer B.J. Worthington. “We will continue to focus on the more rigorous standards in science. Our system-wide integration of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) will help us get where we need to be.” This year was the first for STEM to be integrated in all CMCSS schools.

Many schools experienced improvements in their scores. One example comes from Minglewood Elementary where Math scores went from a D to an A. Minglewood principal Jane Winter emphasized that the improvement came from “absolute focus.”

“We created the demand last year when we found there was a need in math. We came together as a staff and made a plan we called ‘mission possible.'”

She said that all teachers worked toward a 90 minute math block for students in kindergarten to fifth grade. She said resources went to supporting the focus, from professional development training on math teaching strategies to using hands-on activities for students.”

Here is the Value-Added chart for Minglewood Elementary:

Minglewood Elementary
Minglewood Elementary

 

RELATED ARTICLES

Latest Articles