Local schools score higher than state, other metro areas

By Beverly A. Carroll Staff Writer

Hamilton County elementary and middle school students are learning more than the state standard in reading and math, and high school students rank at the top in writing, according to tests that measure how much students learn from year to year. 'We outperformed the state and other urban districts in most areas,' schools Superintendent Jesse Register said. 'It speaks to the hard work of our teachers and administrators.' Districtwide, Hamilton County students scored a B in math, science and social studies, which means they learned more than the state standard, measured by a C, according to the value-added portion of the state report card, which was released today. The district scored a C in language/reading on the tests, which are given each spring to fourth- through eighth-grade students.

Value-added scores, which measure the academic gains students make from year to year, were not available during the November release of the annual report card.

'Value-added (scores) gives feedback to school leaders and teachers about student progress,' state education Commissioner Lana Seivers said. 'It’s important to know how students grow from year to year to determine whether they are catching up or falling behind.'

The value-added scores are part of the state’s accountability plan that measures academic achievement and student progress. Low-performing schools can report low achievement scores but still score high value-added scores.

'When I see a school with good value-added scores and low (academic scores), I see a school that is closing the gap,' Dr. Register said.

Hamilton County test scores are showing overall improvement, Dr. Register said. Since the 1997 merger of Chattanooga Public Schools and county schools, schools officials have adopted new math and reading programs, increased the focus on literacy in all grades and instituted reform programs in elementary and high schools.

'Changing test scores is hard work, and it takes a long time,' Dr. Register said. Hardy Elementary School was once among the lowest-scoring elementary schools in the state. This year the school, which raised its academic scores but still is below the norm of 50, made enough progress to move off academic probation. The school scored an A in all four subject areas of the value-added report. The state standard for one year’s growth is set at 0.0, according to Mary Reel, state education director of evaluation and assessment. In the past, a score of 100 reflected one year’s learning gain, but the scores were converted to reflect adjustments in state tests to meet federal No Child Left Behind requirements.

Hamilton County eighth-graders surpassed the zero standard in math, earning 1.2 for a three-year average. Educators use three-year averages to show student learning over time. The county’s fifth-graders earned a three-year average of 0.7 in reading/language.

Those two years are significant predicators for academic success, educators said. Students with math mastery in the eighth grade are likely to have success in high school math. Proficiency in reading/language in the fifth grade suggests students are reading at or above grade level, a skill necessary to academic achievement throughout school. 'Fifth grade is the culmination of elementary school learning,' Dr. Register said.

State director of research and evaluations Ben Brown said the letter grades assigned to value-added scores are the best standard for parents to use to evaluate a school’s performance. 'If I send a child to a school, I don’t care if it’s high performing or low performing,' Dr. Brown said. 'I want that child to grow academically, one year’s worth, each and every year.' In addition to writing, Hamilton County high school students scored above target scores in math and English Gateways and other end-of-course exams. The students also scored above the ACT targets in English, math and science.

E-mail Beverly A. Carroll at bcarroll@timesfreepress.com

ON THE WEB: To access value-added test scores, go to the Tennessee Department of Education Website at: www.state.tn.us/education and click on the 2004 Report Card link.


For more information on Hamilton County Schools, visit the Hamilton County Department of Education Web site at:www.hcde.org