Results

High Schools for a New Society

• In 2009, 2,361 students earned high school diplomas. This was an increase of 22% since 2004, when 1,941 earned diplomas.
• Of May 2009 graduates, 72% enrolled in college for the Fall 2009 semester.
• 1,522 graduates enrolled in 146 different colleges in 27 states.
• Hamilton County (adult) High School opened in the fall of 2004 to serve students who had fallen behind or dropped out. As of May 2008, Hamilton County High School has graduated 682 students, most of whom would have otherwise dropped out. Approximately a third of adult high graduates go on to enroll in college.
• Most students pass high school Gateway exams, so the focus is now on moving more students to advanced status. Advanced scores rose in all three Gateway subjects from 2003 to 2009:
  • In English, advanced scores rose from 50% to 72%.
  • In Algebra, advanced scores rose from 33% to 38%.
• All traditional Hamilton County high schools have freshmen academies and/or transition programs to help ninth graders make a successful transition to high school.
• Eleven high schools feature career academies for specialized academic training in subjects such as business & technology, construction, education, engineering, environmental sciences, global studies, health sciences, and transportation.

Middle Schools for a New Society

• The percentage of middle school students passing the state's reading exam increased from 84% in 2005 to 90% in 2009.
• The percentage of middle school students scoring advanced in reading increased from 30% in 2005 to 40% in 2009.
• The percentage of middle school students passing the state's mathematics exam increased from 86% in 2005 to 89% in 2009.
• The percentage of middle school students scoring advanced in mathematics increased from 30% in 2005 to 45% in 2009.

Benwood Initiative

• In 2009, 73% of Benwood (phase 1) 3rd graders passed the state exam in reading/language arts, up dramatically from 53% in 2003.
• In 2009, 69% of Benwood (phase 1) 3rd graders scored proficient or advanced in mathematics, up from 50% in 2003.
• Benwood I 5th graders saw even more dramatic improvements in math, with 89% passing the state exam in 2009. This is a big jump from 57% in 2003, which suggests a significant benefit from the model classroom teachers who work in grades 4 and 5.
• Similarly, 5th grade reading scores have jumped from 62% passing in 2003 to 89% in 2009.
• The Benwood Initiative has expanded to include 8 additional schools.
• The percentage of Benwood (phase 2) 5th graders passing the state TCAP exam in 2007 rose from 91% in language arts and 89% in math to 92% in both subjects in 2009.

Osborne Fellows Initiative

• As Osborne Fellows, 43 teachers working in high-poverty schools have earned a Masters Degree in Urban Education.
• Among the graduated Osborne Fellows, 40% are now serving in formal and informal leadership positions in their schools.

Leadership Initiative

• Since 1998, more than 375 Hamilton County teachers have benefited from the Leadership Fellows program.  41 Leadership Fellows are serving as principals, 42 as assistant principals, and 59 as teacher leaders, including lead/model classroom teachers, instructional coaches, and directors, coordinators, or supervisors.
• Over 200 teachers and principals attended the Summer Leadership Institute in June 2011.
• 13 aspiring principals gradated from the first class of the Principal Leadership Academy.  Six of these graduates were selected as principals, five in Hamilton County and one in Nashville.
• 81 principals attended the winter principals' retreat in January.