UPDATE: Rutherford Co. One of the Best School Districts in State of TN

Rutherford County Schools ranks among the best school districts in the state, according to the 2011 Tennessee Report Card on K-12 Education which was released today.

The Tennessee Report Card is an annual announcement that details how each school district and school is meeting the requirements of No Child Left Behind and state education achievement standards. The report reflects significantly increased academic standards the state adopted as part of its First to the Top initiative and the Tennessee Diploma Project.

Despite the increased standards, Rutherford County Schools showed academic growth in nearly all areas.

“I’m pleased with how our district performed, and I’m especially proud our district once again led the way in Tennessee,” Director of Schools Harry Gill said.  “There will always be challenges, but we will continue to use the information in the report to build upon our successes and learn from areas that need improvement.”

RCS ACCOMPLISHMENTS

In achievement for grades 3-8, Rutherford County Schools received A’s in every category, which includes math, reading/language, science and social studies. Last year, the report scored RCS with three A’s and a B for math. For 2011, the district also received all A’s for its writing scores, which are measured in 5^th, 8^th and 11^th grades.

The district’s ACT scores were above the state scores for both the three-year average and for individual years. (Note: In 2009, the state began requiring all students to take the ACT during their junior year regardless of whether the students are planning to attend college, which is why there is a slight dip reflected between 2009 and 2010).

For Value-Added learning gains in grades K-8, RCS scored three B’s and a C, which is up from three C’s and a B in 2010. On the high school level, the district scored above the predicted scores in Biology I, U.S. History and writing. There was “No Detectable Difference” based on the predicted score in the other high school subjects, which is a neutral grade.

Rutherford County’s graduation rate increased from 89.4% in 2010 to 91.5% in 2011, and the district’s attendance rate was 95.8%. In addition, LaVergne High School saw a significant increase in its graduation rate for 2011. The school’s graduation rate increased 12 points in one year, from 77.5% in 2010 to 89.5% in 2011.

The report also shows that 99.9% of core courses were taught by highly qualified teachers, and that the school district’s funding was nearly $1,000 per pupil below the state average. The average per pupil expenditure in Rutherford County was $8,095 compared to the state average of $9,084.

AREAS NEEDING IMPROVEMENT

Rock Springs Middle School in Smyrna has been classified as “School Improvement II” for not meeting the academic requirements in math overall and in two subgroups: African American and Students with Disabilities.

The state previously released this information to districts and the public during the summer. Mr. Gill and the school’s new principal, Chris Treadway, have already implemented strategies to help the school improve its math scores, including additional instruction time targeted at those students who are struggling.