State Report Card - Results & Information

The results are in. I am sure many of you have questions regarding Knox County's report card and the criteria used to determine the scores. Instead of typing a very long explanation, I am providing links to give you this information. Please note the timeline as it relates to baseline and scoring methods.
In 2003, Tennessee set the state growth standards for each subject based on the progress rate of students in 1998. Since that time, all TCAP Criterion Reference Test (CRT) scale scores have been converted into state Normal Curve Equivalents (NCEs) consistent with the way calculations were preformed in the base year of 1998.
Since 2003, many districts and schools have regularly met the state’s growth standard (1998 base year). Calculations based on 1998 data show current levels Tennessee students would be considered passing state tests in all subjects and all grades.
In 2009 - 2010, the Tennessee Department of Education is implementing new curriculum, assessment standards and graduation requirements. To demonstrate student progress towards these higher expectations, it was necessary to revise the formula used for grades on the Report Card.
This year, the Tennessee Department of Education reset the growth standard to reflect the average student performance in 2009 providing a fixed transition point prior to the implementation of standards and assessments.

Please visit http://www.tsba.net/ At the top of the page you will see three links that are new and provide information on the following:

• New State Report Card Information
• Growth Standard for 2009
• Tennessee Diploma Project PowerPoint Presentation

You can visit our website http://www.knoxschools.org/ and view the report card as well.

If you want to discuss this or other matters, please feel free to e-mail me TDeakins@gmail.com or call me at 865.966.1370.

Thomas

School Coupon Campaign Starts Thursday

The coupon books cost $10.00 with $7.50 going to the school where the book is sold. Schools with a high number of economically disadvantaged students share $.90 from the sale of each book. Encyclopedia Britannica On-Line for all Knox County Schools’ libraries is funded by $.15 of the proceeds and another $.15 funds the “Schooled for Success” program, an eighth grade career awareness initiative in each Knox County middle school. The cost of printing is $.90 per book. Only $.40 of the book’s cost goes to cover administrative and student incentive cost.

The school coupon book contains money-saving offers worth more than $6000, providing discounts on fast food, fine dining, personal and professional services, as well as shopping and entertainment. Students sell the coupon books, which feature discount coupons for over 300 area merchants, in a two-week campaign conducted this year from Sept. 17 through Oct. 2.

“Fifteen cents from each book sale funds the Schooled for Success program,” said Bacon. “This is an eighth grade career awareness initiative in each Knox County middle school. It is a year-long program that culminates in an internship for many eight grade students. Students complete a portfolio focusing on self-assessment, career exploration, career planning, pre-employment skills development and employment skills development. They also have the opportunity to participate in a career fair that traditionally has exhibitors from over 100 local businesses and community organizations.”

“We understand that people have a lot of different views of the coupon book and school fundraising activities in general,” said Bacon. “But we feel that the book is a real value. It lets a buyer recoup his or her investment through the use of the coupons. There are not many $10.00 investments that can return up to $6,000.00 over the course of a year.”

PERFECT ACT SCORES @ FHS

Farragut seniors, Kevin Ye and Shreyas Dahotre, both scored a perfect 36 on their ACT exams. Less than 1/10th of 1% of all students taking the ACT score a perfect score.

Farragut High School has had at least one student score a 36 on the ACT every year for the past 4 years.

We are very proud of these young men and their accomplishments!

Open House & Parent Info Night - Schedule

Amherst Elementary

Parent Info Night - All Times- 6:00-7:00

• Kindergarten - September 3rd
• 1st Grade - August 31
• 2nd Grade - August 27th
• 3rd Grade - August 25th
• 4th & 5th Grades - Completed

Ball Camp Elementary

• Kindergarten Parent Info Night - 8/25 - 6:00-7:00 pm
• First grade Parent Info Night - 8/25 - 6:00 - 7:00 pm

Farragut Primary

Parent Night will begin at 6pm on each night and will end at 7pm.

Kindergarten=Tuesday, August 25th

1st Grade=Thursday, September 3

2nd Grade=Tuesday, September 1

Farragut Intermediate

Parent Info Night

4th Grade - August 25th - 6:30 pm

5th Grade - August 27th - 6:30 pm

PTA Open House All Grades - September 17th - 7:00 pm

Hardin Valley Elementary

Parent Night will begin at 6:00 and end at 7:15

August 25th - 2-3 grades

August 27th - 4-5 grades

September 10 - Kindergarten 6:00 - 7:00

Farragut Middle

6th Grade Open House will be Monday, August 31 at 6 P.M.

7th and 8th Grade Open House will be Tuesday, September 1 at 6 P.M.

Farragut High School

Open House - September 10th - 7:00 -9:00 pm

Hardin Valley Academy

Open House on August 27 - 6:15 - 8:15 p.m

Please make sure to check your school's website or newsletter for any date and time changes.

Proposed High School Start Times - 9:30

Dr. McIntyre has proposed some of our high schools to start at 9:30 instead of 8:30 for the 2009-2010 school year. The change in start time would provide over $700K in transportation cost savings.

The only high school proposed for later start time in the 6th District - Hardin Valley Academy.

Other schools proposed for later start times - Bearden High, West High, Central High, Fulton High, South-Doyle High, Gibbs High and KAEC.


Please send your thoughts to me at TDeakins@gmail.com regarding the proposed high school start time of 9:30.


Thanks!

Thomas

Pre-Kindergarten Roundup scheduled

Knox County Schools will hold a Pre-Kindergarten Round Up to receive applications for the Governor’s Voluntary Pre-K Program the week of April 27 at 13 sites around the county. To attend the Pre-K Program, students must be four years old on or before September 30, 2009 and reside in Knox County.

All applications will be accepted however, students who qualify for free or reduced price meals will be enrolled first. If space is available, other may be enrolled who meet any of the following criteria:

Receive special education services · Non-English speakers· Are in state custody· Have a history of abuse/neglect

Families are asked to bring proof of residency in Knox County (utility bill, rental agreement, etc.) and verification of income (W-2 form, verification of sibling’s free/reduced meal status, paycheck stub, AFDC, etc.)

Acceptance into the program and specific locations of programs for the 2009-10 school year will be determined following grant approval from the Tennessee State Department of Education.

Applications will be taken at the Pre-K school sites at the following times: Monday, April 27th 3:00-6:00 PM

Karns Elementary Preschool Mooreland Heights Elementary Pleasant Ridge Elementary Sunnyview Primary (3:00-5:00 PM)

Tuesday, April 28th 3:00-6:00 PM

Brickey-McCloud Elementary East Knox Elementary Gibbs Elementary Sarah Moore Greene Elementary South Knox Elementary West Hills Elementary West View Elementary

Thursday, April 30th 3:00-6:00 PM Ft. Sanders Center Ritta Elementary

For more information, contact the school or visit the Knox County Schools website at www.knoxschools.org.

Meeting with Dr. McIntyre at FHS

Dr. McIntyre and I will be at FHS on Tuesday, March 3rd from 6:30-7:30pm in the FHS library. The purpose of the meeting is to provide FHS parents and Farragut community members accurate information relating to the budget and staffing formula. We will have a Q&A session.

See you on March 3rd.

Thomas

BUDGET UPDATE

The media has reported our budget issues as well as potential cuts at FHS. Please know that the budget is still a work in progress. We are looking at all areas within the Knox County school system to improve efficiencies and eliminate spending. The Central Office is not exempt!

Dr. McIntyre presented the school board with a staffing formula that will be used to staff schools. I think the formula presented by Dr. McIntyre is a complete shift in how we operate as a school system. The formula allows us to be transparent as to how we staff schools and spend money. The downside to using this formula is one where some of our schools will see impacts as it relates to staffing.

Farragut and Karns High Schools will see a loss of teachers as we implement the staffing plan. Student enrollment plays a big factor into the staffing formula. The projected enrollment at FHS and Karns is projected to drop as we add the 9th grade class to Hardin Valley Academy. The enrollment at FHS is projected to drop as students move to BHS and HVA. The enrollment at KHS is projected to drop as students shift from KHS to HVA.

The projected enrollment at FHS is still a work in progress. I know that Dr. McIntyre and Mr. Reynolds are still working on projected enrollment numbers. I have asked Dr. McIntyre and his staff to double check the data sources and projections. We cannot make cuts based on bad data.

Please check back as I will keep this blog updated as I receive more information. You are more than welcome to contact me - TDeakins@gmail.com or 865-966-1370. Please note that I read every e-mail. I will return your e-mail / phone call when I have new information.

Thomas

MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM THE DEAKINS!

&

HAPPY NEW YEAR!