Based on information released by the State Department of Education:

In the area of grades 3-8 Academic Achievement, Macon County received an average score in Math, Reading/Language Arts, and Social Studies, scoring just below the state average.

Red Boiling Springs Elementary School is currently in School improvement as a result of not making achievement levels in certain subgroups. This has been previously reported to the public.

Writing Assessment Scores held firm again this year, with a slight increase in the 11th grade results.

ACT scores are a measure grade 9-12 achievement. Last year, the test was no longer an option for our students. All eleventh grade students were required to take the ACT exam.

Our student’s composite grade (average of English, Math, Reading and Science/Reasoning) increased from a 20 in 2008 to a 20.4 in 2009.

Academic Growth (Value added Scores) measures improvement from one year to the next in each subject. The State Department of Education sets the growth rate for each grade and subject area. In Grades K-8, our system met or exceeded the prescribed growth rate for each grade and subject area. In Grades K-8, our system met or exceeded the prescribed growth rate in three academic areas: Reading/Language Arts, Social Studies and Science. Although our system did not make gains in Mathematics, our growth in was barely below the state prescribed rate.

Attendance, Promotion, and Dropout Rates all exceeded the state goal for 2008-09. Graduation rate has been an area of concern for our system in the past. Graduation rates listed on the report card reflect the 2007-08 school year. This is the same statewide and is due to the time frame in which the report card is released in relation to the end of summer school. Last year, both high schools met the benchmarks set by the State Department of Education. Macon County High School was identified as being in School Improvement 2 due to not making the rate for consecutive years. In 2007-08, MCHS made the prescribed rate. This is reflected on the 2009 report card and has moved the school into School improvement 2 - improving status. Next year’s report card will reflect the 2008-09 graduation rate, which MCHS also met. This should move MCHS back into Good Standing when it is released next school year.

The Macon County School system understands there are areas in which improvement is needed. These areas are being addressed by all parties. An exemplary educator works with the two of our schools currently not in Good Standing. A part of this endeavor is to analyze the individual school’s weaknesses and address them accordingly. System wide improvement methods revolve around the area of Professional Development opportunities, both local and statewide. In addition, our teachers are working hard to reach all students and promote success in their individual classrooms.

Official report cards for the state, individual school districts and respective schools in each district at http://www.tennessee.gov/education/reportcard.