District report cards see some improvements but more needs to be done
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JACKSON, Tenn — The state releases report cards on schools across the state. The report has both good news and bad news for the local Jackson-Madison County School District with some scores improving, but school officials more work needs to be done. “We have some work we need to continue doing, and we have a focus that we have to make sure we experience some growth and improvement in the middle school level at all three grades,” JMCSS Superintendent Dr. Verna Ruffin told WBBJ Thursday. The district has partnered with the State Department of Education to implement a new literacy plan that will hopefully to improve reading scores in kindergarten through 3rd grades. “This allows us to have a trainer in Jackson-Madison County schools to train our kindergarten through 3rd grade teachers,” Dr. Ruffin said. “Prepare them to teach, what we call the Tear I, which is what every child should know in literacy.” This year TCAP will not be issued, but a new harder and more vigorous assessment that matches the standards already in the classroom will be, and has some people worried. “I’m worried because I don’t think that students are prepared for what they are gonna be tested on,” parent Julia Emison said. Dr. Ruffin believes the new test will be a baseline for the coming years. Test scores across the state are projected to drop this year, but the district says their restructuring plan, “Vision 20/20” will allow schools to address specific school needs. “I think it is a time to celebrate those good things that are happening, not be compliant, but also recognize that some schools remain struggling,” Dr. Ruffin explained. “We will have an opportunity to address that more strategically once we realize Vision 20/20.”
Parents said they are seeing an improvements in the classrooms. “His teachers are awesome so I am pleased with that they are doing, I’ve seen growth.” said Emison. Dr. Ruffin said schools such as Lincoln and JCT will also continue to to receive the state grants that allow them to have additional resources.
