LEAD Statement on TCAP, TVAAS Results
LEAD Statement on TCAP, TVAAS Results
“As a network, we are excited to share the news that LEAD Public schools had another strong year academically. We are pleased to announce that four out of our five schools showed exceptional Level 5 growth as measured by the Tennessee Value-Added Assessment System, known as TVAAS. This is a testament to the hard work of our students and families and to the effectiveness of our curriculum frameworks and academic model. The state assessment scores released this week show our students are growing across our network and living our mantra of being prepared for college and prepared for life. We are convinced that our partnerships with Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools (MNPS) and the Achievement School District (ASD) are working and we are committed to continuing these important collaborations to serve students across the city.”
“The bottom line is four of our five campuses showed top-level growth while one of our campuses did not perform at an acceptable level. Turnaround work is exceedingly difficult and absolutely essential for our students and for the neighborhoods our schools serve. We remain committed to a long-term approach that ensures all families have a great school close to home. I invite you to come visit a campus and see firsthand the work and commitment of our students and staff.”
– Chris Reynolds, CEO
Here is brief snapshot of LEAD’s performance over the course of the 2014-2015 school year:
- LEAD Academy Middle School had a terrific year, showing major improvement in TCAP scores and was one of the top performing schools in Nashville in terms of growth as one of our four schools earning a Level 5 ranking.
- LEAD Prep Southeast continues to impress as a Level 5 TVAAS school and proficiency levels exceed the state in math and science, with math scores being among the highest in the entire district. The small group instruction occurring at this school is exceptional and we are over enrolled yet again.
- The transformation at Cameron College Prep continues to be a tremendous success with strong growth, Level 5 TVAAS scores yet again, and TCAP proficiency rates much higher than they were when we began the transformation process.
- Brick Church College Prep did not meet expectations this year and was our only school that didn’t earn Level 5 TVAAS ranking, being ranked as Level 1. TCAP proficiency rates declined, but in Math and Science they still significantly exceed pre-transformation levels, while Reading proficiency is essentially flat.
- Finally, in addition to 100 percent college acceptance of our second class of seniors, LEAD Academy High School exceeded the state average on five End-of-Course (EOC) exams and also earned a Level 5 TVAAS ranking. This exemplary performance confirms our belief in the potential of any student to achieve at the highest level.
Additional information:
In examining the data across our network it is clear we have much to celebrate, but must acknowledge that one of our schools did not perform up to expectations. After a year in which Brick Church College Prep earned accolades for being one of the highest-performing schools in the entire (ASD), we struggled during the 2014-2015 school year.
Even before these results were issued, we began making changes and have a targeted improvement plan well underway. We appointed a new school director and targeted additional professional development and coaching resources for teachers. We also refocused our efforts on a tight implementation of our successful English/Language Arts (ELA) and Math Curriculum Frameworks that have proven so successful in our other campuses and in 5th grade classes at Brick Church. Additionally, we are emphasizing writing across the curriculum in order to better prepare our students for TN Ready standards; carefully implementing targeted reading interventions and other elements of our extended reading block; and remain committed to our approach of providing related arts (physical education, art, technology, etc.) courses to our students as part of a well-rounded education.
To read our letter to the LEAD community that further discusses test scores and our work, please open the attached file.
