TDOE emphasized the importance of communicating key information about state priorities, such as those included in Tennessee’s ESSA Plan. In addition to stakeholder engagement in decision-making related to Tennessee’s ESSA plan, there are expectations for implementation monitoring and continuous improvement in state outcomes related to federal programs that include:
Title I, Part A: Improving Basic Programs
Title I, Part C: Education of Migratory Children
Title I, Part D: Prevention and Intervention Program for Children and Youth Who Are Neglected, Delinquent, or at-risk
Title II, Part A: Supporting Effective Instruction
Title III, Part A: Language Instruction for English Learners and Immigrant Students
Title IV: Student Support and Academic Enrichment
Title V, Part B: Rural Education Achievement Program
High-Leverage Problem
As part of ongoing implementation of its ESSA Plan, TDOE is preparing to launch a comprehensive school grading system. The annual report card for each school in a Tennessee district will include a letter grade ranging from A to F, based on student achievement data and other key factors (e.g., absenteeism) (Tennessee Department of Education, 2018). TDOE identified several areas in which the Region 5 CC team can help build TDOE’s human, organizational, and resource capacity.
Approach to Capacity Building Services
TDOE requested technical assistance in building capacity to:
Help stakeholders interpret information about school grades, understand how grades were calculated, and communicate accurate information to stakeholders.
Provide stakeholders with easily interpretable information that can be used to make data-driven decisions.
Help TDOE explain how schools can use the new A-F system in positive ways to accelerate school improvement and student achievement.
Develop and disseminate tools and/or resources that are tailored to targeted audiences (e.g., explaining benefits of the new A-F system for parents, students, teachers, etc.).
