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Tullahoma schools report testing start, kindergarten report-card review and third-grade literacy initiative
Summary
District leaders told the school board that TCAP and end-of-course testing began, the district nearly finalized a new kindergarten report card and screening process, and local teachers are participating in a Literacy Implementation Network grant focused on third-grade instruction and collaborative planning.
Tullahoma schools began TCAP and end-of-course testing this week, district staff told the board, and administrators asked families to ensure students arrive on time, rested and ready. Testing, including makeups, is expected to finish by April 25 at each school.
Why it matters: Test administration and the district's work on early literacy shape placement, instruction and accountability. The board received updates on a nearly completed kindergarten report card and a multi-year literacy implementation effort that began with a state grant and external partnership.
What the board heard
- Kindergarten report card and screener: Director of Teaching and Learning Dr. Christina Boone said kindergarten teachers volunteered to review and prototype a new kindergarten report card. The district also will use a uniform spring kindergarten screener for placement and to give teachers consistent baseline data across campuses.
- Hegarty and Bridge to Reading: The district adopted Hegarty and Bridge to Reading for pre-K, kindergarten and first grade last year. Teachers reported positively to instructional coaches after vendor follow-up visits; the programs were selected to strengthen systematic phonics instruction where prior benchmark materials lacked sufficient phonics emphasis.
- Literacy Implementation Network (NIET grant): The district joined a state-funded implementation network and selected a cohort of third-grade teachers to work closely with coaches through the grant. Staff said feedback from participating third-grade teams has been positive and that administrators asked for continuation of the work whether or not the grant is renewed. The plan is to extend the work to fourth grade next year and continue building K–2 foundations over time.
- Collaborative prep and professional learning: Robert E. Lee was invited to present the district's collaborative prep work at a NIET conference after developing in-depth lesson-prep practices for third-grade teams. District instructional coaches are planning follow-up sessions for fourth and fifth grade.
Ending
District leaders said they will report further details about final kindergarten report-card language and implementation timelines in upcoming meetings and will continue to plan professional learning tied to the new science and literacy resources.
