Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Tvos And District Performance topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
District touts consecutive 'level 5' growth record as state shifts TVOS scoring
Summary
Rutherford County Schools' directors reported the district earned a level 5 growth rating for six consecutive years and warned state changes to TVOS (including multi-year scoring and an 'effect size' adjustment) may reduce the number of level‑5 schools when cut scores are released this fall.
District directors presented a detailed briefing on Tennessee's student-growth measures (TVOS/TVAAS) and explained differences between growth and proficiency measures. Presenters emphasized that growth measures compare a student to their own past performance and peers with similar histories; achieving a "level 3" represents one year of growth, with higher levels indicating greater progress.
Directors highlighted Rutherford County Schools' performance: the district has been labeled a level 5 district for six consecutive school years and 32 of 48 tested schools earned level 5 last year. Staff said that growth tends to be a more equitable measure across districts because it accounts for where students started, while proficiency (achievement) depends on different state cut scores.
Officials warned the board of pending changes from the Tennessee Department of Education: the state is moving to a multi-year calculation that weights prior years and is introducing an 'effect size' adjustment that could redistribute school ratings toward a bell curve. Staff expressed concern that large districts and large schools could shift from level 5 to level 4 under the new method, noting the department planned to publish cut points for the new bands later this fall. They also noted planned TCAP administration changes requiring more online multi-select testing for grades 2–5 beginning in 2027 and said there will be budgetary and development considerations for devices and administration.
Board members asked how the new statistical method will affect teachers' evaluation scores and whether the change will disadvantage schools with high concentrations of English learners. Directors said teacher-level tested scores should not change in tested areas, but non-tested teachers whose evaluations rely on school-level ratings could see effects if a school rating drops.
Directors recommended continued monitoring and communication with state officials and said they had started outreach with municipal leaders to align perceptions and community support.
The briefing did not include final state cut scores; staff said those will be released later in the fall.
