Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the School Performance topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Rutherford County reports proficiency gains and large in-house professional development effort
Summary
Director Jimmy Sullivan highlighted gains across subjects (ELA to 50.3%, math to 50.2%, science 53.8%, social studies 58.8%) and described a two-day in-house 'summer summit' with 156 presenters and about 1,500 teachers, which Sullivan said replaced a prior $400,000 vendor contract.
Jimmy Sullivan told the Health & Education Committee the district has made substantial proficiency gains since 2021 and emphasized educator-led professional development this summer.
Sullivan said proficiency percentages rose in English language arts (from 37.3% to 50.3%), math (31.7% to 50.2%), science (46.5% to 53.8%) and social studies (45.6% to 58.8%). "All 4 subject areas across the grade bands being above 50% is a huge reason for us to celebrate," he said, and credited teachers and principals for day-to-day instruction and growth.
Sullivan described the district’s summer summit — an in-house professional-development event — where 156 presenters delivered sessions to roughly 1,500 teacher participants over two days. He contrasted that with a prior approach that cost about $400,000 per year to bring in an outside vendor, saying the district is leveraging internal expertise to reduce vendor costs while providing staff development.
Sullivan also reported staffing figures: out of 53 schools the district currently lists 14 certified teaching openings (mostly in special education) among about 3,600 certified staff.
