Rumor Mill-4889

Published September 29, 2011

The purpose of this section is to answer any questions parents, teachers or community members might have regarding the school district and to set the record straight in regards to any rumors that might be circulating.  If you have a question or have heard a rumor that you would like for us to address, simply SEND US your questions and we will respond to them in upcoming issues of IN FOCUS.  Below are some of the questions we received since our last newsletter.

What is the current status of a new high school in the Nolensville area?  Also, as we are new to Williamson County schools, what is the policy on "grandfathering" students into current high schools when a new one is built?

The district continues to evaluate sites within the proposed area, although we are not at a point that we can disclose the specific sites.  With regard to the actual construction and opening dates, we will be looking into this in October as we update our Five-Year Capital Plan.  The Williamson County School Board's grandfathering policy can be found ONLINE.

I understand that this year the TCAP scores will be incorporated into student grades.  I have several concerns about this, one of which is how the TCAP scores will be converted into a 1-100 scale.  Can you provide some information about this calculation and the methodology used to develop and validate it?  Will we be able to take my child's TCAP score from last year and determine what their TCAP "grade" would have been?

Yes, that is correct.  TCAP scores will be incorporated into the second semester (spring) final grade for the subjects of mathematics, reading/language arts, science and social studies.  Per School Board policy 4.700 (Testing Programs) the student’s TCAP score will comprise fifteen percent (15%) of the final second semester grade.  The Tennessee Department of Education will calculate the TCAP conversion on a 1-100 scoring range, for equitable distribution, based on how the State’s students perform on these assessments in the spring.  The State will then submit a score to the district for each 3^rd through 8^th grade student for each of the content areas.  To-date, we do not have information concerning their calculations or the methodology they will use.  Below is an example of our understandings on final grade averaging.

• Example of grading percentages for 3rd-5th TCAP inclusion into second semester grade;

Percentage of final grade:

• 3rd 9 weeks grade - 42.5%
• 4th 9 weeks grade - 42.5%
• TCAP Grade - 15.0%

Example of a final grade average:

• 3rd 9 weeks grade - 85 x .425 = 36.125 (B)
• 4th 9 weeks grade - 95 x .425 = 40.375 (A)
• TCAP Grade - 88 x .15 =   13.2  (B) (this grade to be determined by the State)

      89.70 (B)

       Final Grade = 90 (B)

Examples of the 6th–8th grade final grade is a bit more complicated.  The following chart is offered as an example for these grades, with the understanding that the administrator at the middle school should be contacted for specifics.  Not all middle schools administer a final exam in 7th grade.  The calculations also vary if a student is enrolled in an Algebra I course for high school credit.

Percentage of Assessments used to determine 2^nd Semester Final Grade for 6^th – 8^th grade students

Additionally, due to the fact that the State is responsible for the TCAP conversion of scores into a grade based on State-wide performances, it is unlikely that you would be able to take last year’s TCAP and determine a TCAP grade.  You could however loosely base a close estimate to a grade based on the TCAP achievement levels:

o   Advanced (A)

o   Proficient (B/C) (depending on range of scale)

o   Basic (C/D) (depending on range of scale)

o   Below basic (D/F) (depending on range of scale)

I have heard Hillsboro's enrollment has dropped significantly, that there is only one Kindergarten class and they are using classrooms for storage.  Did we not just spend money ADDING classrooms and upgrading sewer system out there?  What happened?

Hillsboro is off enrollment predictions for this year, but not by much.  We projected 516 students and are presently serving 492 K-8 students with an addition of 20 students in our Pre-K classroom for a total of 512.  The projection for the 2011-12 did not include the Pre-K classroom, so we are currently off projection by -24 students.

Presently Hillsboro has:

• 1 Pre-K class (85% of these students are zoned to Hillsboro for next year’s 2012-13 Kindergarten class)
• 1 Kindergarten (One kindergarten room is vacant…however, it is ready for use should enrollment continue to increase in the present K class of 21 students)
• 2 First grade classrooms
• 2 Second grade classrooms
• 2 Third grade classrooms
• 2 Fourth grade classrooms
• 2 Fifth grade classrooms
• 5 Sixth grade classrooms
• 5 Sixth grade classrooms
• 4 Seventh grade classrooms
• 4 Eighth grade classrooms

The new classrooms were built to help with middle school growth and allow for physical division in the school for elementary and middle school students.  This year the elementary and middle school students are separated by hallways.  Classrooms are not being used for storage.  Every available space is being used to serve students, from small group interventions to additional space for students to assemble for class work, projections, etc.

 We are indeed still working to meet State guidelines and requirements at our sewer treatment plant for the school.  The work is in progress and will be on-going for awhile.

What is happening with the Pinewood Elementary School property?  I drive by there every day and worry about the condition of the building and the cost if up keep, since closing our school was supposed to save money.

No decision has been finalized about the use of the property.  Discussions are ongoing.