School Improvement News
July 19, 2010
Dear East Cheatham Parent,
East Cheatham was identified by the Tennessee Department of Education (TDOE) as a “High Priority” school in School Improvement 1 for the 2009-2010 school year. This status will remain for the 2010-2011 school year until results of the latest test scores are available near the end of the fall semester. Because Tennessee has adopted new, more rigorous academic standards and assessment for grades K-12, the cut scores and performance levels could not be determined until after the 2009-2010 test administration. Adequate yearly progress (AYP) determinations and resulting school status assignments will not be made until that process is complete.
Schools that were identified as a “High Priority” Title 1 school for the 2009-2010 school year are required to notify parents of the public school choice option 14 days before the start of the school year 2010-2011. This is the reason that you are receiving this letter of notification.
Our school’s current status, School Improvement, means that students did not meet state and federal goals in 3rd and 4th grade, Reading/Language Arts, in the economically disadvantaged sub-group. The TDOE Statewide Report Card indicates that five of the district’s six elementary schools met state and federal goals. Ninety-one percent of the high school, eighty-nine percent of the state’s students scored proficient to advanced in mathematics and ninety-four percent scored proficient to advanced in reading. The state’s graduation rate was 82.2 percent.
Because East Cheatham Elementary is a Title 1 high priority school, your child is eligible to transfer to another public school in the district. You may choose to transfer your child to one of the following schools:
Choice School % of Students Proficient & Advanced in Math in 2008-2009 (Target 86%) % of Students Proficient & Advanced in Reading in 2008-2009 (Target 89%) Attendance Rate in 2008-2009 (Target 93%)
West Cheatham 98% 89% 94.5%
Ashland City 91% 91% 94.4%
If you choose to transfer your child, please be aware of the following:
Dear East Cheatham Parent,
East Cheatham was identified by the Tennessee Department of Education (TDOE) as a “High Priority” school in School Improvement 1 for the 2009-2010 school year. This status will remain for the 2010-2011 school year until results of the latest test scores are available near the end of the fall semester. Because Tennessee has adopted new, more rigorous academic standards and assessment for grades K-12, the cut scores and performance levels could not be determined until after the 2009-2010 test administration. Adequate yearly progress (AYP) determinations and resulting school status assignments will not be made until that process is complete.
Schools that were identified as a “High Priority” Title 1 school for the 2009-2010 school year are required to notify parents of the public school choice option 14 days before the start of the school year 2010-2011. This is the reason that you are receiving this letter of notification.
Our school’s current status, School Improvement, means that students did not meet state and federal goals in 3rd and 4th grade, Reading/Language Arts, in the economically disadvantaged sub-group. The TDOE Statewide Report Card indicates that five of the district’s six elementary schools met state and federal goals. Ninety-one percent of the high school, eighty-nine percent of the state’s students scored proficient to advanced in mathematics and ninety-four percent scored proficient to advanced in reading. The state’s graduation rate was 82.2 percent.
Because East Cheatham Elementary is a Title 1 high priority school, your child is eligible to transfer to another public school in the district. You may choose to transfer your child to one of the following schools:
Choice School % of Students Proficient & Advanced in Math in 2008-2009 (Target 86%) % of Students Proficient & Advanced in Reading in 2008-2009 (Target 89%) Attendance Rate in 2008-2009 (Target 93%)
West Cheatham 98% 89% 94.5%
Ashland City 91% 91% 94.4%
If you choose to transfer your child, please be aware of the following:
ü The district will provide or pay for transportation to and from your child’s Choice School as long as East Cheatham Elementary is a High Priority school identified for improvement. If East Cheatham Elementary meets achievement goals for two straight years, it will no longer be a High Priority school. During 2010-2011, school status determination will be made mid-year.
ü Your child will be allowed to remain at the new school until he/she completes the highest grade.
ü If funds are not available for all students to be transported, priority for transportation will be given to the lowest-achieving students from low-income families.
ü If request for a Choice School exceed that school’s capacity, priority for first choice will be given to lowest-achieving students from low-income families.
Our school is working hard with the state and district to increase student achievement in math and reading by:
ü Utilizing the Discovery Ed standards-based computer program to assess each student’s skill level and providing regular progress monitoring to determine how to help all students learn.
ü Training teachers to differentiate lessons and utilize brain-compatible teaching strategies to be able to teach the way students learn best.
ü Individualizing instruction by providing multiple interventions when students struggle.
ü Communicating with parents to address academic and non-academic concerns.
We encourage you to help by helping to make school attendance a priority and communicating with your child’s teachers regularly.
If you would like for your child to transfer, you must complete the attached form and return it no later than August 6, 2010, to Janeen Harris in the main office of ECES. The Title 1 Supervisor for the district will notify you by mail and telephone communication to provide transportation information and the date your child may start attending the Choice School. Please contact me at 792-5664 if you have questions or need more information.
If you decide not to transfer your child he /she may be eligible to participate in a free after-school tutoring program called Supplemental Education Services (SES). Eligible students are those from low-income families. If your child is eligible, you will receive more information by mail.
Sincerely,
Jenny Simpkins
Title 1 Supervisor
If you would like for your child to transfer, you must complete the attached form and return it no later than August 6, 2010, to Janeen Harris in the main office of ECES. The Title 1 Supervisor for the district will notify you by mail and telephone communication to provide transportation information and the date your child may start attending the Choice School. Please contact me at 792-5664 if you have questions or need more information.
If you decide not to transfer your child he /she may be eligible to participate in a free after-school tutoring program called Supplemental Education Services (SES). Eligible students are those from low-income families. If your child is eligible, you will receive more information by mail.
Sincerely,
Jenny Simpkins
Title 1 Supervisor