It’s that time of year!  Every fall, a wide variety of data is released to school systems as a result of the previous school year’s student assessments.  Like most systems, Kingsport City Schools takes a deep look at this information to determine where our students are progressing in their academic journey.  But perhaps more importantly, this data is analyzed to determine where we can improve efforts to help all students reach the highest possible levels of achievement and growth.

This week in the Saturday Six, we’ll take a look at several data points that provide information about how KCS is progressing on our desired journey to “world class!”

1. The ACT continues to serve as the benchmark assessment for high school students in Tennessee, and KCS has again registered one of the highest scores in the state.  Scoring at 22.4, the district had the seventh highest ACT average composite score in Tennessee and the highest of any district in our region!
2. KCS has placed a priority on supporting students in stretching themselves academically.  One key way this is occurring is through the offering of 24 Advanced Placement courses at Dobyns-Bennett, providing students with rigorous coursework that will well prepare them for future studies.  As AP participation continues to increase, KCS was one of only four districts in Tennessee to have over 70% of AP students score a three or higher on the 2017 AP exam.
3. The 2017 TNReady test data has revealed some high levels of success in subject areas across the district.  For instance, KCS had the third highest U.S. History proficiency rate in Tennessee on the 2017 TNReady test and the highest rate in the entire eastern region of the state!
4. U.S. History wasn’t the only subject where KCS finished third in Tennessee and tops in the eastern region… KCS Algebra II students also achieved this mark!
5. KCS students had the seventh highest Algebra I proficiency rate in the state on the 2017 TNReady Test.  This is especially significant considering these scores do not even include a high percentage of high achieving middle school students who took Algebra I in the spring.  These scores are accounted for in middle school math scores.
6. Finally, KCS students taking End of Course exams cracked the top-15 in Tennessee in a wide variety of subjects:
   • High School Social Studies – 3rd
   • High School Math – 8th
   • High School English/Language Arts – 10th
   • High School Science 12th
   • English I – 9th
   • English II – 12th
   • Biology – 12th
   • Chemistry – 15th

KCS administrators, teachers, and students will continue to analyze data as it arrives, seeking new insights and opportunities for improvement!

Next week in the Saturday Six:  The Kingsport Police Department partners with KCS to help provide the safest possible environment for students and staff.  To celebrate these efforts by the KPD, Wednesday, November 1 is “KCS Backs the Blue Day” across the district.  We encourage all of Kingsport to wear blue on Wednesday as a part of saying “thank you” and recognizing all these women and men do for us.  Next week, we’ll take a look at the ways KPD helps support Kingsport City Schools!