Our SACS Vision Statement

Student achievement at University School will continually improve over the next 5 years enabling us to accomplish our goal of becoming an exemplary school.

·       In 2008 we achieved the top rating in this region for yearly achievement gain among middle and K-8 schools on the Education Consumer Foundation ranking (see the K-8 and Middle School Effectiveness Ranking)
 

·       In 2008 we are receiving a state award for being one of the top schools in TN in student achievement gains
 

·       From 2003 - 2007 we have shown consistent student gains in all subject areas on our TVAAS scores  (see the TVAAS gains chart)

University School

School Improvement Results

TVAAS Gains Chart

2003-2007

March 13, 2008

Principal

Dear Principal,

I am pleased to inform you that the Education Consumers Foundation has identified seven Johnson City/Washington County schools that are among the most effective in Tennessee. We will be promoting this fact both locally and nationally, and we hope that you will join with us in bringing their superior work to light.

Based on our analysis of the data available from the Tennessee Department of Education, the Johnson City area has a greater concentration of effective schools than virtually any other urban area in the state. As part of our “Most Effective Schools” program, we will send each of these schools a certificate of recognition and put an ad in the Johnson City Press highlighting their achievement.

The schools are Boone’s Creek Elementary, Fall Branch Elementary, Indian Trail Middle, Towne Acres Elementary, University School, West View Elementary, and Woodland Elementary. All rank in the top 20% of Tennessee schools as measured by the annual math and reading/language achievement gains of their students
.
What is this recognition?
Unknown to most Tennesseans, Tennessee has what is arguably the most sophisticated educational accountability system in the country. Called the Tennessee Value-Added Assessment System (TVAAS), it measures how effective a given school (or a given teacher) is in lifting student achievement regardless of the student’s starting level or social and economic advantages or disadvantages. TVAAS scores are a true reflection of the work that each school is doing to advance the educational progress of its students, and our certificate is based on that measurement.

TVAAS is different from the more-familiar TCAP achievement scores. School TCAP averages are primarily an indicator of how many talented and advantaged students happen to attend a given school. By contrast, TVAAS scores indicate how much a school’s students are progressing from year to year. Because there can be very substantial differences in the starting levels of students from school to school, TCAP averages can be very misleading. Schools with high numbers of talented and advantaged students can look like they are doing a great job when, in truth, their students are making minimal progress. Schools with fewer talented and advantaged students can look like they are of lower quality when, in fact, their students are making great strides.

What Is the Education Consumers Foundation?
We are a wholly independent non-profit consumer organization, similar to the Consumers Union but focused exclusively on education. We are headquartered in Arlington, VA, with roots in Tennessee; but our work is mainly in cyberspace. We are targeting Tennessee because TVAAS is becoming a national model for school accountability. Ohio and Pennsylvania, for example, are years behind Tennessee but beginning to implement value-added assessment systems of their own. We have created a unique interactive graphic that permits users to easily see how local schools rank in comparison to other schools or districts within the state (see enclosed flyer), and we are planning to extend our work to other states in the coming months and years.

What does this award mean to parents and other stakeholders?
Our primary objective is to promote school quality by helping consumers understand which schools are most effective and which need to improve. This is important information for residents, of course, but it is also critical knowledge for families and companies interested in relocating. In particular, high-tech companies fleeing taxation and urban congestion want good schools, and Tennessee is one of the very few states where the best can be clearly identified.

How can you get involved?
Here are some ways that you can help us with our mission and highlight the educational advantages offered by the Johnson City area.

• Join with us in recognizing the Johnson City area’s most effective schools. Publicize the awards. Send a postcard to parents and other local residents as part of your engagement and outreach activities. We have samples. Organize or collaborate in a celebration.

• Help us build an informed constituency for effective schooling. Encourage everyone to visit our website at www.education-consumers.org and to compare Johnson City’s schools with other schools in Tennessee. Learn more about TVAAS and how better scores are critical to local workforce development.

• Look at our report (Effective Schools, Common Practices) on how the winners of our annual Principal Awards are making their schools so effective. Surprisingly, their success depends far more on good leadership and effective practices than added resources.

Tennessee is fortunate to have TVAAS. It affords Tennessee communities an unprecedented opportunity to highlight some of their greatest assets on a national stage. We hope you will take full advantage of the opportunity. E-mail or call us if we can be of help.

Cordially,

J.E. Stone, Ed.D.
President
Education Consumers Foundation