Schools to receive A-F grade in November

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Schools will now be receiving an A through F score as well as the students.

Chelsea Crawford, the Department of Education Chief of Staff said, “One of the pieces of legislation we are implementing for the first time this year is that letter grade system for schools. It’s a rating system of A, B, C, D, or F for schools in Tennessee.”

This legislation passed in 2016 but will be seen for the first time this November.

Crawford said, “Later this fall with the release of the state report card, for the first time, Tennesseans will see a particular school and all of that information about that school as well as the letter grade. A, B, C, D or F.”

Some people felt as if it was too soon.

Shannon Moody, a parent said, “I’m curious about these sessions and what we think is wrong with the current system and why we’re not looking at implementing that for this coming year.”

Others thought the A through F system isn’t accurate.

Christy Carroll-Highfill said, “I can tell you right now that if one of my children brought me home a C, we would have a very different conversation than if another child brought home a C. I have to look at that according to the child, so I think different parents and different households are going to look at those letters very differently.”

And some had suggestions for how the new system could operate better.

Sonia Stewart, Deputy Superintendent said, “If they are at grade level when they get here and they stay at grade level, good job school you are doing what you are supposed to do. But if you are below grade level and you get to grade level, now there is some deep learning that is going on, and I think that is a different conversation.”

Parents can expect to see their school’s grade level in November.

You can leave your own comments about the new system at SchoolLetterGrades@tnedu.gov.