Hamilton County School Superintendent Explains State Schools Report Card

This report uses a different grade scale, so there's no way to compare previous years' scores. But straight Cs don't look good on anyone's progress sheet. That's the letter awarded to all district-wide Kindergraten through 8th grade Academic Achievement and Value Added Academic Growth scores. State-wide it was all Bs.

There was some good news.  "Our writing score are as high as they've ever been. We have all As there," added Dr. Scales.

Since the whole state's letter grades have changed with the new system, a more accurate barometer may be comparing similar areas like Hamilton and Knox Counties. "They had Bs on achievement and we have Cs on achievement but our math is 49 and so we're one point away," explains Dr. Scales of the difference between Hamilton and Knox Counties.  "Reading, language arts, science and social studies, we're two points away so we're close," he added Tuesday afternoon.

But this new system makes schools accountable for all students, even after they've left a certain classroom.  "It's like quality control. When students pass the schoolwork and they are promoted, that that promotion equates to the state standards."

Dr. Scales points to smaller class sizes, especially in urban areas, more quality teachers and better leadership in schools as well getting more students to graduate as keys to the school system's improvement. Howard High's principal Paul David Smith adds parents to the equation: "We're not where we want to be, but with the parents, students, administrators and teachers all on the same page we'll get there," Smith said at the Tuesday press conference.

This year starts the new standard future years will be judged against.