Parent Resources
As you know, our students are engaged in a more rigorous curriculum based on Tennessee’s higher academic standards, which went into effect last year. This rigor is necessary to prepare our students for college or the workplace and equip them with the skills needed to compete with their global counterparts. While we are excited that the bar has been raised for what our students will learn, these higher standards will likely result in lower test scores this year. This new benchmark, while hard to accept in the short term, will have positive benefits for students around our county. As we expect more, our children will achieve more.
Expect More Achieve More Brochure
What can you as a parent do?
1. Don’t get discouraged
A low score doesn’t mean your child is going backward in knowledge, but he/she needs to work harder to catch up to the higher standards, which are more demanding. Reassure your child that he/she is capable of doing the hard work that’s needed to succeed.
2. Ask for help
Call your child’s teacher/school to set up a time to discuss what can be done to help your child improve. Understand that the higher standards probably mean more homework. Your child will need your support.
3. Know the facts.
Understand why high standards are important for your child’s future. Life is no longer about competing with people in the same town. Today, Tennessee students compete with students from Japan, China and India. Also, a high school diploma is no longer a guarantee of success. Today, 80% of jobs require some type of training beyond high school.
If you have any questions about the new standards or what these expectations mean for our school system, please contact your school principal or teacher.
Parent Resources to download:
Community Meeting powerpoint
Parent resources packet