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Great things are happening
in Hamilton County Schools!
Students and teachers are demonstrating excellence even as the curriculum continues
to become more rigorous. But we still have work to do.
Now that most of our students are achieving academic proficiency as measured by
the TCAP and Gateway exams, we have set the goal of moving students to scoring advanced
on these standardized tests. When students score at this level, we know they have
been given the tools they need to successfully compete with their counterparts around
the country and around the world.
We are actively preparing our students to compete in the Global Economy and as such,
we know Proficient is not Sufficient.
We are making great strides in Hamilton County Schools. We continue to invest in
our future.
Elementary Schools:
Strong Showing In our elementary schools, 90%
of students are reading at or above grade level. Literacy and Everyday Math are
a primary focus in all schools with students on the road to success.
We are continuing reform efforts at the elementary level through an expansion of
the successful Benwood Initiative
and a variety of other instructional programs.
Model classrooms put an expert literacy and math teacher in our elementary schools.
These experts teach students ½ day and then model quality instruction and coach
other teachers the second half of the day. The District hopes to expand this program
to all elementary schools in the next two years.
Hamilton County Schools is also continuing its focus on improved literacy for all
students with a literacy block dedicated to reading and writing each day along with
quality assessments that test a student’s knowledge throughout the year in all core
subjects.
Middle Schools:
Engaged in Reform Hamilton County Schools is in
the second year of comprehensive middle school reforms, blending successful lessons
from the elementary and high school reform efforts.
These reform efforts continue to focus on the quality of literacy and math instruction
in all classrooms with individual plans for each school designed to help each campus
achieve success. These efforts include gender specific classes, flexibility in scheduling,
math coaches, literacy coaches, a greater offering of performing arts electives
and an increased use of technology in the classroom.
High Schools:
Graduating more kids With the transformation of high
schools in the last six years through reform efforts, Hamilton County Schools is
seeing better scores on English, Algebra and Biology Gateway exams along with more
graduates and fewer dropouts.
In 2006, Hamilton County had a 75.8% graduation rate and an 11.5% dropout rate.
We continue to increase the number of diplomas awarded each year and promote more
and more students from 9th to 10th grade, both of which are indicators of higher
graduation rates in the future.
Career Academies are also flourishing in Hamilton County high schools, allowing
students to become engaged in their education with relevant experiences and curriculum.
The District continues to partner with local businesses to offer students real-life
experiences through the Academy system.
These reform efforts have raised the bar for everyone and Hamilton County students
have shown they are up to the task, boasting higher achievement each year.
Investing in our Future
The value of a Hamilton County education has become well known across the community.
Hamilton County Schools boasts a high percentage of students who are proficient
in reading and math. And we are looking to raise the bar to enable our students
to score higher. To do this, we need everyone engaged in education: parents, teachers,
principals, community members, business people and elected officials.
The District enjoys broad support from the community, including the County Commission,
which funds approximately 53% of the District’s budget. And while this investment
in our schools is critical to success, being vested in education does not necessarily
mean dollars. Community members can invest in students through their time, efforts
and support of their neighborhood school.
When a community invests in public education, everyone benefits. We are educating
the future leaders of our community, country and world in our classrooms today.
The quality of life we enjoy tomorrow will depend on the job we do in our schools
today.
Come partner with us and help shape the future of Hamilton
County.