All three schools in the Tallassee City Schools system saw significant improvement in the report cards released Friday.
Systemwide, the score improved from a 78 to an 84, Tallassee Elementary improved from an 81 to an 88. Southside Middle School improved from a 75 to an 85 and Tallassee High School had the biggest jump from a 65 to a 76.
“We're proud of all of our schools and our students doing much better this year,” Tallassee City Schools superintendent Dr. Brock Nolin said. “I'll give credit to our students, our teachers and our parents.”
One area of drastic improvement is in chronic absenteeism, which Nolin and Tallassee City Schools have been working on since before last year’s report cards were released.
“We cut our chronic absenteeism in half,” Nolin said. “We're on track to lower that even again this year. So I have to really praise the parents for buying into that message and getting the kids to school.”
Chronic absenteeism is 18 absences both excused and unexcused.
At the high school chronic absenteeism was cut from 22.59 to 9.70 this year, while the graduation rate improved to 84.92 from 80.85. Academically the achievement score improved to 39.51 from 34.16 and academic growth improved to 86.15 from 62.81
At Southside, chronic absenteeism was cut from 23.83 to 10.92. Academic achievement improved from 61 to 66.63 and academic growth from 88.15 to 100.
At Tallassee Elementary School, chronic absenteeism decreased from 34.74 to 10.32. Academic achievement improved to 74.51 from 67.02. Academic growth maintained a 100.
Nolin said improvement in test scores is the result of strategies in the classroom.
“There is no doubt they learn more when at school,” Nolin said.
The single biggest change was chronic absenteeism. The system put incentives in place such as snacks and small parties for those who improved attendance or came to school regularly. Staff also went to the parents.
Nolin acknowledged test scores need improving but the scores don’t reflect the whole student.
“A test, that's one day and not a holistic view of an education the child gets,” Nolin said. “A lot of the test score goes into how the kid feels that day. Do they get a good breakfast? How serious are they taking the test?”
Nolin and the staff at Tallassee City Schools were given the report cards before Friday’s public release. Just like last year the system had already been tweaking its approach.
“We would love for every school in our district to be at B,” Nolin said. “That is our short-term goal. Our long-term goal is for every school to be an A. We are close at the elementary school. The closer you get to the A the harder it is to get. Overall I’m proud of all our schools, staff students and parents for these marked improvements. I’ve got confidence that we can continue to improve.”
