New Year’s Day is a natural point in time to examine the previous year, celebrating successes, before diving into the following year. As the year closes, we take time to look back at the SCORE Sheet posts that prompted and shaped online conversation on education in Tennessee as measured by views and engagement on these posts.
The most popular posts showcased education successes in Tennessee or shared new developments in education in the state, indicating a keen interest in learning about best practices and trends.
So, before we move into 2017, we would like to share with you the top five engaging posts of 2016.
Trousdale County Fosters Success with Personal Attention and Innovative Use of Data by Amy Griffith Graydon
“At Trousdale County Schools, which also won the district SCORE Prize in 2013, value-added and assessment data are closely monitored from elementary school on. Value-added data guide about 85 percent of classroom forming decisions starting with late elementary grades. The district and schools use the data to divide students into three tertiles – low, medium, and high achievers – and monitor which teachers tend to foster the most growth from students within each group. Placements are adjusted based on student performance, as often as every nine weeks at the middle school grades.”
Tennessee Educator Fellowship: The Third Way for Teachers to Handle Change by Brad Gentry
“Embracing change or waiting for new changes never seemed like good options to me. I knew there had to be a better way, a way that my voice could be heard. Thanks to the Tennessee Educator Fellowship, I have found that third option. The Tennessee Educator Fellowship has given me many lessons that have helped shape my understanding of education in Tennessee. The fellowship taught me many skills and lessons which will follow me throughout my career, and I know I am a better educator for having participated in the fellowship.” 
Five Things Tennessee Parents Need to Know About ESSA by Rachel Miklaszewski
“Over the next several weeks, Tennesseans have the opportunity to offer community feedback on the state’s ESSA plan at town hall meetings hosted by the Tennessee Department of Education (TDOE). But if you aren’t closely following federal education policy you may be wondering, “What is ESSA? How do you even pronounce that? And most importantly, what does this mean for Tennessee students?”
Exploring the Links between Health and Educational Outcomes by Indira Dammu
“Research shows that physically healthy students tend to have better grades, school attendance, and classroom behavior. The impact is especially profound for students from historically underserved backgrounds. Participation in a free school breakfast program, for example, has been positively associated with students being on time; missing less school; and having better attention, behavior, math grades, and standardized test scores. Promoting student physical and mental health is a promising strategy that could have an impact on student achievement.”
Chamber Programs Help Rutherford County Students Chart Their Careers by Erika Leicht
“Students in Rutherford County Schools and Murfreesboro City Schools do not need to wait until high school to begin exploring career possibilities. Students in fourth, fifth, and sixth grades can participate in ACE (After-school Career Exploration), an after-school program coordinated by the Rutherford County Chamber of Commerce that educates students about high demand occupations and postsecondary opportunities.”
These posts are just the tip of the iceberg of Tennessee’s 2016 education work. As 2017 begins, the SCORE Sheet will continue to push forward posts that showcase success, highlight new areas for innovation, and encourage people to actively understand, talk, and participate in Tennessee’s continued progress in education. Thanks for reading in 2016 and if you have an idea for a 2017 SCORE Sheet post, please contact SCORE Communications Associate Rachel Miklaszewski.