By Sabrina Wallace

Publicly funded schools are subject to tests that determine the proficiency of the students enrolled in the schools because of No Child Left Behind (NCLB). For some time now the Jackson-Madison County School System (JMCSS) has not been considered to be in “Good Standing”…..until now. To be considered in “Good Standing” the district must reach the required benchmarks two years in a row. This is the first time since NCLB was enacted that the JMCSS has done this.

The Tennessee Report Card that was released at the beginning of January shows that the local school system has maintained a “D” in all subject areas. Even though this does show there is a lot of work to be done, this is still an improvement over previous years. Over the last year, the curriculum for Tennessee schools has become more difficult. For example, elementary grades are now being taught subjects that used to be taught to students in middle school. For the schools to be able to maintain a “D” even with the increase in difficulty is a huge step in the right direction.

Even though the JMCSS is in Good Standing with 19 individual schools making the grade, there are a few schools that still have not met the required benchmarks to be considered in “Good Standing.” Those schools are Lincoln Elementary, Rose Hill Middle School, Tigrett Middle School, North Parkway Elementary (now North Parkway Middle), Andrew Jackson Intermediate School (now Andrew Jackson Elementary), East Intermediate School (now East Elementary), Liberty High School, and Jackson-Central Merry High (JCM). The schools that have been in transition to elementary schools have been submitted by the school system to NCLB so that the benchmark requirements can be updated to those for elementary schools. Liberty High School met the benchmark last year, but must again meet the benchmark for a second year in a row in order to be considered in “Good Standing.” JCM has also made improvements in their graduation rates, going from 63.4% in 2009 to 81.5% in 2010. Although this is a big improvement they still have not met the required benchmarks.

JMCSS is working hard to make sure all schools meet the required benchmarks over the next couple of years. They are doing so by using extensive training for the teachers as well as getting assistance from the state when needed. If the school system continues on the path that they have been taking then our local public schools will finally all make the grade.