Blount County Schools

EFFECTIVE INSTRUCTION
Blount County Schools will provide effective instruction for all students through a base of classroom non-negotiables and high expectations. Blount County Schools will improve student outcomes in grades K-12 through an intense focus on teaching and learning.

GOAL	Increase the percentage of third through fifth grade students at or above grade level in literacy by 10% each year, culminating in 83% of students scoring on track/mastery in 2026 as measured by the TNReady Assessment.
Action Step 1	Implement Wit & Wisdom curriculum adhering to the district provided pacing guide
Action Step 2	Utilize high impact strategies and differentiation in instruction for the benefit of all students
Action Step 3	Systematically monitor student growth and teacher impact, analyzing formative, summative and benchmark data to respond to student needs
Action Step 4	Students will participate in 150 minutes (K-2) or 120-150 minutes (3-5) of high quality Tier I ELA instruction daily
Action Step 5	Employment of small groups to meet individual students’ needs based on data analysis
Measurement and Progress	School Year 20-21: 33% School Year 21-22: 43% School Year 22-23: 53% School Year 23-24: 63% School Year 24-25: 73% School Year 25-26: 83%

 

GOAL	Increase kindergarten through third grade early literacy achievement by 2% each year, culminating in 96% of students at grade level or above as measured by the district benchmark assessment.
Action Step 1	Implement Wilson FUNdations curriculum with fidelity and integrity, adhering to the scope and sequence of the program as prescribed
Action Step 2	Administer all FUNdations end of unit tests and complete the Fundations Data Tracker
Action Step 3	Teachers will utilize data trends to reteach and reassess to achieve 80% skills mastery
Action Step 4	Intentional focus on fluency development, including decoding, vocabulary acquisition and high frequency/trick word recognition using district-provided instructional materials
Measurement and Progress	School Year 20-21: 86% School Year 21-22: 88% School Year 22-23: 90% School Year 23-24: 92% School Year 24-25: 94% School Year 25-26: 96%

 

GOAL	Schools will identify student needs and provide intentional support to increase student growth and achievement, as measured by district benchmark and assessment data.
Action Step 1	Provide Tier 2 & 3 intervention in Math and Reading to students identified by Data Team in addition to Tier 1 instructional time
Action Step 2	A transition opportunity may be provided between kindergarten and first grade for students who need additional time mastering early literacy skills
Action Step 3	Monitor the progress of all students receiving additional instruction per district schedule with fidelity
Action Step 4	Teachers will use data analysis to identify students above grade level, providing enrichment opportunities to maximize student growth
Action Step 5	Collaboration between all teachers, regular, ELL and SPED, teachers will occur throughout the year to analyze student needs and provide high quality instructional support to maximize student growth and achievement
Measurement  and Progress	*Utilizing the district benchmark, students in K-8th are expected to meet their yearly growth goal (one year of growth) by the year-end benchmark, including each subgroup identified within the school. * Students in grades 4th-8th grade will demonstrate a value-added growth of a year or more as measured by the TN State Assessment, including each subgroup identified within the school.

 

GOAL	Increase the percentage of on grade level readers in sixth through eighth grade achievement by 7% each year, culminating in 80% of students at grade level or above through a clearly defined secondary intervention program as measured by the district benchmark assessment.
Action Step 1	Provide a universal screener to all students at transition periods, specifically between 5th and 6th grades and 8th and 9th grades, as a tool to determine placement in reading intervention, closing gaps for students who are furthest behind academically
Action Step 2	Provide a dedicated reading intervention teacher at each middle and high school while providing a more defined intervention process and research-based tools to support gap closure for the students
Action Step 3	Identify and implement a research-based, reading intervention program for secondary students to be funded by the district
Measurement and Progress	School Year 20-21: 45% School Year 21-22: 52% School Year 22-23: 59% School Year 23-24: 66% School Year 24-25: 73% School Year 25-26: 80%

 

GOAL	Increase the percentage of sixth through tenth grade students scoring On Track/Mastery level in literacy by 5% each year, culminating in 60% of students demonstrating readiness for college and career opportunities by scoring On Track/Mastery in 2026 as measured by the TNReady Assessment.
Action Step 1	Implement the district curriculum with precision and integrity
Action Step 2	Provide regular practice with complex literary and information texts by reading, writing, and speaking/listening around a text every day
Action Step 3	Engage students through academic discourse with one another around the text and hold students accountable to one another to explain their thinking and provide relevant evidence
Action Step 4	Provide training opportunities for teachers to advance their effectiveness in collaborative planning and instructional protocols (planning and delivery of instruction)
Measurement and Progress	School Year 20-21: 35% School Year 21-22: 40% School Year 22-23: 45% School Year 23-24: 50% School Year 24-25: 55% School Year 25-26: 60%

 

GOAL	Increase the percentage of students prepared for post-secondary opportunities by 1.5% each year, culminating in 43.5% of students scoring at or above a 21 as measured on the ACT.
Action Step 1	Require ACT prep course in high school as a local graduation requirement (taught in 10th or 11th grade) by providing additional, district funded positions at each high school focused solely on ACT preparation
Action Step 2	Develop an ACT focused junior English curriculum; continue the emphasis on a variety of literary and informational texts as imbedded in the district curriculum for grades 6-10
Action Step 3	Focus on reading and writing across the curriculum with an emphasis on reading and responding to subject specific texts
Measurement and Progress	School Year 20-21: 36% School Year 21-22: 37.5% School Year 22-23: 39% School Year 23-24: 40.5% School Year 24-25: 42% School Year 25-26: 43.5%

 

EQUIPPED STUDENTS
In Blount County Schools, an equipped student has the academic foundation, skill development, career awareness, and personal disposition necessary to succeed at the next level. By focusing on meeting social/emotional needs, improving awareness of secondary programming and post-secondary opportunities, and increasing the percentage and diversity of Ready Graduates, BCS will produce students who are optimally equipped to meet academic, personal and professional challenges.

GOAL	BCS will improve our ability to address social/emotional and post-secondary preparedness for 100% of our students by optimizing staffing to meet those needs by 2026.
Action Step 1	Assess enrollment, student needs, course offerings, and funding allocations
Action Step 2	Review existing staff qualification and distribution
Action Step 3	Research needs related to social/emotional health and career awareness
Action Step 4	Provide PD geared toward equipping staff to meet needs
Action Step 5	Target recruitment to meet district needs
Measurement and Progress	School Year 20-21: 50% School Year 21-22: 60% School Year 22-23: 70% School Year 23-24: 80% School Year 24-25: 90% School Year 25-26: 100%

 

GOAL	BCS will create broader awareness of secondary programming and post-secondary opportunities for 100% of our students through improved communication with BCS staff, students, families and the broader community by 2026.
Action Step 1	Provide events such as a CTE showcase, career fairs, and college fairs at all levels
Action Step 2	Deploy a systemwide survey for parents, teachers, and students to determine the level of knowledge of college and career awareness
Action Step 3	Schedule a time for feeder elementary schools to tour and observe CTE programs at the high school level
Action Step 4	Develop and implement a required senior checklist including college and career awareness requirements
Action Step 5	Plan high school tours that include all programs of study for 8th graders
Action Step 6	Utilize a college and career event for elementary parent involvement programs
Measurement and Progress	School Year 20-21: 75% School Year 21-22: 80% School Year 22-23: 85% School Year 23-24: 90% School Year 24-25: 95% School Year 25-26: 100%

 

GOAL	BCS will increase the percentage and diversity of students achieving Ready Graduate Status to 70% by 2026.
Action Step 1	Create a Ready Graduate Task Force with representatives from all high schools to clarify terminology, requirements, and processes for all staff working directly and indirectly with Ready Graduate goals
Action Step 2	Create a workflow document with timelines and periodic touch points, overseen by Ready Graduate DRIs at each school
Action Step 3	Incorporate school counselors in the Ready Graduate process and clearly define their roles and responsibilities
Action Step 4	Use data sources such as ACT 8/9, YouScience, and National Student Clearinghouse Data to focus students on optimal Ready Graduate pathways that correspond with their aptitude and interests
Action Step 5	Analyze longitudinal data from National Student Clearinghouse to determine strengths and challenges based on student enrollment and persistence of outcomes
Action Step 6	Develop a grade-level specific approach for Ready Graduate that is consistent across all high schools
Action Step 7	Create resources for students and parents related to industry certifications and ASVAB
Measurement and Progress	School Year 20-21: 35.4% School Year 21-22: 42% School Year 22-23: 49% School Year 23-24: 57% School Year 24-25: 64% School Year 25-26: 70%

EXCELLENT CULTURE
Blount County Schools will provide an excellent culture where individuals are supported and opportunities are offered that reflect a diverse cultural context. In this culture, students and staff will see their value as part of the team through mutual respect, positive relationships and high expectations. This culture will be further supported by properly maintained, safe and well-equipped facilities.

GOAL	Improve the school experience for students by 2026 as measured in the following annual survey statements with 80% agreement: (1) I feel like I am an important part of my school; (2) Individual differences are recognized and celebrated at my school; and (3) I receive the emotional support I need at school.
Action Step 1	Evaluate extracurricular opportunities to provide students more connections to the school community
Action Step 2	Develop school-wide diversity plans focused on celebrating individual differences
Action Step 3	Increase counseling support district wide by adding two counselors per year for the next 5 years
Measurement and Progress	School Year 20-21: 40% School Year 21-22: 50% School Year 22-23: 60% School Year 23-24: 70% School Year 24-25: 80% School Year 25-26: 80%

 

GOAL	Improve educator compensation to rank in the top 25% of TN districts in all salary metrics by 2026.
Action Step 1	Collaborate with Blount County Education Association on an annual basis to study educator salaries and state rankings
Action Step 2	Provide a salary recommendation to the Board of Education annually by March
Action Step 3	Analyze rankings among regional county districts on an annual basis for recruiting purposes
Measurement and Progress	All salary metrics will measure within the TOP ___% in Tennessee. School Year 20-21: 85% School Year 21-22: 75% School Year 22-23: 60% School Year 23-24: 45% School Year 24-25: 35% School Year 25-26: 25%

 

GOAL	Increase the percentage of minority educators serving BCS students to 10% by 2026.
Action Step 1	Establish the BCS Recruiting Ambassador program with a focus on minority educator recruitment
Action Step 2	Establish a Grow Your Own program in each BCS high school to develop future educators
Action Step 3	Collaborate with minority educators and community organizations to inform and improve staff relations, educator recruitment, and diversity training
Measurement and Progress	School Year 20-21: 2% School Year 21-22: 3% School Year 22-23: 5% School Year 23-24: 7% School Year 24-25: 9% School Year 25-26: 10%

 

GOAL	Surround our students and employees with properly maintained, safe and well-equipped facilities.
Action Step 1	Complete a facilities condition assessment and prepare an inventory of all facility assets
Action Step 2	Complete a safety and security assessment of all schools
Action Step 3	Develop a district wide long-range capital plan
Action Step 4	Create a rotating plan for school flooring, painting, ceiling tiles and furniture
Action Step 5	Create a rotating plan for school flooring, painting, ceiling tiles and furniture
Action Step 6	Develop and complete a renovation plan and completion timeline for Eagleton College and Career Academy
Measurement and Progress	Action Step 1: December 31, 2021 Action Step 2: December 31, 2021 Action Step 3: April 1, 2022 Action Step 4: April 1, 2022 Action Step 5: July 30, 2026 Action Step 6: July 30, 2025