MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The Achievement School District will not hold TNReady scores against priority schools for the 2015-16 school year.
There have been issues with TNReady which is the state’s new achievement testing system for grades 3-11.
The ASD takes over Tennessee schools that are in the bottom 5 percent of schools in the state.
This decision by the ASD means no news schools will be taken over during the 2017-18 school year.
“Extending flexibility to Priority schools during this transition mirrors the flexibility we have offered to teachers and students,” Commissioner Candice McQueen said in a news release. “We remain committed to improving all schools as well as the work being done by the ASD and its long-term impact on Tennessee’s ability to help students find the path to a better future.”
This does not mean schools will not still be monitored, according to the Achievement School District.
Due to the many issues with TNReady, there have been petitions to stop the next part of the testing process.
When it came time to administer Part I of the new state test online, the system failed.
The Tennessee Department of Education decided to offer the test in paper and pencil form.
However, there were several delays getting those paper tests to districts.
Shelby County Schools was still finishing Part I of testing leading up to spring break.
The testing window for Part II is slated to open April 25.
Shelby County Schools released the following statement:
“We are aware that the Achievement School District will not add new underperforming schools in the 2017-2018 school year in light of complications with this year’s TNReady testing.
“We recognize this does not eliminate the sense of urgency to provide our underperforming schools with appropriate intervention models to ensure academic growth. This gives us more opportunity to work closely with the educators and families in our communities to accelerate student achievement.”