Knox County Schools

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A vision for The Knox County Schools

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Superintendent of Schools Dr. Jim McIntyre presented observations and findings from his first 100 working days and offered a vision for the The Knox County Schools to the Knox County Board of Education at the monthly meeting Wednesday, December 3.

Dr. James P. McIntyre, Jr.
Superintendent

From the report:
For many years, the Knox County Schools has enjoyed a strong history and proud tradition of academic success, educational innovation, and instructional leadership in Tennessee. Our school district has been the regional leader in school reform, promising teaching practice, the use of data to inform decision-making, and most importantly, student outcomes. As we look to the future, and consider the challenges that face our children, our community and our nation, we know that we must accelerate our progress, but this rich tradition of achievement will be the foundation upon which we build our path to excellence for all children.

Over the last 100 working days I have spoken with hundreds of students, parents, teachers, principals, school system staff members, community leaders, and business leaders. I have examined data and reports on many aspects of our performance, and I have consulted with leaders in the education field from around the country. I have had detailed discussions with Board of Education members, and hosted two community forums focused on the future of the Knox County Schools. I have been deliberate about listening to, and learning from the people of Knox County, and I have made it a priority to visit more than half of our schools this fall.

Findings
Some of my findings and observations about our school district include:

•    We are fortunate to have talented and committed people
•    We care about our students and their learning
•    Our parents and community are deeply committed to the education of our children
•    Our current level of funding for public education is less than optimal
•    We are innovative and open to good ideas
•    Our teachers are competent and caring, but largely do not work collaboratively
•    Our community is generally quite satisfied with the current level of student achievement
•    We have the potential and capacity to achieve much more
•    At all levels, we need and desire strong leadership, clear direction, and a bold vision for the future

Vision
I envision a future for the Knox County Schools where all of our students achieve at high levels and every school is a school of distinction; a future where high expectations and teacher collaboration are universal, and where data and technology are leveraged to improve instruction and deliver services at maximum efficiency and effectiveness.

I believe that innovation and creativity will be the hallmarks of our school district: in teaching, in management and particularly in student learning.

Parents, community members, universities and businesses will all be active, engaged partners in the education of our young people.

Financial resources will be tightly aligned to support our educational mission.

Children will begin their education at an early age, and high quality instruction, rigorous curriculum, and high standards will permeate the educational landscape from early education to graduation.

High school students will have multiple options and pathways of high-level coursework to achieve a meaningful and valuable diploma.

Presentation to Board of
Education 12/03/08

All of our teachers will be outstanding instructional practitioners and will be selected, inducted, supported, promoted, evaluated and compensated as professionals.

Achievement gaps based on income, race, geography, language or disability will be reduced and ultimately eliminated as all students demonstrate mastery of our challenging curricular standards.

All of our students will graduate high school ready for college, career and life.

In short, I envision a future where we will achieve academic excellence for all of our children.

Annenberg report on Central Office Review for Results and Equity

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Report Contents

Common Questions about the report

Presentation to Board of Education (pdf)

Slide show of Presentation

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Sept. 22, 2008: The Annenberg Institute for School Reform released a comprehensive report culminating the year-long Central Office Review for Results and Equity undertaken by Annenberg, the school system and the Great Schools Partnership.

The Central Office Review for Results and Equity (CORRE) looks closely at how the central office serves its schools and the district. CORRE is based on research into how district central offices can support schools and high student achievement. A district CORRE Team, facilitated by Annenberg Institute staff, worked over several months to identify high-priority issues in the district, gather quantitative and qualitative data. The Annenberg Institute for School Reform then analyzed the data, identified gaps to close and made recommendations for improvement. (Read More)

Parent Alert:
Rise in Teen Prescription Drug Abuse Seen

By Meredith Whitfield, KCS Public Affairs Department
That little bottle of almost-forgotten prescription drugs in the kitchen cabinet could prove just as dangerous and addictive as any drug sold on the street.

According to the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP), prescription drug abuse among teens is increasing rapidly, in part because of the misperception that they are safer than “street drugs,” and in part simply because of their availability at home and from friends.

Although the rate of drug abuse among teens is down overall, a single category remains on the rise: prescription drug abuse. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration reports that 2500 adolescents aged 12 to 17 try a painkiller for the first time each day. According to the ONDCP, the number of first-time abusers of prescription drugs now matches the number of first-time abusers of marijuana. This problem has already manifested itself in Knox County.

"We are seeing more frequent abuse of prescription drugs in our cases at Juvenile Court,” said Juvenile Court Judge Tim Irwin. (Read More)

Board of Education 2009 budget