Standardized test scores will not be part of final grades

Results from the recent Tennessee standardized tests will not be factored into the final report card scores for students attending Rutherford County Schools this year, in accordance with state rules and regulations.

While the school district is expecting to receive the scores for all students soon, those scores will not be delivered to the district before the final five days of the school year, which is the state’s threshold for requiring the scores to be factored into final grades.

Rutherford County Schools’ final day of the academic year is Friday, May 26.

“We do not believe this is an issue with the testing system,” said Richard Zago, the assistant superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction for Rutherford County Schools. “The tests were taken with paper and pencil this year and went much smoother than the previous year. However, by taking the tests on paper, it takes the state longer to scan and score them.”

The scores will still be used to measure progress of schools, teachers and to help place students in advanced programs, such as the magnet schools, and honors courses once they are received from the state.

Zago added: “Next year, the high schools will be moving to pure online testing, and we will receive instant results and scores. So we want to ensure our students know that these tests are important measurement tools, and they should continue to make their best effort knowing these assessments factor into their final grades.”