District officials report rising ACT averages and improved school accountability

District academic leaders told the board the system is showing measurable improvement across multiple indicators, with several schools earning 'reward' status and systemwide ACT scores improving.

Brent Long reported that EO Kaufman recently earned reward school status, moved from a D to a C and then to an A in recent years, and saw growth scores increase to a 5. "Last year we were a 4. This year, we're a 5," Long said, attributing progress to focused instructional work and staff efforts.

Director of academics Miss Ridgeway explained state and federal accountability constructs — achievement, growth and 'growth 25' — and said the district has four schools with a state letter grade of 'A.' Assistant director Mr. Porter highlighted high-school-level measures and ACT performance: the district average ACT rose from 17.7 (2023) to 19.5 (current), with Summertown, Loretta and Lawrence County high schools posting notable gains.

Administrators credited targeted interventions, tutoring investments and ACT preparation incentives for the improvement. Mr. Porter said incentives and ACT prep contributed to higher retake performance for students who take the test more than once.

Board members asked for detail on subgroup targeting and what additional supports are needed; administrators said targeted and additionally targeted (TSI/ATSI) statuses carry different requirements and, where applicable, additional federal funds and monitoring.

Next steps for the district include continued tutoring, intervention investments and targeted supports for transition years such as sixth grade.