With the release of the 2022 student testing data, Putnam County School System (PCSS) has many areas in which to be proud. Overall, Putnam County students showed increases in all academic areas. In grades 3-5, the number of students performing at or above expectations increased by three percentage points.  In grades 6-8, that number increased by almost four percentage points, and in grades 9-12, that number increased by eight percentage points.

Putnam County has more good news to celebrate as two schools received Reward status for the 2021-22 school year. Capshaw Elementary and Jere Whitson Elementary are the Putnam County schools that received Reward status, which means their school achieved a 3.1 GPA or higher. According to the Education Department, this is the top distinction a school can earn in Tennessee. Reward schools are improving overall student academic achievement and growth for all students and certain student groups, which are identified annually.

“We are proud of the successes shown by our students last year. I could not be more proud of Capshaw and Jere Whitson Elementary for earning Reward status.  Our students, teachers and staff have worked hard and we applaud them. There are always areas we can improve on, and as our schools complete their School Improvement Plans, our leadership, teachers and staff are committed to continuous improvement for our students and our schools,” said Corby King, Director of School for Putnam County. 

The student testing data also measures the percentage of students graduating on time, English language proficiency, chronic absenteeism, and English Language Arts (ELA) and math proficiency.  

Putnam County's percentage of students graduating on time increased from 90.8 percent to 91.9 percent.  English language proficiency for students who speak English as a second language increased from 26.8 percent to 37.9%.

The percentage of students with chronic absenteeism increased last year from 11 percent to 16.4 percent.

“Chronic absenteeism is based on students who are absent 10 percent or more of the time. We continue to struggle with chronic absenteeism. A lot of times we find that families do not realize that if their child misses 16 days of school they are considered chronically absent. Our district will continue to educate on chronic absenteeism and the importance of being at school,” said Time Martin, PCSS Deputy Director. 

In 2022, 36.7 percent of Putnam County students were at or above grade level in ELA compared to 36% of the State of Tennessee. In math, 32.5% of Putnam County students were at or above grade level compared to 30% of the State of Tennessee.

2022 Putnam County test scores:

Third Grade:

• ELA: 39.8% of students on or above grade level, up from 39.3% in 2021.

• Math: 45.5% of students on or above grade level, up from 41.2% in 2021.

Fourth Grade:

• ELA: 41.6% of students on or above grade level, up from 37.8% in 2021.

• Math: 45.8% of students on or above grade level, up from 44.5% in 2021.

Fifth Grade:

• ELA: 34.3% of students on or above grade level, up from 27% in 2021.

• Math: 38.2% of students on or above grade level, up from 36.3% in 2021.

Sixth Grade:

• ELA: 33.1% of students on or above grade level, up from 27% in 2021.

• Math: 30.4% of students on or above grade level, up from 30.3% in 2021.

Seventh Grade:

• ELA: 37.5% of students on or above grade level, up from 29.5% in 2021.

• Math: 22.3% of students on or above grade level, up from 20% in 2021.

Eighth Grade:

• ELA: 17.6% of students on or above grade level, down from 21.3% in 2021.

• Math: 40.1% of students on or above grade level, up from 35.8% in 2021.

• Algebra I: 67.6% of students on or above grade level, up from 65.8% in 2021.

High School:

• English I: 32.7% of students on or above grade level, up from 22.9% in 2021.

• English II: 48.8% of students on or above grade level, up from 38% in 2021.

• Algebra I/Integrated Math I: 12.7% of students on or above grade level, up from 10.8% in 2021.

• Integrated Math II: 23.9% of students on or above grade level, up from 16.5% in 2021.

• Integrated Math III: 19.2% of students on or above grade level, down from 22.8% in 2021.

Science:

• Elementary: 42.5% of students on or above grade level, up from 42.2% in 2021.

• Middle School: 35.7% of students on or above grade level, down from 39.4% in 2021.

• High School: 45.9% of students on or above grade level, down from 52.8% in 2021.

Social Studies:

• Middle School: 35.1% of students on or above grade level, down from 39.3% in 2021.

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PHOTO: 

Capshaw Reward School Photo: Front row from the left is Dr. Diana Wood, PreK-4th Instructional Supervisor; Bridgette Carwile, Chief Academic Officers and Federal Programs; Kendra Hill, Capshaw Assistant Principal; Renee Cantrell, Capshaw Principal; and Director of Putnam County Schools Corby King. Back row from the left is Jason Stickler, Data, Testing and Esser Supervisor; Deputy Director Tim Martin; and Melanie Bussell, RTI Supervisor. 

Jere Whitson Reward School: Front row from the left is Dr. Diana Wood, PreK-4th Instructional Supervisor; Tina Francis-Hodges, Jere Whitson Elementary Principal; Kathy Koughan, Jere Whitson Assistant Principal; Bridgette Carwile, Chief Academic Officers and Federal Programs; and Director of Putnam County Schools Corby King. Back row from the left is Jason Stickler, Data, Testing and Esser Supervisor; Deputy Director Tim Martin; and Melanie Bussell, RTI Supervisor.