KCS scores above state average

Knox County Schools has scored above the state average in academic achievement, according to the Tennessee Department of Education's 2016 Report Card released Tuesday morning.

Knox County scored seven percent above the state average and above other large Tennessee districts, according to a news release from Knox County Schools.

“Tennessee is the fastest-improving state in the nation academically, and Knox County Schools scored above the state average in nearly everything,” Interim Superintendent Buzz Thomas said in a statement. “That’s good news."

The state's annual report card measures each district and school on math, reading, science and social studies. For this year's assessment, the state used a four-level performance reporting format: "mastered," "on track," "approaching" and "below."

Thomas said he is "especially proud" of how the district is doing in math.

“Algebra 1 and Geometry are gateway classes that prepare students for success in life as well as college and career. They teach kids how to think," he said. "And I am especially pleased that two of our highest needs high schools – Austin-East and Fulton – had among the highest possible academic growth scores.”

Knox County Schools saw a big improvements in math, with 79 percent of high school students scoring on track or mastered - a 28 percent increase over the 2014-2015 school year. The district saw a 4 percent gain in English over the 2014-2015 school year, with 75 percent of high school students scoring on track or mastered.