Tagged: The Next Louisville

While Jefferson County Public Schools’ ACT test scores have traditionally been lower than state and national averages, it ranks among the middle of its metropolitan peers.

Comparing local schools to schools across the nation can be difficult. Not all states use the same tests or metrics and even graduation rates could be calculated differently, although the U.S. Department of Education is changing that practice so all states follow each student until he or she graduates.

Jefferson County Public Schools is among the top 30 largest school districts in the nation. Its $1 billion budget is the largest in the state but its test scores are often some of the lowest in Kentucky.

JCPS is not the only large school district struggling. Many large metropolitan districts perform lower on standardized tests when compared to their state averages and graduation rates mirror that same trend.

The Jefferson County Teachers Association says it wants more freedom to create its own teacher and principal evaluations, which are expected to be in place by the 2014-2015 school year. 

Leaderships audits conducted for seven of Jefferson County Public Schools' 18 lowest-performing schools were presented to the district Wednesday and the results show principals in those schools have the capacity to continue leading their turnaround efforts.

The Kentucky Department of Education's leadership audits are performed every two years for the state's 41 "priority" schools, which are schools that have persistently performed at the lowest level statewide.