Tennessee Virtual Academy Shows Academic Gains in Second Year

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Aug 19, 2013, 09:51 ET

MAYNARDVILLE, Tenn., Aug. 19, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Union County Public Schools announced today that its online public school, Tennessee Virtual Academy (TNVA), showed academic growth improvements in the school's second year based on data from the Tennessee Value-Added Assessment System (TVAAS). TNVA is an online public school program offered by Union County Public Schools that serves students across the state in kindergarten through eighth grade.

TNVA demonstrated improvements in the following areas:

TNVA students in the lowest three quintiles showed the most significant growth across all tested areas.
TNVA students in grades 4-8 demonstrated growth improvements in 18 of 20 categories that included math, reading, language arts, and social studies.
TNVA students in grades 3-8 demonstrated improvements in achievement in 9 of 24 categories that included math, reading, language arts, and social studies.
TNVA made Annual Measurable Objectives in 3^rd and 7^th grade Math and in gap closures for students with disabilities.
Significant improvements were seen in math growth and achievement.
Overall, improvements were most significant and consistent in middle school grades.
Students with disabilities met the annual measured gains for 2013
- 4.4% gain from previous year math
- 5.5% gain from previous year reading

"We are pleased to show academic gains from our first to second year, especially for at-risk students," said TNVA Head of School, Josh Williams. "Many students that transfer to TNVA are categorized as academically at-risk after struggling in traditional schools, and so we are pleased that our data shows some of the greatest gains were with students in lowest three quintiles. These improvements are a testament to the hard work and dedication of our teachers and staff, and our focus on the individual needs of every student."

TNVA follows all state accountability standards and requirements, including participation in the state assessment tests. TNVA uses state-certified teachers in Tennessee who provide instruction, guidance, remediation and support. The school offers flexible and personalized learning programs adaptable for all types of students, including children with special needs or other challenging circumstances who struggled in traditional brick-and-mortar schools.

"We are proud of the gains that TNVA has made in 2012-13 school year," said Jimmy Carter, Superintendent of Union County Schools. "We are confident TNVA is moving in the right direction. We are committed to continuing these academic gains and elevating our online public school's ranking. Our teachers, school leaders, and district administrators are dedicated to continuously improving and serving the needs of all families that choose TNVA."

SOURCE Tennessee Virtual Academy