Hamblen
County
SCHOOLS
2012 SCORE Prize School District Winner
AT A GLANCE
• Hamblen County Schools sets high expectations for all educators
and students and does not let any excuses – financial, demographic, or otherwise – stand in the way of preparing students for
success after high school.
• The district has taken proactive steps to prepare teachers to teach
the Common Core State Standards by building district capacity and
infrastructures for professional development and support.
• The county stresses the need for rigor in all classroom instruction.
Staff have analyzed the level of complexity in the Common Core
State Standards and ensured that teachers and administrators are
familiar with the cognitive demand embedded in the standards.
Instructional coaches support teacher practice through direct
feedback and facilitation of professional learning communities.
• Hamblen County Schools has embraced the goal of helping
all students become college and career ready and has formed
partnerships with other districts and higher education institutions
to expand opportunities for students to engage in dual enrollment
and advanced placement courses. All high school students are
in advisement programs and middle school students are encouraged to plan their pathway to college and career.
• The district has put multiple initiatives in place to increase graduation rates, including freshman academies and skills for success
courses, graduation coaches, and multiple avenues for credit
recovery. Middle school students also participate in multiple programs to ensure they are on track for high school graduation.
• Instructional leaders are well-supported through coaching, mentoring, and the provision of specific research and book studies to
enhance their knowledge and skills.
• Teachers are provided with an array of instructional tools and
professional development opportunities to ensure that they have
the support and knowledge they need to be effective.
Video: “Hamblen County
Schools” (3:27)
http:/
/www.youtube.com/
watch?v=emQMvHqBZW4
9
Pathways to the Prize
Lessons from the 2012 SCORE Prize District Winner