at home and receive individualized homework
and assignment support at school. Students also
have access to digital textbooks, audio and video
streaming from Discovery Education, podcasts,
and the Tennessee Electronic Library. They learn
how to use digital tools and resources such as the
Microsoft Office Suite, Museum Box, and Prezi.
This project is funded through a grant from the
Alcoa Howmet Foundation. Results for Hamblen
County show that, on average, students increase
their ACT scores by one to two points using this
program. Many students have raised their scores
by as many as nine points.
• To personalize learning, the district has implemented an advising program that involves all
of the approximately 2,800 high school students. Students meet with their teacher advisors
throughout their four years of high school for 30
minutes twice a week. During this time, advisors
review grade specific information and help students develop a sense of belonging in the school.
This system has enabled every student to have
at least one adult that they feel knows them well
and can be contacted with any concern.
• Hamblen also sponsors a middle school initiative to encourage students and their families to
become familiar with graduation and college
acceptance requirements. Middle school students and their parents are brought to the high
school, presented with lists of required courses
and sequences, and provided with information
about the ACT scores needed for admission at
local colleges and universities.
• All classrooms are equipped with both wired and
wireless internet access, at least one computer,
interactive white boards, and document projectors. Students are encouraged to use Gaggle,
Bridgit, Facetime, and/or Skype to interact with
students throughout the district to create, collaborate, and share quality work. They are also encouraged to use various programs for blogging.
Many educators are experimenting with “flipped”
educational strategies where students receive
direct instruction through programs they view
• The Parent Portal also ensures that parents are
notified and have access to information about
their children’s progress, along with information
about scheduling changes, homework assignments, and other pertinent events.
Hamblen County’s two high schools have also implemented customized approaches to ensure that
their students are ready for their lives after graduation. Morristown East High School and Morristown
West High Sch