Cumberland County improved its high school graduation rate more than 7 percentage points for the 2009 state report card, released Tuesday.

Administrators had warned there had been numerous changes to how scores were calculated and the grading scale used in the annual report, but despite those changes, the school system kept pace with the state in academic achievement and value-added scores. The graduation rate rose from 80.6 percent on the 2008 report card to 88.2 percent on the 2009 report.

"We knew the bar was being raised this year," said Director of Schools Aarona VanWinkle. "It's similar to having attended a school where a grade of 90 to 100 was considered an A and then going to a school where a 97 to 100 is an A.

"We knew we would see our As drop in achievement and value-added scores."

The Tennessee Department of Education implemented a change in the way it calculated both achievement scores and value-added scores with the 2009 assessments, completed in the spring. Previously, the baseline score was calculated using scores from 1998. That baseline was reset this year using 2009 test scores.

The state department also changed the grading scale that determines the grade a system receives, meaning scores that would have previously earned a system a grade of A may now reflect a grade of B or C.

According to a release from the state department, these changes make comparison of the 2009 scores to previous years impossible and invalid.

"They are telling us not to compare with past years, but to look at our scores in comparison to the rest of the state," VanWinkle said.

Across the state, students in the third through the eighth grade scored 50 in each subject area. In Cumberland County, students in those grades scored 52 in math, 51 in reading and language, 50 in social studies and 52 in science.

"All in all, I'm proud of our teachers and students," VanWinkle said. "They worked hard and there was no decline in our actual scores. The success of our schools lies on the shoulders of our teachers and support staff. We've got some wonderful teachers and administrators. We also have some pretty good kids and parents."

As teachers and students prepare for the 2010 testing, they will be preparing for a more rigorous assessment. A new curriculum and new graduation requirements have also been implemented.

"We know the expectations now and where the bar has been set," VanWinkle said. "I've said many times the bar is set too low at the state level, but they are increasing it."

One significant improvement on the report card was the system's graduation rate. In 2008, the system had a graduation rate of 80.6 percent, below the state goal of 90 percent. This year, the system reported a graduation rate of 88.2 percent. Cumberland County High School, which had recorded a 74.3 graduation rate on the 2008 report card, improved to 87.8 percent.

"It's awesome what they are doing at the high schools," VanWinkle said. "And the Phoenix School has made a world of difference."

CCHS, which has been targeted due to its graduation rate in previous years, has implemented a school improvement plan to identify at-risk students and help them earn the credits required for graduation as well as activities and programs to keep students engaged in learning and the school environment. The Phoenix School assists students who need credit recovery to graduate on time, as well.

"We are going to make a difference and prepare our students for the world," VanWinkle said. "And that means not only preparing our at-risk students, but also offering programs for our students that will be attending post-secondary schools. It's amazing how many of our students are able to graduate high school having completed their freshman year of college thanks to advanced placement and dual enrollment classes."

VanWinkle was also pleased with gains made in the achievement gap between all students and students with disabilities.

"We are making progress and closing that gap," she said. "We are making opportunities available for all our students."

To view the 2009 Cumberland County Schools report card, see www.tennessee.gov/education/reportcard/. You may view data for the entire state, Cumberland County and individual schools.