TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (WBRC) – A west Alabama school district is reporting academic growth in math and English Language Arts, with school leaders saying the trend started six years ago.
Tuscaloosa City Schools officials said there is no “secret” formula. They said they re-examined their teaching practices based on data, particularly in science and reading.
The Alberta School of Performing Arts, which has around 600 students in grades pre-K through eighth grade, has shown improvements in math and English.
Albert School of Performing Arts Principal Chenale Taylor-Maye said the biggest gains in the last three years have come in English Language Arts (ELA), which covers literacy skills such as communication and reading.
The Alberta School of Performing Arts (TASPA) offers K-8 students a curriculum that places the visual and performing arts at the center of student learning, according to their website.(WBRC)
“We’ve made roughly 9% gains this year, but over the last three years, and I’ll say from 2021 up until now, we’ve went from 24% to 54% with students being proficient in ELA,” said Taylor-Maye.
Tuscaloosa City Schools Superintendent Dr. Mike Daria said the district is “tracking above the state.”
Daria said the school district decided to become “intentional” and determined to improve math and ELA scores six years ago. Middle school students have also made gains, with ELA reading proficiency going from 42% to 53%.
“These scores you’re seeing reflect a strong, upward trajectory for all schools for the last 6 years and in both subjects. A lot of the investments you’re seeing in our budget is supporting our teachers with math instruction, math content, reading instruction and reading content,” said Daria.
The Tuscaloosa City Schools provides instruction to more than 11,000 Pre-K through 12th grade students throughout metropolitan Tuscaloosa, Alabama, according to their website.(WBRC)
Daria and Taylor-Maye also credited Reading Allies, a local literacy volunteer group that helps below grade-level students improve their reading and reading comprehension.
“They’re coming here each week supporting our students and making sure they’re providing them with one-on-one support,” said Taylor-Maye.
Taylor-Maye said consistency remains the focus going forward.
“Nothing doesn’t stop the consistency of what we have in place that’s working,” said Taylor-Maye.
District officials said Tuscaloosa City Schools has the highest math proficiency rate among public school districts in the state.
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