Lincoln Elementary School has achieved level 5 status in the Tennessee Value Added Assessment System after exceeding academic growth standards for the 2022-2023 school year. 

TCAP testing scores are used to show students’ growth annually on a scale from 1 to 5. Level 1 means that there is significantly less growth than expected, and level 5 means there is significantly more growth than expected. 

Annie Atkins, principal at Lincoln Elementary School, shared that creating a positive and consistent testing environment is something that worked well for her school when it came to preparing for the tests last school year. 

“We implemented meaningful formative assessments every week and talked to the children about practicing how we are going to play,” said Atkins. “What do you have to do to get better? Practice. So our students bought in because we connected it to what they’re good at.”

These weekly assessments made a huge impact in the way that both students and teachers felt about testing once it was time to take the state tests. 

“The kids were just taking a test like normal. The anxiety wasn’t high and they were excited because they knew they were going to be rewarded,” said Atkins. “Even the small things are celebrated. We are going to continue to do the same things and move to even higher levels, because next year we want to be a reward school.”

While the achievement is important to Atkins, she expressed that the school couldn’t have done it without the support of their families and stakeholders. 

“For this upcoming 23-24 school year, we would love for more parents and stakeholders to get involved to support Lincoln, not emphasizing the negativity,” said Atkins. “We believe in our children and want them to be successful. Our goal is to make an impact on scholars in their journey for academic excellence at Lincoln Elementary.”

Data results for the rest of the Jackson-Madison County School system will be released soon. An official announcement by the TN Department of Education is expected in September.