SEVIERVILLE (AP) - Tennessee education officials on Monday announced 21 school districts have significantly improved student performance. Seven of the districts are in the 6 News viewing area.
At an event in Sevierville Monday, Education Commissioner Kevin Huffman announced which districts earned exemplary designations for the 2011-12 academic year.
The top county systems include: Blount, Claiborne, Fayette, Henry, Loudon, Marshall, Rutherford, Sequatchie, Sevier, Smith and Trousdale.
Also earning the designation were city or special school districts in: Fayetteville, Hollow Rock-Bruceton, Franklin, McKenzie, Milan, Newport, Rogersville, South Carroll, Sweetwater and Union City.
Huffman said it is incredibly hard to grow results while closing achievement gaps and it was important to highlight school systems that excelled in both areas.
The districts raised T-CAP scores, progressed in closing gaps between groups of students and ensured improvements for minorities, including disabled and disadvantaged students.
Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.