The Greeneville City School System again this year received all A's in the academic achievement portion of the Report Card released Tuesday by the Tennessee Department of Education.

However, the city school system's "Value-Added" scores dropped this year because of changes in the baseline and grade scale used by the state.

Greeneville's academic achievement grades of A's in all four subject areas compare to the state grades of B's in all four subject areas, according to the report card. The city's schools also received all A's in academic achievement on last year's report card

But Greeneville's Value-Added scores, which measure academic growth over a three-year period, a a D in mathematics, a D in reading-language, a D in science, and an F in social studies.

The grades on the Report Card are based on results of standardized achievement tests.

The new value-added scores cannot be compared to last year's scores, educators said. Director of Schools Dr. Lyle Ailshie called them "meaningless."

Ailshie and Dr. Vicki Kirk, assistant director of schools, explained Tuesday that the changes this year are related to a recent improvement in achievement scores across the state.

Teachers have been teaching to state standards, and student scores have improved, Kirk said.

This year, the state converted these scores to reflect the state average of 50, which resulted in all scores across the state converting down between 5 and 10 points. This is an attempt to make this criterion-referenced test fit into a norm-referenced mold for value-added purposes, Kirk said.

For example, the conversion caused Greeneville's reading-language arts score in value-added to drop by 2.37 points. That much of a drop can change an A grade to an F grade, Kirk said.

Ailshie and Kirk also explained that when a school system has high achievement scores, one slight decrease in student test scores can cause value-added scores to decrease at a drastic rate.

They both stressed how proud they are of the hard work of Greeneville's teachers.

Kirk said her main concern is that the poor value-added grades will have a negative effect on teacher morale, and Ailshie agreed.

"It hurts me, and it will hurt and offend them, and its just not fair," Ailshie said.

"I'm so proud of our staff," he said.

Kirk said the teachers have worked hard to learn new standards and have been excited about new technology in their classrooms.

Ailshie said the state is required by law to publish the results of the Report Card.

Otherwise, he believes this is one year the state might have considered not publishing them because of the changes, he said.

Ailshie shared a letter written to parents from Tennessee Education Commissioner Dr. Timothy K. Webb.

The letter states, "The scores on this year's Report Card cannot be used as a valid basis of comparison to scores from any previous year. The best way to measure the progress of your child's school is to compare that score to the state average for 2008-09.

The letter also states, "These changes will, in some cases, dramatically affect the individual grades for schools and districts. It is crucial to remember that changes in grades do not reflect a loss of learning for your child.

"The changes to these calculations were required with implementation of the Tennessee Diploma Project to increase the rigor of learning in the classroom and measure the new assessments your child will take next spring.

"The Tennessee Diploma Project is designed to better prepare students for college and the workforce."

Kirk also has prepared a letter to parents which likely will be mailed today.

Her letter states, "While scores look different because of changes made by the state in reporting, Greeneville's performance remains at a high level. Students demonstrated very high levels of proficiency to TCAP [Tennessee Comprehensive Assessment Program] and end-of-course tests, and ACT scores continue to be excellent."

The letter also says, "It is also important to note that achievement is the number one measure of the school or system's success; value-added is a secondary measure, one that is generally used to show improvement if achievement is not up to par."

Kirk focused on Greeneville's positive results in the Report Card.

In mathematics for grades 3-8, she said, 57 percent of students scored advanced, and 95 percent scored proficient or advanced.

In reading/language plus writing for grades 3-8, she said, 54 percent of students scored advanced, and 96 percent scored proficient or advanced.

In mathematics for high school, the algebra I Gateway exam, 77 percent of students scored advanced, and 96 scored proficient or advanced, she said.

In reading/language plus writing for high school, the English II Gateway and 11th grade writing, 73 percent of students scored advanced, and 96 scored proficient or advanced, she said.

The city school system's graduation rate was 96.9 percent, she said.

The attendance rate was 96 percent, and the promotion rate was 99 percent, according to the Report Card.

There is an upward trend in writing scores over the last three years, with scores for grades 5, 8 and 11, respectively, she said.

Kirk said ACT scores remain well above the state, with a composite of 22.8 in 2009, the highest in the last three years.

Asked if the Report Card results show any areas where improvement is needed, Kirk said elementary mathematics will be a priority.

The Report Card shows that Greeneville and each of its schools achieved Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) and is in good standing for federal "No Child Left Behind" benchmarks.

A system profile in the Report Card shows that Greeneville's public school system has seven schools, 2,655 students, 203 teachers and 12 administrators.

Enrollment includes 2,452 Caucasian students, 249 African-American students, 126 Hispanic students, 36 students who are Asian/Pacific islander and six who are Native American/Alaskan.

Seventy-six students are cosidered "limited English proficient."

Greeneville city Students with disabilities total 521, while 1,105 students qualify as economically disadvantaged.

To view the full Report Card, go to www.state.tn.us/education/reportcard/.