A Review of Year Round Education Literature

By Sally Absher Hat tip to KCS parent and Focus reader Ron Raymond, who provided this very thorough review of the literature sources posted on the Knox County Schools (KCS) website in support of “balanced calendar.” It is well known that one can find a study that...

Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader?

By Sally Absher Or a third grader? Find out by taking the new online Tennessee social studies practice test! A KCS teacher  emailed us, “In case you haven’t heard, the newest social studies assessment is ready to inflict its terror on students here in Knox County as...

The Chalk Board

By Sally Absher sallyabsher@knoxfocus.com SPEAK to host two more showings of Documentary “Standardized.” Do you have questions about standardized testing and its impact on your students, our schools, teachers, and community? According to co-chairman Dave Gorman, SPEAK...

Community Schools: Part 1

By Sally Absher sallyabsher@knoxfocus.com One of Knox County’s best kept secrets is the Community Schools program. As the battle between public schools and the corporations that wish to privatize them heats up, this article provides the background and philosophy of...

The Chalk Board ~ April 13, 2015

By Sally Absher BOE Called Meeting TONIGHT to Vote on FY16 Budget. The Knox County Board of Education will hold a called meeting to discuss and vote on the fiscal year 2016 general purpose, capital improvement and school nutrition fund budgets on Monday, April 13 at 5...

Much Ado About AVID

By Sally Absher By Sally Absher sallyabsher@knoxfocus.com When Dr. McIntyre planned the Community Meeting to discuss his FY 2016 budget, he probably didn’t expect the majority of the questions and comments to revolve around his decision to end AVID (Advancement Via...