Report Card Glossary

Academies of Nashville

Career-themed small learning communities in MNPS’s 12 zoned high schools. The Academies empower students through career exposure to make timely, informed decisions and discover their true passions while earning early college credit and nationally recognized industry certifications. General education content is taught through the lens of an academy, while more than 365 business and community partners provide authentic experiential learning opportunities at every level.

ACT

A standardized test, typically taken in 11th grade, to measure high school achievement and college readiness. The ACT is used by most colleges and universities as part of their admission decisions. Scoring a 21 or above on the ACT indicates college and career readiness and is one criterion of receiving a Tennessee Hope Scholarship. In the state of Tennessee, the ACT is required for graduation. As part of the state accountability systems, districts are required to have 95 percent student participation.

Chronic Absenteeism

Missing 10 percent or more available school days in one academic year. For MNPS, there are 180 days in the academic year.

Community Achieves

District-led wraparound service initiative operating out of the MNPS Support Services Department and based in 58 local schools. Community Achieves has four pillars of support: College and Career Readiness, Parent/Family Engagement, Health and Wellness, and Social Services.

Community School

School site where partnerships with community organizations and agencies work to provide comprehensive, wraparound services for students including academic assistance, family support, health supports and social services. MNPS has several community school models, including the in-house Community Achieves program, partnerships with Communities in Schools Tennessee, and school and community-based Family Resource Centers run by community organizations.

Economically Disadvantaged

A classification indicating a student is directly certified or receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits (or food stamps), those whose families participate in the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program, students who are on the local school district liaison’s list of homeless students, Head Start participants, migrant youth, runaways, foster children, and others who may be certified by state or local officials. The definition narrowed in 2016. Previously, this included students who were eligible for free or reduced lunch.

Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund (ESSER)

In response to COVID-19, the U.S. Congress passed several pieces of legislation that sent billions of dollars in relief funds to states. Tennessee received, in total, $4.2 billion to be spent on schools across the state in three phases. This is known as the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund, and for the third phase that was included in the American Rescue Plan, MNPS was granted $276 million.

English Language Learners (ELL)

Students who have been assessed as Limited English Proficient (LEP) and are actively receiving services through the district. This also includes students who are fewer than two years removed from exiting the ELL program and continue to be monitored.

Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA)

This bipartisan measure was signed into law on December 10, 2015. It reauthorizes the 50-year-old Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), the nation’s national education law and longstanding commitment to equal opportunity for all students. A Tennessee specific ESSA plan was approved in August 2017 and began implementation in the 2017-2018 academic year.

Family Resource Centers (FRCs)

Coordinated and holistic approach to providing resources and services to families and students. Each center is a partnership of health and social service providers, residents, schools, businesses and faith-based organizations. There are eight community-based centers, and 11 school-based sites, including five elementary schools and five high schools, that are run by community organizations.

Innovation

Often defined as introducing something new, whether an idea, method, or device. Within education, innovation provides opportunities for educators to move away from the status quo toward a different approach to support students’ individual needs.

High-Wage, In-Demand, & High-Skill

High-skill – requiring a degree or credential in addition to or beyond a high school diploma
In-demand – an occupation must have: (1) Positive growth rate in the region, (2) Positive growth rate for individual occupations, (3) Ratio of program completers to the number of annual average openings for the occupation no more than 1.5, (4) Average annual number of openings equal to or greater than the average number of openings for all regional employment.
High-wage – an occupation must have wages 20% greater than median regional wage; currently $46,515 and above for the 2022-2023 school year

Living Wage

Based on income needed for one adult and zero children. As of December 11, 2022, living wage in the Nashville Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) is $30,864 required income after taxes ($35,312 before taxes). The Massachusetts Institute of Technology Living Wage Calculator was used for the Nashville MSA.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

Data tied directly to the MNPS strategic plan and collected to measure district progress. KPIs fall under four areas: Our Students; Our People; Our Organization; Our Community.

Limited English Proficiency (LEP)

A classification for students who have limited ability to speak, read, write, and understand English. This includes those who are actively receiving English Learner interventions in school as well as those who opt out of services.

Measure of Academic Progress (MAP)

A computerized adaptive test and benchmark assessment that students grades 2-9 take three times a year for reading and math. MAP is a measure of student growth over time and helps teachers, parents, and administrators know how their student is making progress. MNPS adopted Map-Reading in Winter of 2016 and Map-Math in Fall of 2017.

Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools (MNPS)

School district servicing students and families in Nashville-Davidson County. Enrollment is approximately 82,000 students with 11,000 employees and 162 schools.

Perkins V

The Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act (Perkins V), signed into law in July 2018. Perkins V reauthorized the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006 (Perkins IV) and continued Congress’ commitment in providing nearly $1.3 billion annually for career and technical education (CTE) programs for the nation’s youth and adults.

Remote Learning

Learning that is utilized through an online platform. Students are not physically present in a traditional classroom.

Restorative Practices

Sets of processes and tools that seek to repair harm and rebuild community trust after an offense by way of holistic alternatives, like dialogue and mediation, to traditional disciplinary policies and practices. All parties affected can participate in its resolution.

School Board

Represents the public’s voice in public education. The School Board provides oversight for what the public schools need and what the community wants. In Davidson County, the School Board is an elected body.

Schoology

A platform used across all MNPS schools to support virtual learning.

Synchronous Teaching/Learning

Live online classes that are typically scheduled with an instructor similar to an in-person classroom.

Tennessee Investment in Student Achievement (TISA)

The funding formula through which state education dollars are generated and distributed to Tennessee school systems. The funds generated by TISA are what the state has defined as sufficient to provide a basic level of education for Tennessee students.

TNReady

Part of the Tennessee Comprehensive Assessment Program (TCAP) suite, TNReady is designed to assess student understanding and is aligned to college-readiness standards. Students in third through eighth grade take assessments in English language arts, math, science, and social studies. High school students take English I-III, algebra, U.S history/geography, and biology or chemistry.

Truancy

Defined by state law for students who have five unexcused absences during a school year. This does not have to be five consecutive days.

Virtual Learning

Learning and instruction that is commonly utilized through an online platform using videos and technology incorporated in their learning. Students can be physically present in a traditional classroom or be remote and at home.

Work-Based Learning

A proactive approach to bridging the gap between high school and high-demand, high-skill careers. Students build on classroom-based instruction to develop employability skills that prepare them for success in postsecondary education and future careers.

Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA)

A federal law passed in 2014 to support job seekers with access to employment, education, training and support services, and to build a skilled workforce that meets the needs of employers. Some students are eligible for WIOA funding to support their work-based learning experience.

2022 Nashville Chamber Education Report