Johnson County Schools

I. THE BACKGROUND On October 29, 1998, in compliance with TCA 49-1-608 and TCA 49-6-6001(a)(1), the State Board of Education, accepted the recommendation of the High School Testing Advisory Committee and designated ten high school courses for the development of end-of-course examinations. The Board’s recommendation was subsequently affirmed by the Select Oversight Committee on Education of the General Assembly.In the High School End-of-Course Tests Policy, the Board stipulated that beginning with students entering the 9^th grade in 2001-2002, students must successfully pass examinations in three subjects: Algebra I, Biology I, and English II. These examinations later became known as gateway examinations. The other seven areas to be tested are Math Foundations, Geometry, Algebra II, Physical Science, Chemistry, English I, and U.S. History.Beginning in 2001-2002, the Department plans to administer the gateway tests three times annually to accommodate students completing work in the fall, spring, and summer semesters. Tests will not be given other than at these scheduled times.

Results from these assessments, including the three gateway examinations, will become components in the accountability process which is used to gauge the effectiveness of school systems and schools. Use of the results of individual student performance on the exams is spelled out under Elements of the Program, section 1.d, as appended by the board on September 20, 2002.

Equal opportunity employment and Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities.

Johnson County Schools, as an Equal Opportunity Institution, complies with federal and state laws prohibiting discrimination and harassment, including Title IV and Title VII (with amendments) of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, Title IX of the Educational Amendment of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Veterans Readjustments Act of 1974 as amended 38 USC 20-12 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. It is the policy that no person, on the basis of race, sex, height, weight, color, national origin or ancestory, age, marital status, disability, or veteran status, shall be discriminated against in educational programs or activities, employment and admission.