Eric Ellison

The Cocke County Schools TISA Accountability Plan for 2025-2026 aims to significantly improve student academic outcomes. Its primary goals are to achieve 70% 3rd-grade ELA proficiency by 2030 and to increase college and career readiness, targeting an average ACT composite score of 21 or higher. Key strategic pillars include enhancing instructional quality through robust teacher support, intellectual preparation, student work analysis, and adherence to Tennessee ELA standards, complemented by targeted interventions, tutoring, and reduced class sizes. The plan also focuses on comprehensive ACT preparation, student incentives, and specialized resources to foster college and career readiness.

The ESSER 3.0 Public Plan-Federal Relief Spending Addendum outlines Cocke County School System's strategy for utilizing federal relief funds to safely reopen schools, sustain safe operations, and address the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on students. It details budget allocations across academics, student readiness, educators, and foundations, focusing on accelerating academic achievement through tutoring and interventions, supporting student readiness with counseling and mental health services, retaining educators, and strengthening structural expectations with technology and facility improvements. The plan emphasizes community engagement, monitoring, auditing, and reporting to ensure appropriate application of funds and transparency with stakeholders.

The Cocke County School Board meeting honored three Teachers of the Year: Caroline Marra (PreK-4), Mark Tocholke (5-8), and Randy West (9-12). District-wide updates included Cocke County's designation as an Advancing District by the Tennessee Department of Education, reflecting improvements in graduation rates, student achievement, and chronic absenteeism. Six out of ten schools received A or B letter grades, and Grassy Fork Elementary and Smoky Mountain Elementary were recognized as Reward Schools.

The Cocke County Schools 2020-2025 Five-Year Plan focuses on improving student well-being, academics, educator support, and facilities. Key initiatives include expanding access to mental and physical health services, creating a safer school climate, increasing stakeholder involvement, providing technology and professional development for educators, enhancing career and technical education, offering early academic opportunities, implementing academic interventions, and improving school facilities. The plan aims to prepare students to become productive and responsible citizens and to make Cocke County Schools a leader in educational excellence.