The Tennessean -

Since Tennessee’s First to the Top legislation passed two years ago, public schools have undergone rapid transformation, and there are no signs that changes will taper off in 2012.

This spring, Tennessee students and teachers will have more at stake than ever come annual test time.

That’s because students’ test scores on statewide tests known as TCAP will count as a portion of their grades and also will factor into their teachers’ performance evaluations under a new system that started this school year.

Schools also could be measured for the first time on students’ learning gains rather than a one-size target that students nationwide must meet — a change that Tennessee officials want and think is fairer.

Te Tennessee Comprehensive Assessment Program exams that students take this spring will count up to 25 percent of their second semester cumulative grade. Another change for students is that starting in 2012-13, third-graders won't be promoted if they test below basic levels in reading on TCAP exams. Lawmakers are considering a bill this coming session to require eighth-graders to test basic or better on their state exams in order to move on to high school.

The scores will also for the first time affect teachers under the state’s new teacher evaluation system, called Tennessee Educator Acceleration Model.

The evaluations got off to a rocky start this school year, drawing a steady stream of teacher complaints. Teachers say the requirement that principals spend a certain amount of time observing them in the classroom takes too much time, is too subjective and varies from district to district.

Another complaint is that about 55 percent of Tennessee’s teachers don’t have students who take year-end exams, so part of their evaluations draws upon a schoolwide test score, which they say is unfair. This affects teachers in early grades and those who teach foreign language, career technical, health and fine arts.

Gov. Bill Haslam asked that the evaluation system be studied with a report in June. Lawmakers are expected to propose changes to it, and Department of Education Commissioner Kevin Huffman has said the department also will likely refine some of its processes this summer.

The state also is asking the federal government for a waiver from the federal No Child Left Behind law, which imposes sanctions if schools don’t meet standards. Tennessee proposes that schools be given six years to close achievement gaps among white students and low-income and minorities by half.

School districts also would set annual gap-reduction goals, and those meeting them would be placed on an “exemplary” list. Those that didn’t might have to allow their students to transfer or face other sanctions.

The bottom 5 percent of achieving schools could be taken over by the state’s Achievement School District.