White County school system has achieved ultimate goals in TCAP scores, says director

The Tennessee Department of Education has released the 2024-2025 results for the Tennessee Comprehensive Assessment Program (TCAP). The results include state and district-level results for the fall 2024 EOC (End of Course) exams and the spring 2025 exams in English, mathematics, science, and social studies.

“As the director of schools, I could not be prouder of our teachers, staff, and students for their efforts on the state [TCAP] assessments,” Kurt Dronebarger, White County’s Director of Schools, said. “It is a goal of White County Schools to be above the state average in every tested category and to rank in the top five of every category amongst Upper Cumberland districts. I am excited to report that White County Schools have achieved both goals. Our school district has set itself apart as an academic leader, and our community can and should be proud of its public school system.”

For White County, the year has seen some steady growth in multiple categories. Using the “all students” category for every grade, the county is sitting over 10% higher than the state average. White County has 55.3% of all students at or above expectations, while the state has 43.3% of all students.

In  English and Language Arts (ELA), 20 more students reached above expectations, while the below expectations category shrunk considerably, putting ELA at 45.4% of students in expectations. Science saw the least growth from 2024, but it sits at a high 56.5% of students in range.

Math saw an increase in 50 students above expectations and sits at 55.3% of students in range. Social studies saw the biggest milestone. In 2025, there are now less than 100 students below expectation, while over 100 are above expectation. Social studies sits at a whopping 60.6% within expectation.

Van Buren County has also seen improvements in some categories but is just under the state’s average in the main four academic categories, usually only by a few percentage points.

In Social Studies, Van Buren is sitting at 43% within expectations. In math, the county is a bit higher at 48.8%. ELA and science are sitting at 35.6% and 40.5% respectively. ELA is typically the lowest category for most counties in the surrounding area.