Knox County Magnet Schools Evaluation
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Final Summative Evaluation Report

Findings and Conclusions

Findings and conclusions of the study are presented by research question:
Research Question 1.  To what extent has the magnet program met its objective(s) under OCR?

The initial objective of the magnet school program, developed in 1993, was to satisfy OCR requirements for desegregating the curriculum of Knox County Schools.  The plan was offered by Knox County Schools as a means of addressing a local complaint and decision rendered by OCR.  Administrators report that the school system has strictly adhered to the plan proposed and accepted since that time. (Although repeatedly requested, the OCR agreement and recent reports were not provided to the evaluation team.)

Clearly, the objective of the magnet school initiative was to address the OCR mandate.  At the time, improvement of student achievement was not a primary objective of the school system or the OCR decision.  As concern for student achievement has grown across the nation and in Tennessee, the Knox County Schools have introduced Project Grad into its low-performing (priority) schools to address achievement needs.  All five schools in which magnet programs are housed are also Project Grad schools.  Several interviewees (educators, Board members, Project Grad Director) have indicated that the magnet programs addressed Federal requirements, while Project Grad has been introduced to increase achievement school-wide.

• The Knox County magnet school program has met its objectives under OCR.  Additional needs are being addressed through other initiatives, e.g., Project Grad.

• The scope of this study did not include evaluation of the success of Project Grad.  However, the evaluation team wishes to note that it is too early to determine the success of that project, although there are recent indicators that this initiative is having positive impact.