In accordance with Tennessee's new accountability system, designed through the state's waiver from No Child Left Behind, the Tennessee Department of Education on Monday released a list of "Priority Schools" and "Focus Schools" to the State Board of Education and the public.

Five Monroe County Schools made the list of "Focus Schools" the state wants to help make more gains for subgroups of students.

The five schools are: Coker Creek Elementary, Rural Vale Elementary School, Sweetwater High School, Tellico Plains Elementary and Tellico Junior High School.

"It does not mean we are not making gains," Monroe County Director of Schools Mike Lowry stressed.

See full story in the Wednesday, August 15, edition of The Advocate & Democrat.