In order for the state to successfully transition to technology-based assessments, Tennessee foundations, business
partners, and Centers of Regional Excellence (CORE) should
support district leaders in their efforts to upgrade technological infrastructure and access in their schools. Additionally,
districts must prioritize schools’ efforts to provide students
with early instruction on technology and keyboarding skills to
prepare them for technology-based assessments, and success in college and career.
While summative assessments provide important feedback to
teachers and students about growth and progress achieved at
the end of the school year, formative assessments provide this
information to teachers throughout the year. For this reason, it
is important for CORE offices to provide district and school leaders with support in their selection of formative assessments
to ensure they are aligned to Tennessee’s State Standards and
provide educators with the information they need to improve
student learning.
Ensure the continued and improved implementation of Tennessee’s
State Standards for English Language Arts and Mathematics.
Tennessee’s State Standards are now implemented across
all grades statewide. It is important to ensure that the
current public review process of the standards is focused on
continuous improvement and results in higher standards
for Tennessee students, not lower standards. Additionally,
policymakers should refrain from passing legislation
changing the state’s standards while this process is ongoing.
To ensure the standards reach all students, continued support for teachers and school leaders is critical as they work to
integrate the new standards into their daily practice. Professional learning opportunities should be offered to additional
teachers and school leaders around the state, providing more
educators with the resources they need to successfully transition to new standards. It is also important to continue to engage parents and community members on the standards, informing the larger public on what the standards are and why
they are important to Tennessee students’ academic growth.
As educators continue to implement Tennessee’s State Standards, school districts have an important role to play in providing educators with support and guidance in the selection )