Implement Innovative Solutions that Yield Sustained
students living in poverty and a growing percentage
Academic Growth for Historically Underserved
of students of color, Tennessee must focus its efforts
Populations. SCORE should convene leading
on improving education outcomes for students
education partners across regions of the state
who have been historically disadvantaged by the
to develop a statewide strategy that will improve
education system. This year, SCORE should convene
academic outcomes and college readiness for
regional sessions for education partners from across
students of color and students living in poverty. As
the state to collaborate and spark innovation on
Tennessee continues its Drive to 55 initiative, efforts
solutions that will yield sustained academic growth
to improve academic outcomes across the state
for students of color and students living in poverty.
must yield equitable improvements for all students.
These solutions should focus not only on in-school
As the state’s education system serves a majority of
factors, but also on out-of-school factors.
Services that Get Students Ready to Learn in
Dyersburg City Schools and Johnson City Schools
Increasing achievement for students of color and students living in
poverty requires both excellent teaching and careful attention to other
factors that might be preventing a student from reaching their maximum
potential. Sometimes, this is as simple as a policy change that encourages providing
all students access to more challenging course work. Often, students also need access to mental
health, health care, and other services. Two SCORE Prize district finalists are working to address these needs.
Dyersburg City Schools addresses issues of inequity in advanced course-taking patterns by starting in the early
grades and providing multiple paths throughout a student’s career. All second-grade students in Dyersburg City
are screened for gifted programs, thus removing barriers associated with an application process. If students
do not directly test into gifted, they are offered opportunities at every interim assessment to test into a
particular gifted course in the Dyersburg “Plus One” program. If students score at a high level on math, they can
participate in math enrichment, and the same for other subjects. These types of strategies work to remove as
many barriers as possible for students to be challenged to a higher level.
Johnson City Schools provides an extensive mental health program in schools to address needs that students
might have and to ease the caseload of school counselors and teachers. Through the HEROES program, Johnson
City provides each school with a social worker and case manager who offer mental health screenings and services
at the school rather than requiring students and parents to be referred to services outside of the school. Teachers
cite the program as a service that both frees up class time and helps to get students ready to learn.
In Dyersburg City, an innovative program working to train emotional support dogs both at their alternative
school and neighborhood schools provides an outlet for students and teachers who need some extra care.
Students with emotional needs spend time both training the dogs and receiving love and support. Neel Durbin,
superintendent of Dyersburg City Schools, says that teachers request time with the support animals for their
students and for themselves. The extra emotional support allows teachers and students alike to be more
prepared for learning in the classroom.
51