2015-16 State of Education in Tennessee | Page 9

outcomes for students of color and students living in poverty. These policies and programs should narrow and eventually eliminate persistent achievement gaps in Tennessee. • Empower Tennessee’s Teachers. Cultivate a culture of teaching in Tennessee that attracts high-quality candidates to the profession and supports the continual growth of Tennessee’s current teachers. • Invest in Tennessee’s School and District Leaders. Build and expand the leadership pipeline in Tennessee, providing school and district leaders the preparation and support they need to effectively meet the needs of their students and teachers. • Cultivate Community and Business Partnerships in Education. Local communities and businesses should deepen Achieving the priorities outlined in this report requires setting, committing to, and providing students and teachers the support they need to meet and exceed high expectations. The efforts underway across the state aimed at keeping Tennessee on its path toward improving student achievement require a shared sense of urgency to implement innovations we know empower students to succeed. Tennessee has made significant progress over the past five years. The test of that progress will come in our commitment to continue leading for the future of all of our state’s students. Through collaborative efforts toward common goals, we can accelerate improved student achievement in Tennessee. their investment in Tennessee education, providing districts and schools with additional resources and support that will accelerate improved student learning across the state. 8