• Members confirmed by General Assembly
• Five-year terms with the exception of a one-year student member term
• Director of THEC serves as ex-officio
• Executive Director reports to board and leads staff
Primary responsibilities :
• Promulgate rules for districts and schools after passage of statutes from the General Assembly
• Approve teacher and principal preparation programs
• Monitor student data and performance on national assessments , high school graduation rates , collegegoing rates , and student success in college
• Approve cut scores for TNReady examinations
• Approve school system allocations generated through the Basic Education Program ( BEP ) formula
• Set specific goals for technology , education and professional growth , school leadership , and school health and safety
• Develop and approve new academic standards
The board ’ s vision is to prepare all Tennessee children for successful postsecondary education , careers , and citizenship . The board ’ s master plan includes specific policy priorities that contribute to the ultimate goal of equal access to high-quality education for all students . To achieve its vision , the board focuses on the following priorities :
• High-Quality School Options - Insisting that all students have access to high-quality schools regardless of Zip code , prior achievement , or demographics
• Great Teachers and Leaders - Working to ensure all students have access to great teachers led by great leaders
• High Standards and Quality Measures - Ensuring that Tennessee instructional standards are among the very best in the world , and reviewed regularly , with an eye towards continuous improvement
• Public Engagement and Oversight - Committing to good governance , effective oversight , and engagement with the citizens of Tennessee
SBE adopts policies and standards , and TDOE is responsible for the implementation of those policies and standards . Through regular meetings with SBE , TDOE officials also inform the board of recent developments and bring policy decisions to SBE for resolution .
Local Education Agencies ( LEAs )
Local education agencies , or school districts , represent the level of governance closest to schools . LEAs implement the policies mandated by federal and state authorities in a manner tailored to each community ’ s distinct needs .
Primary responsibilities :
• Elected school boards appoint superintendents / directors to serve as chief administrative officers for the district .
• School boards make policy decisions for the district and adopt budgets , while superintendents are charged with implementing the board ’ s decisions .
• Directors of schools make personnel decisions , oversee district budgets , and manage the daily operations of the district ’ s schools .
United |
States |
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The mission of the U . S . Department of Education is to foster educational excellence while prohibiting discrimination and ensuring equal access to education .
Primary responsibilities :
• Implement the current authorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act . This federal law , among its provisions , allocates federal funds known as Title I for schools and districts with high proportions of lowincome students
• Oversee state compliance with federal law and the provision of services for students with disabilities in accordance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act ( IDEA )
• Promote innovation in states through competitive grant processes
• Establish policy on federal financial aid for education , as well as the distribution and monitoring of those funds
The Institute of Education Sciences ( IES ) serves as the research branch of the USDOE , publishing regular reports on the condition of American education . IES-funded studies also produce analyses of best practices in the field for educators , researchers , and policymakers .
In December 2015 , the Every Student Succeeds Act ( ESSA ) was signed into law , overhauling the Elementary and Secondary Education Act and returning significant authority to states and localities . TDOE is responsible for creating Tennessee ’ s plan to implement ESSA and has engaged stakeholders from around the state to inform this plan . The plan is expected to be implemented in the 2017- 18 school year .
A GUIDE FOR POLICYMAKERS / 2016-17 | 10