Research demonstrates that teachers have a greater impact on students’ academic growth than any other in-school
factor.22 For this reason, shifts in policy and practice related to teaching quality have the potential to minimize
achievement gaps and yield large and sustainable improvements in student achievement levels.
Teacher Preparation
The first step in expanding student access to effective
teaching is improving the quality of teacher preparation
programs. Currently, just three teacher preparation
programs graduate better-than-average teachers as
determined by classroom observation scores.23 In 2014,
the SBE passed a revised educator preparation policy that
raised standards for teacher preparation programs and
created a more rigorous program approval process.
Key facts about teacher preparation:
• There are 40 teacher preparation programs in
Tennessee.24
• Tennessee education preparation programs are
accredited through the Council for the Accreditation
of Educator Preparation (CAEP) or through a statemanaged review process.
• Standards in preparation programs establish
a common set of expectations for educator
preparation programs. These standards aim to ensure
that programs provide teacher candidates with the
content knowledge and pedagogical skills they need
to succeed once they enter the classroom.
• Program approval processes are the legal means
by which the SBE authorizes preparation programs
to recommend the state grant teachers a teaching
license.
Topic Timeline:
These are key events in teacher preparation in Tennessee:
• 2007: The Tennessee General Assembly passed
legislation requiring educator preparation programs
(EPPs) to report and make publicly available their
retention data, Praxis assessment scores, and
candidates’ TVAAS data.
• 2012: Tennessee permitted candidates to take edTPA,
a performance assessment, in lieu of the Praxis
Principles of Learning and Teaching for licensure.
• 2013: The Council for Accreditation in Educator
Preparation (CAEP) became the sole accrediting body
for educator preparation programs.
• 2014: The SBE passed a revised policy for educator
preparation programs to align with the new CAEP
accreditation standards.
• 2015: The SBE took over production of the Teacher
Preparation Pro