State of Education in Tennessee Executive Summary – 2011-12 | Page 21

SECTION 2: S CORE Card

programs focusing on the state’s evaluation system for
teachers and administrators. Using the Field Service
Centers to support individual districts in implementing
reforms is important, and an emphasis must be placed on
ensuring that the centers meaningfully execute this work.

resist significant additional policy changes that do not
further the state’s reform goals. Placing the burdens of
implementing too many additional policy changes on
educators and schools could lead to reform fatigue and
jeopardize success in meeting the state’s goals.

As part of the Department’s commitment to improving
the state’s lowest performing schools under its First
to the Top plan, Commissioner Huffman appointed
Houston charter school leader Chris Barbic as the first
superintendent of the Achievement School District.
Additional leadership appointments included Dr.
Kathleen Airhart, former superintendent of Putnam
County Schools, as Deputy Commissioner and
Meghan Curran as Director of the Department’s First
to the Top office. The strategic planning and

Policymakers will likely face the challenge of maintaining
commitment to Tennessee’s ambitious reform efforts.
Major reform efforts often lead to discomfort, as new
approaches replace old standards. However, as reforms
move into the implementation phase, SCORE encourages
policymakers to maintain their commitment to First to
the Top, recognizing challenges will inevitably arise as
the state transforms its public education system into the
fastest improving in the nation.

appointment of high quality, highly qualified
leaders within the Department reflect SCORE’s
recommendation to enhance capacity at the
state level.
Continued focus on the need for increased capacity at the
district level is needed from the Department to ensure the
effective implementation of statewide goals. As districts
implement Common Core standards, the Department
must work with districts to train and support leaders
who are committed to enhanced rigor in classrooms and
improved learning outcomes for Tennessee’s students.
These leaders will be positioned to communicate the
expectations of Common Core and identify the areas
in which educators need support to fulfill them. The
Department is now better positioned to support districts
as they build capacity to ensure sustained progress after
the expiration of Race to the Top funds.

Priorities for 2012
Sustained Policy Leadership
In recent years, sustaining policy leadership meant
making needed policy changes to improve public
education. Following the recent adoption of so many
policy changes, sustaining leadership in 2012 means
focusing on the critical task of implementation — of
turning policy into real student achievement gains.
Policymakers now must “keep their eye on the ball” and

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THE STATE OF EDUCATION IN TENNESSEE 2011–12

In particular, the state will need to exhibit continued
commitment to implementation of educator evaluations
and high academic standards. The state’s new evaluation
system seeks to use frequent classroom observations
and