Letter from Senator Bill Frist and Jamie Woodson
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Letter from
Senator Bill
Frist and Jamie
Woodson
January 27, 2014
In 2013, Tennessee’s work to prepare students for success after high school was
put to the test. This test was reflected in a series of questions that we have asked
ourselves: Why should we raise the bar academically for students? How do we
balance a sense of urgency for our state’s and our students’ futures with the hard
work that is necessary to successfully implement policy? What barriers remain in
place as we work to prepare our students for success in the global economy?
When SCORE was launched in 2009, we identified a “once-in-a-lifetime
opportunity” for unprecedented growth in student achievement in Tennessee. Over
the last several years, the efforts of educators, policymakers, and other stakeholders
have helped Tennessee become the fastest-improving state in the nation in terms
of student achievement. The gains Tennessee students have made have been
significant and are unprecedented in our state’s history.
Executive
Summary
From raising academic standards to developing meaningful educator evaluations,
Tennessee has become a national leader in the work to improve student
achievement. Our state has passed bold policies to ensure that all students graduate
from high school prepared for college and the workforce and has implemented
those policies with fidelity. As we move into 2014, it will be important for us to
examine the progress we have made and recommit to the important work that is
still ahead of us.
The State of Education in Tennessee:
The Work in 2013 and Priorities for 2014
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Introduction
Maintaining a Commitment to Rigorous
Standards and Assessments
Strengthening Schools through
Effective Leadership
SCORE Card
Glossary
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2013 State Data
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Expanding Student Access to
Great Teaching
Investing in Technology to
Enhance Instruction
Supporting Students from
Kindergarten to Career
2013 District Data
While we have made tremendous progress as a state, our work is not done.
Student achievement is improving, but this improvement must be sustained
and accelerated. To ensure our students continue to grow in 2014, we will need
to focus on recommitting to rigorous standards and assessments, strengthening
schools through effective leadership, expanding student access to great teaching,
investing in technology to enhance instruction, and supporting students from
kindergarten to career. We must measure our progress, identify challenges, and
make adjustments when needed.
The 2013-2014 State of Education in Tennessee report provides an overview of
the academic gains the state has made, examines the work that has contributed to
the improvements students have experienced, highlights education priorities for
Tennessee in 2014, and provides extensive state and district data. We share this
information with the knowledge that our ultimate goal is that every student in
Tennessee graduates high school prepared for college and the workforce. It will
take the dedication of all partners in the work – from educators and policymakers
to parents and students – to help Tennessee reach this goal.
We believe it can be done. Join us in making it happen.
SCORE Board of
Directors, Steering
Committee, and
Team Members
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