2014-15 State of Education Report in Tennessee: Progress Report | Page 5

ELEVATE THE TEACHING PROFESSION IN
TENNESSEE TO ENSURE THAT HIGH-QUALITY
CANDIDATES PURSUE A CAREER IN EDUCATION
AND THAT TENNESSEE’S CURRENT TEACHERS
RECEIVE THE SUPPORT THEY NEED TO
IMPROVE STUDENT LEARNING.
WHAT DO WE NEED TO DO?
Teacher Preparation:
Implement a more rigorous teacher
preparation program approval process and
continue to improve the quality of teacher
preparation programs to create a pipeline
of teachers that effectively meet the needs
of Tennessee students.

Support and Coaching:
Ensure school leaders have the support
they need to provide teachers with highquality feedback and support as a result of
Tennessee’s teacher evaluation.

Teacher Recognition:
Ensure Tennessee maintains its
commitment to being the fastestimproving state in the country in teacher
pay and expands opportunities for highperforming teachers to be recognized for
their exemplary instruction.

Teacher Leader Models:
Provide leadership opportunities to
current teachers through the expanded
implementation of teacher leader models
throughout the state.

Literacy Instruction:
Convene a task force to develop a
strategic plan around statewide reading
performance that will ensure all educators
have the support they need to help all
Tennessee students establish a strong
foundation in reading.

WHO CAN HELP?

HOW WILL WE MEASURE SUCCESS?

State Board of Education and the
Tennessee Department of Education:
Implement a more rigorous teacher
preparation program approval process.

 A more rigorous teacher preparation
program approval process is implemented.

School districts and CORE offices:
Provide professional learning
opportunities to school leaders on
providing high-quality coaching and
support to teachers.

 Professional learning opportunities
provided to school leaders on teacher
coaching and support.

Tennessee leaders:
Maintain a commitment to being the
fastest-improving state in the country in
teacher pay in 2015.

 Improvements made in teacher pay.

Tennessee Department of Education:
Expand teacher leader models throughout
the state.

 Additional support provided to districts
in the development of teacher leader
models.

Tennessee Association of Colleges for
Teacher Education, the Tennessee Higher
Education Commission, and educators:
Convene a taskforce that includes national
experts to develop a strategic plan around
literacy performance for Tennessee.

 Strategic plan around literacy
performance developed for Tennessee.