While Tennessee student achievement in math and
science has shown continued growth over the past
four years, student achievement in reading has
remained stagnant and in some cases decreased.170
Tennessee
The Tennessee Department of Education offered
teachers to further
intensive reading instruction courses to Tennessee
improve their instruction in
teachers over the past two years. These courses
literacy, with a focus on expanding access
should be improved upon and expanded, allowing
to these courses for early grade teachers.
Ensuring Teacher Voice at Andersonville Elementary,
Delano Optional School, and Dresden Elementary
Across the state, schools and districts are working to engage teachers
more substantially in decision-making. The school and district
leaders of the three SCORE Prize elementary finalists have
established specific routines to allow teachers a voice in developing
and adjusting strategies and policies for teaching and learning. Ensuring
that regular structures exist to engage teachers beyond informal feedback is key to
incorporating feedback into planning.
In Anderson County, the school district altered its schedule, creating “Early Out Wednesdays,” to allow
teachers time to collaborate and connect with school leaders to plan. Using this common planning time
as well as common professional development that they requested, teachers at Andersonville Elementary
have designed and led an initiative to build a growth mindset among their students. Based on research
and their professional development, the teachers believe that working on the growth mindset will improve
overall student achievement.
Teachers have leadership on academic and enrichment committees at Delano Optional School in Shelby
County. These roles allow teachers the opportunity to help design and shape curriculum within and
outside the school day. In addition, leadership roles for all teachers provide another way to ensure that
teacher collaboration is frequent across all grades and subjects including enrichment programs such as
music, art, and technology. Teachers at Delano cite this shared leadership and collaboration as key to
their overall success.
At Dresden Elementary in Weakley County, school leaders seek input from teachers through a monthly
faculty advisory council. These meetings occur in addition to regular weekly teacher planning meetings.
Based on faculty input from the advisory council, school leaders have made changes to school schedules
and structure. Teachers report feeling respected and know that their suggestions are regularly heard.
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