EXECUTIVE
SUMMARY
When the U.S. Chamber of Commerce gave Tennessee an “F” for truth in advertising in 2007, the imperative
to improve the quality of public education in the state became undeniable. Since then, a series of policies
and practices have transformed Tennessee’s education system and led to strong gains for many of our
students. Now, Tennessee must embed the reforms of recent years into the daily practices of schools and
districts statewide.
Since 2009, the State Collaborative on Reforming
individual interviews with state and national partners.
Education (SCORE) has published a comprehensive
Finally, SCORE looks to other states and current
annual report on the state of public education in
research to identify evidence-based best practices
Tennessee. These reports provide an update on
in education that can drive solutions to persistent
Tennessee’s work to improve student achievement
problems in Tennessee. In addition to research on
and set education priorities for the coming year.
policy changes and promising practices, thi s report
reflects information gathered through:
The 2015-16 State of Education in Tennessee report
reflects insights gained through conversations with
• 40 focus groups with teachers, principals, and
teachers, principals, and district leaders across the
district leaders in eight regions across the
state. These conversations inform SCORE’s progress
state
monitoring of both successes and challenges faced
in schools and classrooms. These partners also
provide a clearer picture of the supports needed
to continually improve student achievement in
Tennessee. SCORE also gathers information through
• 9 in-depth interviews with state-level leaders
in education
• 4 in-depth interviews with national education
partners
• Discussions with SCORE’s Steering
Committee, a group of more than 35
policymakers, educators, elected officials,
business leaders, parents, and students who
advise SCORE’s work
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