Education 101 - An Overview of Recent Education Reforms in Tennessee
Taking Note
JANUARY 2011
Examining Key Education Reform Ideas in Tennessee
Education 101:
An Overview of Recent Education Reforms in Tennessee
In the past two years, Tennessee has transformed from a laggard in
education reform to a national leader. Although the state’s student
achievement levels still remain in the bottom quarter nationally,
recent reforms have begun to create the political, policy, and funding
conditions to dramatically improve Tennessee’s schools. It is
critical that state and local leaders develop a deep understanding of
these reforms so that they can ensure these reforms are effectively
implemented. This memo outlines the rationale behind Tennessee’s
recent reforms, summarizes the reforms themselves, and discusses
some of the key education issues expected to arise in 2011.
Rationale for Reform
State and district leaders have consistently cited one main reason for
improving the state’s education system – jobs. Recent research by the
Tennessee Department of Workforce Development found that seven of
the ten fastest growing occupations in Tennessee require some type of
postsecondary education.i Moreover, while the unemployment rate for
Tennesseans with a Bachelor’s degree is 5.2%, the unemployment rate
for Tennesseans with an Associate’s degree is 6.8%, for Tennesseans
with only a high school diploma is 9.7%, and for Tennesseans without
a high school diploma is 14.6%.ii Perhaps most shockingly, over the
course of a lifetime, a college graduate makes an average of $1.2
million more than a worker with only a high school diploma.iii
The strong connection between education and jobs is particularly clear
at some of the companies that have recently invested in Tennessee.
Working at the new Hemlock Semiconductor plant in Clarksville
requires passing six Work Key tests (including tests in applied math,
applied technology, and reading for information) while applying for a
manufacturing job at the new Volkswagen plant in Chattanooga requires
a 19 on the ACT or at least a “C” grade in college-level classes that
require reading and math.iv An effective state education system is
crucial to creating more jobs in Tennessee and giving Tennesseans the
skills to enter the 21st century workforce.
Unfortunately, there is clear evidence that Tennessee’s education
system is performing poorly relative to education systems in other
states. By almost every education metric, Tennessee almost always
ranks in the bottom quarter nationally, consistently behind all other
Southeastern states except Alabama, Louisiana, and Mississippi. For
example, Tennessee ranks 39th on national assessment tests in math
2009-2010 Education Reforms
REFORM
DESCRIPTION
Tennessee
Diploma
Project
An effort led by former Governor Phil Bredesen
to raise standards for Tennessee students to
ensure every student graduates high school
prepared for the workforce or college
First to the
Top Act
Passed in January 2010, the largest piece of
education reform legislation in Tennessee
since 1992
Race to
the Top
A competitive federal grant giving Tennessee
$501 million over the next four years to
implement innovative education reforms
Tennessee
SCORE
A non-profit founded by former U.S. Senate
Majority leader Bill Frist to build bipartisan
statewide support for education reform
Federal and
Philanthropic
Grants
Tennessee has received over $710 million in
competitive federal and philanthropic grants
over the past two years
and reading and 42nd in the percentage of individuals 25 years or older
who possess a Bachelor’s degree.v If these rankings do not improve,
it will become increasingly difficult for Tennessee to create and recruit
new, good paying jobs.
Luckily, there is clear evidence that a state can significantly improve its
education system over time. For example, Florida went from ranking
34th on national assessment tests in 1992 to ranking 25th in 2009. By
contrast, Tennessee went from ranking 35th in 1992 to ranking 39th in
2009.vi If Tennessee can make the same types of gains Florida made,
tens of more thousands of Tennesseans will graduate high school,
enroll in postsecondary education, and have a much better chance of
obtaining a good paying job.
“State and district leaders have consistently
cited one main reason for improving the state’s
education system – jobs.”
1207 18th Avenue South, Suite 326, Nashville, TN 37212 — tel 615.727.1545 — fax 615.727.1569 — www.tnscore.org