Supporting Effective Teaching in Tennessee: Executive Summary | Page 6

of principal training, significant work remains in turning
this policy into a reality.
• Tennessee has one of the best student data systems in the
country. However, greater attention needs to be paid to
ensuring policymakers, superintendents, principals, and
teachers use this data to effectively design policies and
improve classroom instruction.
• Tennessee could significantly expand learning opportunities
for its students. Specifically, the state is still learning how to
effectively deliver both online learning courses and courses
that offer a seamless transition between high school and
higher education. Although the state has made some initial
efforts on both fronts, there is significant opportunity to
grow and diversify these learning options.

As these districts illustrate, many good things are happening
in education across Tennessee. However, Tennessee has a long
way to go. SCORE’s final report, which will be released in late
October, will provide specific recommendations for how the
state can improve its K-12 education system in a strategic and
comprehensive manner.

Courtesy of Teresa Suarez

Some districts are making bold efforts to improve student
achievement in these and other areas. Thirty-four such
“promising practices” are highlighted in this report on pages
44 through 51. Although it is too early for conclusive data to
exist on many of these practices, they provide “promising” ideas
from which others might learn.

This report concludes by examining how districts across
the state are performing relative to one another. As one
would expect, there is a strong relationship between student
achievement and student demographic characteristics.
However, many districts with varying student demographic
characteristics are rapidly improving student achievement.
This report highlights five of the highest-performing districts:
Alcoa City, Clinton City, Trenton Special School District,
Jefferson County, and Claiborne County. This report finds
these districts (1) have targeted professional development
opportunities for teachers that are embedded within schools
and maintained over time (2) invest in training and developing
strong school leaders (3) utilize data to improve teaching and
learning and (4) provide supplemental services to support
their most disadvantaged students.

Former U.S. Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist visits with students after SCORE’s
kick-off press conference at Fall Hamilton Elementary School in Nashville.

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