Our Goals For Kids In Tennessee

All students receive an excellent public K-12 education.

All students earn a credential or postsecondary degree.

All students are prepared for a career that enables economic independence.

Across all goals, all students have equitable opportunities for success.

Where Tennessee Students Stand

2 out of 3 third-graders read below grade level.

9 out of 10 graduate high school but only 4 out of 10 are ready for college or career.

Only 1 out of 4 ninth-graders go on to earn a postsecondary credential or degree.

Join us in helping Tennessee students rise to best in the nation!

Learning That Leads To A Great Career

Delivering Results For Tennessee Students

  • Tennessee set high expectations for K-12 in 2010 and has maintained strong academic standards.
  • Tennessee became the fastest-improving state on the Nation’s Report Card in 2013. Now our students perform at or near the national average.
  • Tennessee created a rigorous state assessment aligned to academic standards.
  • Tennessee is a national leader in erasing the honesty gap between proficiency rates on the state assessment and the Nation’s Report Card.
  • Tennessee became the first state to offer free tuition for community college in 2015.
  • By 2019, 64 percent of students were entering postsecondary education right after high school graduation, an increase of more than 7 points. (In 2022, postsecondary enrollment has declined due to the COVID-19 pandemic and is now at about 59 percent.)
  • Tennessee implemented an accountability system focused on more equitable outcomes for students, regardless of where they live.
  • African American fourth-graders in Tennessee made the second-highest math gain on the Nation’s Report Card and now exceed the national average.
  • Tennessee included student growth measures in implementing annual teacher evaluations in 2011.
  • About three out of four teachers say that teacher evaluation has improved instruction.

Our Issues In 2022

We are advocating to advance student outcomes with a focus this year on:

Accelerate Student Learning

We must accelerate student learning in K-12 to overcome pandemic disruptions and return students to a path of college and career success.

Close Tennessee’s College Completion Gaps

We must provide students — including those who are Black, Hispanic, and economically disadvantaged — with the credentials and skills necessary to succeed in today’s economy.

Increase High-Quality Charter School Opportunities

By expanding high-quality nonprofit public charter schools, we can provide more students with effective, innovative learning environments that can improve their achievement and postsecondary readiness.

Support Students To Be Ready For Careers

K-12 and higher education systems must provide students with coursework and other learning opportunities that are aligned to the workforce.

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