The State Collaborative on Reforming Education (SCORE), an educational non-profit founded by Senator Bill Frist, M.D., has been a pivotal force in shaping educational priorities and tracking progress for Tennessee students from kindergarten through 12th grade (K-12) for the past 15 years. Each year, SCORE releases a comprehensive report outlining their goals for the upcoming year. This year’s report, “Casting a Vision for Student Success,” highlights six crucial focal points for Tennessee’s education system, aiming to enhance foundational policies and establish effective routes between education and career opportunities.
Senator Bill Frist, M.D., the chairman and founder of SCORE, emphasized the importance of every step in a student’s educational journey, from the early years through high school graduation. He pointed out that there are crucial indicators of success at each milestone that build on one another, ultimately giving students the best chance at a fulfilling education, career, and life. He asserted that when data and ideas are available to support students throughout their journeys, actionable steps must be taken to prepare them for their futures.
Setting the Stage for TN2030
The Importance of Third-Grade Literacy
Third-grade literacy stands as a pivotal milestone for student achievement. Students who are not reading at grade level by the third grade are likely to struggle with future coursework and learning experiences. Moreover, they are less likely to graduate from high school or pursue postsecondary education. This early indicator is crucial for long-term academic success and is a primary focus of SCORE’s TN2030 initiative. By investing in early literacy programs and ensuring that students receive the support they need to reach this essential milestone, Tennessee can lay the foundation for improved educational outcomes throughout a student’s academic career.
Middle school math, particularly seventh-grade proficiency, is another crucial predictor of high school graduation and success in complex high school mathematics courses. Success in these areas, especially algebra, is highly predictive of future postsecondary achievement. Students proficient in seventh-grade math are better prepared for the challenges of high school mathematics, which in turn influences their ability to succeed in postsecondary education. By focusing on these early indicators, SCORE aims to set students on a path to success from an early age.
Post-Secondary Pathways and Credential Completion
Post-secondary education opens doors to more job opportunities and higher earnings, which are critical for economic independence. Research indicates that students who do not pursue a postsecondary pathway immediately after high school are less likely to earn a postsecondary credential later in life. Completing education beyond high school can propel students toward career success, resulting in higher lifetime earnings, increased civic participation, and decreased involvement in the criminal justice system. Ensuring that students are prepared for postsecondary education and credential completion is a key focus of the TN2030 initiative.
Projections suggest that 63% of Tennessee jobs will soon require some form of education beyond high school. Therefore, ensuring that students are prepared for postsecondary education and credential completion is a key focus of the TN2030 initiative. By setting ambitious yet attainable statewide goals, SCORE aims to furnish more Tennesseans with clear pathways toward opportunities. This initiative underscores the importance of providing students with the resources and support they need to succeed in postsecondary education, thereby enhancing their prospects for long-term career success and economic independence.
Connecting Credentials and Workforce Opportunity
Addressing the Workforce Gap
An evident gap exists between workforce needs and the availability of qualified Tennesseans. Although 63% of Tennessee jobs will soon require post-high school training, only 47.9% of adults currently hold a postsecondary credential or degree. Moreover, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce reports that there are only 56 available workers for every 100 open jobs in Tennessee. This gap highlights the need for better alignment between education and workforce requirements. Identifying strategies to bridge this gap is essential for ensuring that the state’s workforce is equipped to meet the demands of an evolving job market.
SCORE’s focus on connecting credentials and workforce opportunities aims to bridge this gap. By ensuring that students are equipped with the necessary skills and credentials, Tennessee can better meet the demands of its evolving job market. This alignment is crucial for the state’s economic growth and the individual success of its residents. Effective programs that align educational outcomes with workforce needs can play a significant role in closing this gap, ensuring that more Tennesseans are prepared for high-demand, well-paying jobs.
Leveraging Postsecondary Funding
Tennessee’s postsecondary funding formula is a pivotal tool that can be leveraged to create better pathways from education to career. SCORE notes that Tennessee cemented its leadership in postsecondary funding policy in 2010 by adopting a funding formula that awards most of the state appropriations to higher education institutions based on outcomes, such as credit accumulation and graduation rates. This outcome-based approach incentivizes institutions to focus on student success and completion, thereby driving improvements in educational outcomes.
By improving long-term student success through strategic postsecondary funding, Tennessee can ensure that more students are prepared for the workforce. This approach benefits individual students and contributes to the overall economic health of the state. By aligning funding with student success metrics, Tennessee can create a more effective and efficient postsecondary education system that fosters higher completion rates and better prepares students for the job market.
Focusing on High School Pathways
Early Postsecondary Opportunities and Career and Technical Education
The state needs focused information on the impact of specific educational experiences on workforce outcomes. Programs such as Early Postsecondary Opportunities (EPSOs), Career and Technical Education (CTE), and Work-Based Learning (WBL) play a significant role in fast-tracking students toward credentials and careers. Research shows that these experiences positively influence student outcomes, including graduation rates and postsecondary enrollment. Providing students with practical, hands-on learning experiences helps bridge the gap between education and the workforce, equipping them with the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in their chosen careers.
By providing students with practical, hands-on learning experiences, these programs help bridge the gap between education and the workforce. They equip students with the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in their chosen careers, thereby enhancing their economic independence. High school pathways that incorporate EPSOs, CTE, and WBL can play a crucial role in ensuring that students are well-prepared for postsecondary education and the job market. By focusing on these programs, Tennessee can create stronger connections between education and career opportunities.
Innovating to Recruit and Retain Excellent Educators
Building an effective K-12 teacher workforce is a priority for Tennessee. Teachers hold paramount importance in preparing students for postsecondary education, the workforce, and life. Studies show that teachers matter more for student achievement than any other school-related factor. Many districts in Tennessee face challenges fully staffing their schools with qualified teachers, indicating a need for localized solutions. To address these challenges, innovative strategies for recruiting and retaining excellent educators are essential.
To address these challenges, innovative strategies for recruiting and retaining excellent educators are essential. By investing in initiatives that support teacher recruitment and retention, Tennessee can ensure that its schools are staffed with high-quality educators who can drive student success. These strategies may include targeted recruitment efforts, competitive salaries, professional development opportunities, and support systems that help retain teachers in the profession. Ensuring a robust K-12 teacher workforce is critical for the long-term success of Tennessee’s educational system.
Achieving Long-Term Goals
Bolstering Access to High-Quality Public Charter Schools
National research shows that a robust public charter sector benefits students in all public schools, particularly those from low-income backgrounds. In Tennessee, students of color and economically disadvantaged students in charter schools perform at or above their district peers in terms of proficiency, showcasing charter schools as an effective strategy for supporting historically underserved groups. By expanding access to high-quality public charter schools, Tennessee can provide more students with educational options that meet their needs.
Expanding access to high-quality public charter schools is a key strategy for improving educational outcomes for all students. By supporting the growth of the charter school sector and ensuring that these schools are held to high standards of accountability, Tennessee can create a more diverse and effective educational landscape. This approach can help address the needs of historically underserved student populations, providing them with the opportunities they need to succeed academically and beyond.
Recommitting to Foundational K-12 Policies That Have Advanced Student Success
Tennessee is a leader in setting high expectations for students and teachers, monitoring progress, and using data to drive improvement. This wasn’t always the case. In 2007, national assessment data revealed that only 29% of Tennessee fourth-graders were proficient in math and 27% in reading, yet state assessments claimed much higher proficiency rates. This discrepancy led to the introduction of three key policies: rigorous academic standards, aligned assessments, and comprehensive teacher evaluations. These policies have been fundamental to Tennessee’s educational improvement efforts.
By recommitting to these foundational K-12 policies, Tennessee can continue to drive improvements in student achievement. Maintaining high expectations for students and educators, using data to inform decision-making, and ensuring that assessments are aligned with academic standards are all crucial components of a successful educational system. As Tennessee moves toward achieving the TN2030 goals, these policies will play a vital role in ensuring that students have the support and resources they need to succeed.
Conclusion
The State Collaborative on Reforming Education (SCORE), founded by Senator Bill Frist, M.D., is an educational non-profit that has played a critical role in shaping priorities and monitoring progress for Tennessee’s K-12 students for 15 years. Every year, SCORE publishes a detailed report to outline their objectives for the upcoming year. The current report, “Casting a Vision for Student Success,” identifies six vital focal areas aimed at reinforcing foundational educational policies and establishing efficient pathways between education and career opportunities in Tennessee.
Senator Bill Frist, M.D., founder and chairman of SCORE, stressed the significance of each stage in a student’s educational voyage, from the early years through high school graduation. He highlighted that success indicators at each milestone build on one another, ultimately providing students the best chance for a rewarding education, career, and life. Frist underscored that when data and insights are available to support students along their journey, it is imperative to take actionable steps to prepare them for their futures, thereby ensuring their potential is fully realized.
