The State Collaborative on Reforming Education (SCORE) today released the following statement from founder and Chairman Senator Bill Frist, M.D., about the 2015 National Assessment of Educational Progress, which showed gains for Tennessee in the state rankings:

Bill Frist-squareTennessee students are improving and their gains are real. They are getting smarter and better prepared, and thus will live happier, healthier, and more productive lives.

That is what is confirmed today by the results of the most respected and consistent measure of our kids’ education, the Nation’s Report Card. Tennessee has shown steady and sustained advances compared to the rest of the country over the past four years. We are outpacing all of our peer states and even rank in the top 25 in fourth-grade math.

This remarkable progress can be attributed to community action, effective teaching, and kids who are now held to high expectations, coupled with state education policy that has set high standards.

Thought a laughable impossibility a decade ago, if we stay focused on kids and continue our demonstrated progress, Tennessee can be the best in K-12 education in America.