Perspectives

Perspectives is SCORE’s blog that offers insights and thought leadership on key issues in education. This platform features contributions from SCORE team members and other experts who share viewpoints on improving educational outcomes in Tennessee. Through Perspectives, SCORE aims to inspire innovative thinking and foster informed discussions that advance student success.

Recent Perspectives

A teacher reads a book to two young students at a round table in a colorful classroom setting.

Tennessee Educator Preparation Programs Work to Improve Alignment with the Science of Reading

June 9, 2026 | Dr. Zachary Hyder, Mary Kate Hillis, Nina Brown

With Tennessee’s literacy gains driven in part by the implementation of the science of reading through high-quality instructional materials, it is critical that we prepare future educators to teach reading aligned to that research. Ratings from the National Council on Teacher Quality help monitor how well educator preparation programs are preparing future educators.

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Three people stand in a conference room, engaged in discussion. One holds a laptop, while two others listen attentively.

SCORE and Playlab Launch the Tennessee AI Ecosystems Project

May 22, 2026 | Amanda Glover

In partnership with Playlab and with support from Google.org, SCORE launched the Tennessee AI Ecosystems Project, a network of nine innovative Tennessee school districts and charter management organizations focused on shaping strategic, responsible, and effective AI implementation across Tennessee.

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A smiling girl in a classroom, holding a pencil, focuses on her work with blurred classmates and a green wall in the background.

Lessons From Math Gains in Memphis Charter Schools

May 15, 2026 | Trent Carlson

The recent math performance in Memphis charter schools serves as a powerful example of what is possible for schools when they align around high-quality materials, strong instruction, and continuous improvement.

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Child with long hair attentively writing with a pencil, surrounded by school supplies, seated on a colorful carpet.

What Matters: Tennessee’s Student Growth Signals a Broader Education Transformation

May 13, 2026 | David Mansouri

The release of the 2026 Education Scorecard offers the latest evidence that Tennessee’s approach is working, ranking the state second in student growth in math and fourth in reading growth between 2022 and 2025.

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Historic building with tall columns and a central dome, set against a blue sky with scattered clouds.

Five Education Wins from the 2026 Legislative Session

April 27, 2026 | Kirby Henslee

On April 23, the 114th Tennessee General Assembly adjourned sine die, concluding a legislative session that advanced several important education priorities for Tennessee students and families. The SCORE team highlights five key achievements from the 2026 legislative session.

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Person wearing safety glasses operates a DeWalt miter saw in a workshop, focusing on the task.

Building Futures in Blue Oval City: How West Tennessee Students Are Getting Career-Ready

April 22, 2026 | Erin Malafronte

Haywood High School is one of five schools in Michigan and Tennessee chosen as the recipient of a Ford Future Builders Lab. These labs provide K-12 classrooms with high-quality equipment that allows educators to engage learners in academic and hands-on learning that builds skills for 21st century careers.

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A diverse group of people smiling in a brightly lit room, some standing and some seated, with plants and large windows in the background.

How Finance Leadership Can Become a Partner in Serving ALL Students: Lessons from a Finance Leaders Cohort

March 27, 2026 | Emma McWeeney

It’s a common challenge for financial decision-makers in Tennessee schools: Balance the budget while ensuring all students have access to the support they need to succeed. The Finance Leaders Cohort, a 15-month program led by SCORE and All Means All, brought leaders together to reimagine the role of finance leadership in public charter schools.

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Wooden door partially open, showing a classroom in session. The glass inset displays a "KIPP Nashville" logo. Students and desks are visible inside.

Real-World Problems, Real-World Solutions: KIPP Nashville Leads the Way in Innovative Work-Based Learning

February 13, 2026 | Sam Brobeck

In partnership with the Tennessee Department of Education, Teamship, and local business leaders, KIPP Nashville is showing how high-quality work-based learning can bridge the gap between the classroom and the workforce by equipping students to take on real-world organizational challenges and propose practical solutions.

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Teacher assisting students with tablets at a round table in a classroom setting, colorful walls and educational materials in the background.

Five Insights from Tennessee’s 2025 School Letter Grades

January 15, 2026 | Jack Roberts Jue

Each year in Tennessee, nearly all public schools receive an A-F letter grade, giving a snapshot of how students performed during the prior school year. The SCORE team analyzed data from the 2024-25 school letter grades and identified five key insights about how schools are performing and what the results reveal about Tennessee’s accountability system. This analysis comes as state leaders are actively considering changes to how school performance is measured and communicated.

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A smiling group of children and a woman with glasses, wearing purple, gather together in a hallway, showcasing joy and camaraderie.

Small School, Big Impact: How Perea Elementary is Redefining What’s Possible in Tennessee Schools

January 9, 2026 | Jay Brown, Erin Malafronte

Perea Elementary, a charter school in the Klondike/Smokey City community in Memphis and a pilot site in SCORE’s Tennessee Educator Staffing Innovation (TESI) Network, is showing how strategic staffing and instructional coherence can transform student outcomes.

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A student in a gray sweater attentively listens and takes notes in a classroom, with another student in the background.

Measuring Readiness, Unlocking Opportunity: Five Insights From Tennessee’s 2025 ACT Results and Why They Matter for Students

December 18, 2025 | Jack Roberts Jue

A key indicator of postsecondary readiness in Tennessee is student performance on the ACT, a nationally recognized assessment that measures the cumulative skills students learn throughout their K-12 journey. The SCORE team reviewed the 2024-25 ACT state results and identified five key insights highlighting bright spots in the data and areas where Tennessee can improve.

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Five smiling children standing close together outside on grass, with a building in the background.

Tennessee Student Health: Three Insights From New Data Dashboard

November 10, 2025 | Dr. Zachary Hyder, Erin Malafronte, Yaze Li

When Tennessee prioritizes student health, we advance student success and workforce opportunity. This Perspective highlights three key learnings from a new health resources and services dashboard that details how Tennessee schools connect students to health services.

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