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

Larger Investment, Student Needs, And Transparency Emerge As Key Themes In Education Funding Meetings

January 14, 2022 | Amanda Glover, Madeline Price

As subcommittees meet to discuss changes to Tennessee’s education funding formula, the SCORE team offers a summary of key themes that have emerged in the meetings thus far.

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FAFSA Challenge Aims To Get More Students To College With More Aid Dollars In Hand

January 5, 2022 | Tennessee Higher Education Commission

By completing the FAFSA earlier in the senior year of high school, students can take advantage of financial aid dollars being left on the table. The TN FAFSA Challenge aims to increase FAFSA completion by students through a friendly competition that recognizes high schools for boosting completion rates.

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Tennessee Charter Schools Offer An Opportunity For The Future Of Public Education

December 20, 2021 | David Mansouri

Tennessee has demonstrated to the nation how to launch and grow a successful public charter school sector. Now we must accelerate the opportunities for high-performing schools to grow and serve more students and families.

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Demanding Better For Tennessee’s Kids: The Benefits Of High-Quality Charter Options

December 9, 2021 | Diane Hughes

Parents, policymakers, advocates, and educators are calling for Tennessee to expand high-quality public charter schools in order to strengthen the public education system and ensure all students have the best opportunities for success.

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Supporting Student Success And Career Readiness Through Improved Data Access

December 9, 2021 | Alexis Parker

Better use of our existing data systems can set a strong foundation for success and help support students across every point in the education to workforce pipeline.

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Helping Students Chart A Path To Postsecondary Success

December 2, 2021 | Erica Carey

Citing career exploration in middle school as a key indicator of future academic and career success, an eighth-grade teacher from Hamblen County discusses her efforts to expose students to career opportunities.

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Five Actions State Education Leaders Can Take To Inspire Transformative ESSER Spending

November 30, 2021 | Dr. Ventura Rodriguez, Dr. Sharon Roberts

Five ways state policymakers and advocates can take advantage of federal relief funds to map the path for meaningful change in schools and school districts.

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Using Personalized Coaching And Microgrants To Support College Completion

November 18, 2021 | Dr. Richard Bailey

SCORE’s Data Playbook — Community-Based College Success Programs: A Playbook For Data-Driven Student Support — spotlights programs across Tennessee that are increasing enrollment in and completion of college and career training. A common denominator of these programs is their use of data to fine-tune their work. This post highlights the work of Knox Promise and how data guides their approach to student support.

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Teacher Voices: The Power Of A Pity Ribbon

November 11, 2021 | Stacey Jefferson

Reflecting on the actions of her childhood teacher, a Tennessee educator shares the memorable moment that makes her a better teacher today.

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How Advising Support, Summer Bridge Programming Can Help More Students Make Transition To College

November 1, 2021 | Alexis Parker

For first-generation college students like Salvador, the college-going process is much more difficult to navigate. Additional advising, enrollment supports, and summer bridge programming can make a big difference for these students.

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SCORE Report Sets Out Principles For Education Funding Changes In Tennessee

October 21, 2021 | SCORE

Tennessee arrived at its current education finance system 30 years ago, and the fundamental structure of the complex Basic Education Program formula has changed little since then. A new analysis from SCORE can help inform thinking and guide discussions about how to reorient the system toward students and supporting their individual learning needs.

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Educator Survey: Teachers Weigh In On Job Satisfaction, Pandemic Challenges, And More

October 21, 2021 | Caroline O’Connor

The latest Tennessee Educator Survey reveals job satisfaction rating, concerns about COVID-related challenges, and strategies for accelerating student learning.

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