Resources

Education Finance | Postsecondary Success | Education-to-Career Pathways

Workforce Pell: A New Opportunity for Tennesseans to Build Skills Through Short-Term Credentials

January 21, 2026

Tennessee’s economy needs more skilled workers, and forecasts predict that by 2031 most jobs will require some form of postsecondary education. Beginning in 2026, Workforce Pell — the new federal expansion of the Pell Grant program — will provide financial aid for high‑quality short‑term training programs that help Tennesseans quickly gain skills, earn credentials aligned to employer needs, and access high‑wage, in‑demand careers.

High-Quality Public Charter Schools

Resources: Public Charter Schools

January 6, 2026

High-quality nonprofit public charter schools are one strategy Tennessee is using to support and accelerate student learning. Expanding high-quality public charter schools is a research-supported approach for increasing student achievement, with public charters showing better outcomes for Black, Hispanic, and low-income students in Tennessee when compared to many traditional public schools.

High-Quality Public Charter Schools | Data Insights | Innovative Models

Historically Underserved Student Groups in Tennessee Public Charter Schools

January 6, 2026

Public charter schools serve a greater proportion of students from historically underserved groups — namely  students of color and economically disadvantaged students — compared to noncharter schools across the state. On average, these charter students show faster academic growth and higher proficiency levels than their district peers.

High-Quality Public Charter Schools | Innovative Models

Tennessee Public Charter School Commission

January 6, 2026

In Tennessee, the Tennessee Public Charter School Commission is the state’s appellate authorizer. The commission hears new-start, revocation, amendment, and renewal appeals from across the state and serves as the authorizer and local education agency (LEA) for any school it authorizes upon appeal. 

High-Quality Public Charter Schools | Data Insights | Innovative Models

Tennessee Charter School Quick Facts

January 6, 2026

Learn the basic facts about public charter schools in Tennessee, including where they're located and a breakdown of the students they serve.

High-Quality Public Charter Schools | Data Insights | Innovative Models

Tennessee Public Charter School Achievement and Growth

January 6, 2026

Since 2021, public charter schools have seen significant increases in student proficiency across both English language arts (ELA) and math. Learn more about achievement and growth in Tennessee public charter schools.

Instructional Coherence for Literacy: Knox County Study Shows Stronger Growth, Better Alignment, and Teacher Support

December 8, 2025

In 2022–23, SCORE saw early promising signs that aligning literacy intervention to Tier I instruction might accelerate learning more effectively than adding more time, materials, or staffing. Students in SCORE’s high-dosage tutoring network achieved stronger gains when tutoring was instructionally coherent with classroom instruction, especially among students performing in the lowest 10%. Building on this evidence, SCORE sought to further study the impact of instructional coherence, specifically for students who need the most support. To test the hypothesis that instructionally aligned intervention could be more impactful than the traditional RTI² approach, SCORE partnered with Knox County Schools (KCS) to embed a randomized control trial (RCT) into an early literacy pilot during the 2024–25 school year.

2026 State of Education in Tennessee: Moving Every Student Forward

December 3, 2025

Tennessee has never waited for change — we have led with purpose and vision. The 2026 State of Education report outlines the bold policies and actions that will move Tennessee’s shared vision for student success forward. Rooted in data and building on a strong student-centered foundation, it offers a roadmap for advancing outcomes from kindergarten to career.  

TN2030: A Data-Driven Vision for Tennessee Student Success

November 19, 2025

Are students prepared for careers that enable economic independence? Unfortunately, too few Tennessee students today are finding clear paths to opportunity and long-term success. Many leave school without the skills or credentials that open doors — not just to jobs but to careers that enable economic independence. To address this, in 2024 we launched TN2030, a new vision for Tennessee student success rooted in data-driven goals. These ambitious but attainable goals will help our state ensure more Tennesseans are on clear pathways toward opportunity. This report encapsulates those goals.

Data Insights | Innovative Models | K-12 Success

Integrating AI Into English Language Arts

October 28, 2025

Generative AI (GenAI) is advancing quickly, and Tennessee has an opportunity to lead the way in integrating it meaningfully into teaching and learning, starting with English language arts (ELA). Educators and students in Tennessee are already using AI to write, revise, research, brainstorm, and create, but clear guidance is needed to ensure that its use extends the reach of excellent instruction effectively and thoughtfully. Our memo examines how identifying the AI literacy skills and competencies that align with Tennessee’s ELA standards can help students build future-ready skills while supporting teachers with clear expectations and practical tools.

Innovative Models | K-12 Success

Connecting the Dots: The Environment’s Impact on Student Success

October 14, 2025

In 2024, SCORE launched the Connecting the Dots series to spotlight emerging issues beyond our core priorities that are increasingly impacting student success in Tennessee. This year’s symposium focused on how the changing environment — from extreme weather disruptions to the effect on current and future careers — is impacting students’ learning, physical and mental well-being, and long-term opportunities. This memo serves as a continuation of the day’s discussions and includes speaker insights, key data, and practical action to benefit students, our workforce, and the planet.

Education Finance | Postsecondary Success | Education-to-Career Pathways

Driving Workforce Opportunity Through the Outcomes-Based Funding Formula

October 10, 2025

For decades, Tennessee has been a national leader in higher education reform. Yet today, too many students are earning credentials that don’t connect to economic opportunity. This memo makes the case for aligning Tennessee’s outcomes-based formula to an urgent education priority: preparing students for high-wage, high-growth careers.