Thanks to student-centered policies, practices, and investments, Tennessee has been a national leader in improving student outcomes over the past decade. As the Trump Administration explores shifting key responsibilities from the U.S. Department of Education to the states, Tennessee has an opportunity to reinforce its leadership by anchoring decisions in three guiding principles. As part of SCORE’s Informing the Conversation series, this memo examines how stakeholders can respond to federal shifts with a sense of possibility and urgency by asking how changes might benefit students.

Key Takeaways

In this memo, SCORE examines how Tennessee can leverage the anticipated changes in federal education responsibilities to deepen its leadership and secure lasting gains for students. We outline three guiding principles state leaders and advocates should keep at the forefront:

Accountability for results: Tennessee must ensure that every investment in education yields measurable outcomes. Regardless of federal mandates, the state should recommit to tracking what matters most — student learning, career readiness, and long-term success.
Empowered local innovation: Tennessee’s strength lies in setting clear statewide priorities and providing local communities with the resources to develop solutions aligned to those goals. This approach enables districts, schools, and educators to pilot models that address their unique needs.
A moral obligation to the vulnerable: Tennessee must monitor and safeguard every student’s right to a high-quality education, with particular attention to students with the greatest needs.

As Tennessee enters a new era in education, leaders can navigate toward a stronger, more student-centered education system by considering these guiding principles.