2026 State of Education in Tennessee: Moving Every Student Forward
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Data Insights | K-12 Success
The Future of State and Local Assessments in Tennessee
September 23, 2025
Assessments are essential for monitoring student learning and strengthening schools. The Tennessee Comprehensive Assessment Program (TCAP) measures student progress toward Tennessee’s academic standards and has been central to improving proficiency and growth. The results empower families, educators, and policymakers to make data-driven decisions that support stronger outcomes for students. Over the past 15 years, Tennessee’s commitment to high-quality, standards-aligned annual assessments and transparent reporting has contributed to the state’s significant advancement in student achievement.
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Data Insights | Education Finance | K-12 Success
Series: Informing the Conversation
September 16, 2025
Informing the Conversation is a collection of resources offering data, research, insights, and ideas to inform discussions about Tennessee education in the context of federal shifts, offered with an eye toward the urgent need to continue improving student outcomes in our state. In a March 2025 executive order, President Donald Trump directed the U.S. Secretary of Education to “return education authority to the states, while continuing to ensure the effective and uninterrupted delivery of services, programs, and benefits on which Americans rely.” As federal changes unfold, SCORE is committed to collaborating, informing, and offering perspective that we hope can steward change into opportunity for Tennessee students.
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K-12 Success
Federal and State School Accountability in Tennessee
September 10, 2025
Potential changes in federal education policy could reshape how states approach accountability, making it critical to understand how Tennessee’s systems currently work. The state currently uses two accountability systems, each designed for different purposes that reflect different measures of progress. Part of our Informing the Conversation series, this memo provides an overview of how Tennessee’s accountability systems work, how they differ, and what each means for school improvement and transparency.
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Data Insights | Postsecondary Success | K-12 Success
TN2030 Presentation to the State Board of Education
September 5, 2025
In August 2025, Courtney Bell, SCORE’s vice president of research and innovation, gave a presentation to the Tennessee State Board of Education on TN2030 — a statewide vision that sets bold goals for student success, from early literacy to postsecondary readiness — and emphasized the need for a shared commitment to help all students thrive.Watch a recording of the presentation below and view the associated slide deck.
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