2026 State of Education in Tennessee: Moving Every Student Forward
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High-Quality Public Charter Schools | Data Insights | Innovative Models
2024-25 Tennessee Public Charter School Demographics
February 5, 2026
Public charter schools serve a larger proportion of students from historically underserved groups — including Black, Hispanic, and economically disadvantaged students — than their traditional public school peers.
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High-Quality Public Charter Schools | Data Insights | Innovative Models
Tennessee Charter School Quick Facts
February 5, 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
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 | 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 artificial intelligence (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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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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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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High-Quality Public Charter Schools | Data Insights | Innovative Models
Tennessee Charter Schools Excel in Postpandemic Performance
July 30, 2025
Researchers at the University of Kentucky and the University of Southern California examined the academic performance of Tennessee charter school students before, during, and after the COVID-19 pandemic. Using longitudinal student data from 2017–18 through 2022–23, the study evaluated standardized math and English language arts (ELA) test scores across the state. Their findings demonstrate the significant positive impact that Tennessee’s public charter schools have had on students.
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High-Quality Public Charter Schools | Data Insights | Postsecondary Success | Innovative Models | K-12 Success
Tennessee Public Charter Schools Are Preparing Students For Postsecondary Education
April 3, 2025
In Tennessee, many public charter schools build a strong postsecondary culture to support students to strive for success in college, career, and life.
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High-Quality Public Charter Schools | Data Insights | Innovative Models
Tennessee Public Charter School Students See Strong Growth
April 2, 2025
You may have heard claims suggesting that charter schools target enrollment efforts at high-achieving students, a practice commonly referred to as “cherry picking” or “skimming.” When it comes to Tennessee public charter schools, it’s important to understand the opposite is true.
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High-Quality Public Charter Schools | Data Insights | Innovative Models | K-12 Success
National Study Highlights Student Growth in Tennessee Public Charter Schools
April 2, 2025
According to a 2023 national study by Stanford University’s Center for Research on Education Outcomes (CREDO), public charter school students experience more average growth in math and English language arts than their counterparts in noncharter schools. In Tennessee, this growth equals an additional month and a half of learning for public charter school students.
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