Great Teaching and Leadership

Tennessee’s commitment to high academic standards, aligned assessments, and to using data to support improved student outcomes moved our state from the bottom of the pack nationally in education outcomes to one of the fastest growing in the country. We should remain committed to high expectations through rigorous academic standards and aligned assessments that provide essential data about student achievement and growth.

Tennessee’s commitment to annual teacher evaluations and providing educators with high-quality feedback has led to more effective instruction and significant advances in student achievement. Tennessee should preserve its evaluation system and aim to bolster and strengthen it so that educators continue receiving high-quality feedback that will, in turn, benefit all students.

Access to highly effective teachers is essential for student achievement. However, growing evidence suggests students have unreliable and inequitable access to effective educators, with many school districts reporting high levels of teacher vacancies. This series examines the challenges facing Tennessee’s educator labor market and highlights innovative practices to strengthen it.