SCORE unveils new objectives aimed at ensuring Tennessee students succeed in the classroom and beyond

Image of chalk on a classroom chalkboard (Photo by Markus Spiske/Pexels)

In a presentation before lawmakers of the House Education Committee, State Collaborative on Reforming Education (SCORE) representatives outlined several five year goals that would dramatically increase not only student proficiency rates in schools but would also help set students up for success in both post-secondary education and ultimately in their careers. 

As previously reported by the Tennessee Firefly, testing data released by The National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) demonstrate significant improvement among Tennessee students, but also room for growth. 

“We are leading the nation in recovery because of the policy environment we have,” said SCORE Vice President of Policy and Government Relations Aleah Guthrie. “But proficiency rates are still too low. We have way too many students in Tennessee who are going to struggle in life, in being successful and being economically independent.”

In their presentation, Guthrie and SCORE Director of Data Alexis Parker laid out a series of goals for third-grade reading, seventh-grade math, post-secondary pathways, and post-secondary completion. Currently, third-grade English language arts (ELA) proficiency rates are at 41 percent based on Tennessee Comprehensive Assessment Program (TCAP) testing scores.  SCORE predicts that if just one additional child per classroom reaches proficiency over the next five years, the state would reach 71 percent proficiency by 2030. 

Using the same one child per class, per year goal, Parker says seventh-grade math proficiency rates could go from 38 percent to 58 percent by 2030. Parker and Guthrie pointed out that knowledge gained in both those grade levels is critical to building additional skills and has a major impact on a student’s overall success, including whether they are successful in college or trade school.

The two additional goals focused on post-secondary education.  Currently, 57 percent percent of Tennessee students enroll in some form of post-secondary education, but SCORE representatives hope that if the goals for primary education are met, that number would jump to 77 percent by 2030.  Additionally, they laid out a dual post-secondary completion goal of 64 percent by 2030, up from 44 percent today.  Within that population, an additional goal is to have 75 percent of those who complete college or trade school obtain so-called impact credentials, meaning they gain qualifications in a higher-wage, in-demand field.  The goal is to ensure children not only succeed in the classroom, but also in their adult lives.

Exactly how to improve student performance and reach those markers sparked questions from lawmakers, including Representative Sam McKenzie, D-Knoxville, who wanted to know how the new voucher bill might affect data collection. Representative Yusuf Hakim, D-Chattanooga, expressed concern about why so many students continue to struggle.

“What’s happening with those students who are not becoming proficient?” asked Rep. Hakim. “I guess I’m thinking about a disadvantage, poor learning environment… what are we doing over that time period to change the environment for that group of young people?”

It was a sentiment later echoed by Representative Scott Cepicky, R-Culleoka.

“What are we not doing from the classroom? What are we not doing from the General Assembly?” he asked.  “How and what and why are we missing these kids and what are we going to do to get it fixed?”

“The number one in-school factor that impacts the student’s learning is the teacher in the classroom,” said Guthrie, emphasizing the importance of improving the classroom environment for teachers as well as students by providing them with high quality instructional materials, professional development opportunities and continuing to find innovative ways to improve their workflow. “There are a lot of different strategies that our state has implemented.  It’s about differentiating between what are those foundations that we need to commit to, and we need to keep doing in order to continue on this trajectory, and what are the other ideas where we need to innovate and improve and try something new.”