Despite increased investments in academic support to combat “learning loss” that came as a result of COVID-19, a recent report from Brown University researchers suggests students in Metro Nashville Public Schools are not benefitting much from tutoring.

The new school year is underway across Tennessee and teachers, administrators, parents, and students are looking forward to new opportunities and clean slates.

The new school year is underway across Tennessee and teachers, administrators, parents, and students are looking forward to new opportunities and clean slates.

The Tennessee Department of Education (TDOE) released the 2020-2022 Accelerating Tennessee Report this week to showcase the steps that have been taken to improve public education in the volunteer state.The report details how Tennessee has been able to implement and execute academic initiatives and strategically invest in schools, students, and faculty since 2020. The state supports nearly one million students, over 70,000 educators and over 1,800 schools across 147 districts.“I am deeply proud of the work Tennessee’s districts, school leaders and educators, students, elected officials, community partners, families and department staff have done strategically and with a common goal in mind—achieving the best for ALL students,” said Tennessee Department of Education Commissioner Penny Schwinn.The report details some of the key steps Tennessee took following the COVID-19 pandemic to ensure students received a high-quality education during remote learning. This includes the Reading 360 and Tennessee All Corps initiatives Tennessee launched in 2021 to give students the best chance at recovering from pandemic learning loss with additional resources to ensure they are reading at grade-level.“One-on-one tutoring provides individualized assistance to get our students not only back on track academically but on a successful path for their future,” said Cameron Sexton, Speaker of the House, Tennessee General Assembly. “We all want and continue to work towards the same outcome in education- every student that graduates from a Tennessee school does so with the skills and opportunities for success in life.”TDOE additionally focused on providing each Tennessee student with the proper tools and skills they need to succeed post-graduation. The Innovative School Models initiative allows school districts to reimagine the middle and high school experience to improve student readiness. The initiative was launched in 2022 with a $500 million investment from the state.“Instead of asking all students to conform to one traditional educational experience, we are creating individual pathways for students to achieve success,” said Dr. Annette Tudor, Director of Schools, Bristol City Schools.Tennessee became the first state in the nation to launch a Grow Your Own initiative, which creates a pathway for Tennessee students to become Tennessee teachers, a direct response to combat nation-wide and local teacher shortages.In addition to these initiatives, Governor Bill Lee introduced legislation to implement a student-based funding formula, replacing a decades-old, outdated formula that no longer served the state productively. The Tennessee Investment in Student Achievement Act brings an additional $1 billion in annual investment, revolutionizing the way the state supports its students and provides them with necessary resources.“What lies ahead is a continued commitment and focus on closing achievement gaps, strategically investing in proven initiatives, and accelerating student academic achievement,” said Commissioner Schwinn. “The department will continue to prioritize transparency and access to actionable data and resources for Tennessee students, families, and stakeholders to continue partnering in this essential work.”