The U.S. Department of Education prominently featured two Tennessee reforms in its “Playbook” for others to learn from, as the department returns more education authority to states.¶
The Department unveiled its Learning Agenda Playbook on Wednesday to help states “strengthen their capacity” and “enable them to take greater ownership of education.” The Playbook was developed in collaboration with eight state agencies, including the Tennessee Department of Education (TDOE). ¶
It will provide states with a structured format to guide the development of education agendas and tools to help assess current capabilities and identify areas for growth.¶
“As the monumental shift to return education to the states continues, the Trump Administration is ensuring state leaders have the tools and support necessary to take on this expanded role with confidence,” said U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon. “The Learning Agenda Playbook delivers a rigorous, field-tested framework of best practices, eliminating the need for states to reinvent the wheel. With a clear process and proven tools, states can lead more boldly and drive better outcomes for students and families.”¶
What Tennessee Reforms are Featured
Two of Tennessee’s reforms are featured in the Playbook as case studies of state agencies currently going through the Learning Agenda process. They include TDOE’s literacy strategy and its work to improve postsecondary and workforce readiness through the FutureReadyTN program.¶
TDOE Commissioner Lizzette Reynolds said the Learning Agenda process was beneficial for preserving institutional knowledge.¶
“Bringing evidence, data, and program knowledge together in one place establishes a stronger foundation for organizational learning and future planning,” Reynolds said. “Rather than relying on knowledge held by individual staff members or isolated teams, we created a durable structure to inform decision-making over time and to ensure sustainability of best practices that are improving student outcomes.”¶
How Has the Literacy Strategy Helped
The state’s literacy strategy includes efforts to implement high-quality instructional materials (HQIM), develop statewide instructional guidance and collaborative support, and facilitate ongoing opportunities for professional learning over the past six years. The report cites this strategy as playing a key role in improvements in English language arts.¶
“The state has been persistent in supporting the implementation of the statewide literacy strategy leading to a profound impact on student achievement. Tennessee exceeded pre-pandemic achievement in each of the last three years, shifting from recovery to acceleration,” the report stated.¶
A key question remaining, according to the report, is how TDOE can better support districts' effective use of literacy coaches.¶
What is FutureReadyTN
The FutureReadyTN program is the state’s strategy to build a single, aligned system that carries every student from classroom to career. It involves four pillars that work together.¶
- Credentials of Value: Every credential a Tennessee student earns has clear, demonstrated labor-market value and articulates cleanly into postsecondary credit.
- Individualized Advising: Every student is consistently supported by high-quality, personalized advising and a living High School & Beyond Plan.
- Seamless Transitions: Every student moves from high school into postsecondary education, the workforce, or the military without losing momentum.
- Work-Based Learning: Every student participates in a high-quality, workforce-aligned, hands-on learning experience before graduation.
A key question remaining, according to the report, is what the state is learning about what works, for whom, and under what conditions.¶
Reaction from Gubernatorial Candidates
The Trump Administration’s plan to return more authority over education to the states has received favorable support from some state Republican leaders while Democrats have opposed it.¶
U.S. Senator and gubernatorial candidate Marsha Blackburn was an early supporter of the plan, and on Tuesday she posted on X in support of the state’s participation in the Learning Agenda Playbook.¶
“Pleased that Tennessee is one of eight states in the new Learning Agenda Playbook,” wrote Blackburn. “This is another important step toward returning education decisions to states and local communities, where they belong. Parents and local leaders know what works best for our students.”¶
Blackburn’s opponent in the gubernatorial race, Memphis Democrat Jerri Green, has opposed the Trump administration’s plans for the Department of Education, arguing that sending more education authority to the states will harm special education.¶
“While Republicans try to dismantle and defund public education, I will work to fully fund our public schools and invest in special education,” wrote Green on Facebook. “As a mom of a child with autism, I know first-hand how important investment in special education and classroom resources is to our communities and families.”¶
