The State Collaborative on Reforming Education (SCORE) released the following statement from Jamie Woodson, president and CEO, on Thursday’s release of the 2013 results of the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP). Also known as The Nation’s Report Card, NAEP provides one of the few ways to measure how Tennessee students are progressing in comparison to other states:
"For the last few years, Tennesseans have had a clear goal when it comes to the work to improve student achievement: to be the fastest improving state in the country.
The results from the 2013 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) show Tennessee has met this goal. Tennessee students have made more progress than any other state in the nation across 4th and 8th grade reading and math.
"Since 2011 – the last time results from NAEP were released – Tennessee has made dramatic changes to the public education system through bold leadership, comprehensive reforms, and a fidelity to the implementation of key policy changes. Tennessee created a new teacher evaluation system to identify and support great teaching, raised academic standards – most recently through Tennessee’s Common Core State Standards, and intentionally used data to improve teaching and learning in the classroom. There has been steadfast support and leadership from Governor Haslam, the General Assembly, and other state and local leaders for the work to improve student achievement. And finally, Tennessee educators, who are at the front lines of this work each and every day, have shown their dedication and commitment to student success.
"In short, educators, parents, policymakers, business leaders, and most importantly, Tennessee students have risen to the challenge, and now our state is a proof point for what it takes to dramatically improve student achievement.
"Tennessee’s work is not finished. While we have made progress, we must sustain and build on our success. We cannot be content until every student graduates from high school prepared for college and the workforce.
"For now, however, let’s pause and celebrate the progress that students are making in the great state of Tennessee."