The Largest Academic Gains in the Country

Forward this Message View as Webpage Engage on Facebook, LinkedIn, & Twitter The largest academic gains in the country You may have heard, but our state received some great news about education last week. Tennessee showed the largest student academic gains of any other state, according to the 2013 results of the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), a highly-regarded independent assessment known as the "nation's report card." Tennessee also had the largest growth of any state in a single testing cycle since NAEP began nationwide testing a decade ago. To put it this way: the education reporter for the Wall Street Journal tweeted shortly after the results were released that Tennessee "blew it out of the water." Our state's fourth and eighth graders were tested in reading and math, and Tennessee students made significant growth on all four of the tests. Here are a few key points worth highlighting: --Tennessee's scores showed students improving half a grade level compared to just two years ago. --Tennessee moved from scoring in the bottom 10 in the country on all four tests in 2011, to scoring within one point of the national average on 3 of the 4 tests in 2013. Essentially, we are now in the 30s instead of the 40s on state rankings, and within sight of the national average. --Tennessee showed extremely strong progress for African American students.  We also accomplished this growth while significantly increasing the participation rates for students with disabilities. This is a historic achievement driven by the hard work of educators, students, parents, school board members, lawmakers and many others. I see my time in office as part of a bigger picture.  It is like being in a relay race.  I took the baton that was handed to me, and it is my job to advance the state and hand the baton off further up the track. The process of raising expectations in Tennessee by raising academic standards started in 2009 under my predecessor Governor Phil Bredesen. It was a bipartisan effort that spanned two administrations, and it changed the conversation in the state. Since taking office, this administration's goal has been for Tennessee to be the fastest improving state in the nation by the year 2015.  While we can say that today, we know there is more work to do.  We aren't satisfied that we're in the 30's and below the national average, but these gains are certainly a remarkable achievement. I am extremely grateful for of all the hard work of our teachers and students.  We're expecting more from them, and they're responding.  I have enjoyed celebrating this great news with them and am thankful for the opportunity to share it with you today. – Bill P.S. I'm always interested in your thoughts on the important issues facing our state – feel free to share them by emailing bill.haslam@tn.gov. FORWARD THIS MESSAGE | VIEW AS WEBPAGE  AUTHORIZED AND PAID FOR by BILL HASLAM FOR GOVERNOR. THE HON. HOWARD H. BAKER, JR., HONORARY CHAIRMAN, SUSAN CAMPBELL, TREASURER. 1910 21ST AVENUE SOUTH, NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE. WWW.BILLHASLAM.COM