April 10, 2018
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
April 10, 2018
CONTACT: Ashley Elizabeth Graham
615-983-6215 press@tnsuccess.org
Tennesseans for Student Success Calls for Renewed Commitment
NASHVILLE – Tennesseans for Student Success released the following statement today calling for a renewed commitment to Tennessee’s student-centered education policies.
From President and CEO Adam Lister:
“Today’s National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) results show Tennessee’s students, overall, held ground gained in recent years. In national rankings, they rose to 34th in 4th Grade Reading and 35th in 8th Grade Math and fell to 34th in 4th Grade Math and 38th in 8th Grade Reading. The reforms that led to being named the fastest improving state in the nation in education on the last two NAEP reports remain a necessary and critical part of the ongoing work for student success. While today’s report does not show another dramatic rise in achievement, it does demonstrate sustainable, ongoing, and repeatable growth remains possible for every Tennessee classroom.
“The policies that drove Tennessee to be named the fastest improving state in the nation in education on the last two NAEP reports remain a necessary and integral part of the ongoing work for student success. Students across the state continue to demonstrate an ability to rise to a challenge and have, year-over-year, realized greater levels of achievement in the classroom when compared to the students that came before them. This announcement then gives further evidence for not only continuing these reforms – higher academic standards, an assessment aligned to those standards, accountability for everyone in the classroom, and more choices in public education – but for demanding that the next Governor and General Assembly push to accelerate the work driving student gains.
“Administered over 18 months ago, the latest NAEP assessment results are another reminder about the importance of intentionality and focus on improving student achievement, growth, and success. As our students will continue to compete for jobs, university acceptance, and placement in the Armed Forces with students from across the country, we are proud they continue to perform well when measured against other states, but there is still work to be done. We know our students can do better. With a continued focus on championing and aggressively supporting student achievement, we know we can do better for them.”
For more information about the policies and priorities championed by Tennesseans for Student Success, visit www.tnsuccess.org.