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Today, Victor Evans, Executive Director for TennesseeCAN, released the following statement in response to the release of NAEP, the National Assessment of Educational Progress:
“Ten years ago, Tennessee set a worthy and ambitious goal to be more honest about education in our state and to improve academic growth and outcomes for our students. The results of the 2019 Nation’s Report Card show that while many states’ scores declined, Tennessee students held steady across the board, and even made important gains in 4th grade math proficiency.
This snapshot into our schools shows that Tennessee’s strong, student-centered education policies have put us on the right track. But despite a decade of progress, egregious achievement gaps persist for Tennessee’s most vulnerable students. We can and should do better.
Policymakers must now build on core reforms with urgent and increased innovation. That means equipping teachers with high-quality materials that are aligned to our rigorous state standards, equitably committing resources and funding based on student need, and ensuring every student has access to great teachers and schools regardless of their zip code or family income.
Students and teachers are working hard and are on the right track, but we must all move with a renewed sense of urgency to do better for students.”