SCORE report says focus more on state teachers

Teacher well-being, literacy and college and career readiness.

Those are just a few of the five priorities the State Collaborative for Reforming Education, or SCORE, wants Tennessee to focus on in the coming year to improve state education.

Executive chairwoman Jamie Woodson said Wednesday the group asked teachers and parents across the state what matters most to them and what would take Tennessee’s education forward.

“They all want to know that students are ready for the future, ready for college or ready to go into the workforce,” she said. “What we’ve pulled together are the skills we think will take them there.”

The report released Wednesday listed five priorities:

› Make Tennessee the best state to live, work and grow as a teacher.

› Support every student to become a strong reader and writer.

› Develop school leaders who are ready to lead people and learning.

› Ensure high school is the on-ramp to postsecondary studies and jobs.

› Provide Tennessee students with the greatest needs with a high-quality education.

This year’s report priorities are broader than ones from years past, such as suggestions for elevating teacher voice, improving teacher training and increasing academic standards statewide.

SCORE President David Mansouri said this report was designed specifically after gathering the voices of Tennesseans during a critical time in state politics with a slew of state legislative races, a U.S. Senate race and a gubernatorial race underway.

“This is absolutely about framing the conversation,” he said.

The priorities in this most recent report are ones Education Commissioner Candice McQueen and her administration have focused on in recent years.

For instance, the state is trying to put a greater focus on student need through the Every Student Succeeds law, approved by the federal government this year.

McQueen has also placed a stronger emphasis on literacy, especially