In 2024, Tennessee faces the crucial task of addressing gaps in its education-to-career pipeline to align with the needs of the 21st-century economy.
As we commemorate the 15th anniversary of the founding of the State Collaborative on Reforming Education (SCORE), its dedication to catalyzing transformative changes in Tennessee education for student success remains unwavering.
Emphasizing student-focused priorities and fortified by collaborative partnerships, SCORE continues to advocate for innovative policies ensuring that:
All students receive an outstanding K-12 education in the public system.
Every student attains a valuable credential or postsecondary degree, equipping them for economically independent careers.
Economically disadvantaged, students of color, and those in rural areas achieve improved success, closing gaps relative to their peers.
Over the past 15 years, Tennessee has pioneered student-centered, research-backed education strategies, propelling student success from early education to career readiness. Despite positive trends in K-12 outcomes, a significant number of students still face educational disparities.
SCORE’s 2024 State of Education in Tennessee report calls for a strategic realignment between education and the workforce to equip students for success in the swiftly evolving state economy.
Addressing the Leaky Education-to-Workforce Pipeline:
Research indicates that approximately 60% of Tennessee’s jobs require postsecondary degrees or credentials, holding transformative potential for residents. However, only 26% of students who entered high school in 2012 pursued postsecondary education and earned an award by the summer of 2022.
These figures are notably lower for students of color within the same timeframe. The pipeline from education to the workforce is fractured, failing to support all students adequately. There is an urgent need for clearer pathways, enabling students to achieve economic independence and pursue lives filled with choices.