Office of the Governor: Tennessee Recognized As National Leader In Improving Education
- Leads States In Raising Educational Standards To Improve Economic Competitiveness

FROM THE OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR

August 08, 2008

WASHINGTON - Governor Phil Bredesen today participated in the release of a national report by Achieve Inc. that heralds the success of Tennessee in raising academic standards to improve economic competitiveness.  

The report, "Out of Many, One: Toward Rigorous Common Core Standards from the Ground Up," recognizes 16 states identified as early adopters for their efforts to align education standards with real-world demands to increase student success. The report was released in a press conference held in the nation's capital.

  "With the input of business leaders and educators across Tennessee, we moved decisively to develop more rigorous standards to better prepare our students and our state for 21st Century success," said Bredesen. "Aligning academic standards to real world demands better positions young people to succeed in both college and career, and is key to our continued economic achievement in an increasingly competitive global marketplace."

  Achieve Inc. launched the American Diploma Project in 2001 to help states prepare all students for success. The Tennessee Diploma Project, the state's work to align academic standards and student testing with post-secondary and workplace expectations, led to the passage of elevated graduation requirements and improved standards by the State Board of Education in January.   

"Educating our young people is our state's single highest priority," said Bredesen. "These college- and career-ready standards, grounded in real world expectations of what high school graduates need to know, are essential stepping stones to Tennessee students possessing the knowledge and skills to be at the top of their chosen professions."

  Bredesen was invited to participate in today's press conference to underscore the critical role of gubernatorial leadership in education reform.  The Tennessee Diploma Project, under Bredesen's leadership, encompasses more than the focus on higher standards. Next steps in Tennessee's comprehensive plan place priority on aligning all levels of the state's curriculum to make sure children learn what they need at each stage of their education to meet the new standards, ensuring students are assessed in realistic and appropriate ways, and making sure we have teachers who are well qualified, well prepared and well supported in our classrooms.  

For more information about the Achieve report released today, visit http://www.achieve.org.