LETTER FROM
SENATOR
BILL FRIST
AND JAMIE
WOODSON
January 27, 2016
Over the last few years, educators, business leaders,
policymakers, and community members have come
together around the belief that with common
goals and an unyielding focus on what is best for
students, we can improve the future for our children,
the opportunities for our citizens, and the overall
success of our state. As we celebrate the tremendous
progress Tennessee has made in education, it is also
important to look back to identify the work that has
led to these positive outcomes and look ahead to
determine opportunities for continued growth.
In 2013, Tennessee was the fastest improving
state on the National Assessment of Educational
Progress (NAEP), and the 2015 results confirm that
the 2013 gains were real and lasting. In the last year,
Tennessee students continued to rise in the rankings
in fourth- and eighth-grade math and eigth-grade
reading scores. For the first time ever, students
reached the top 25 in the nation in fourth-grade
math. For the fifth consecutive year, Tennessee
students also demonstrated strong academic growth
on the Tennessee Comprehensive Assessment
Program, especially in math and science. Since 2011,
the percentage of students who are proficient or
advanced has increased in every tested subject.
3