2018 Gubernatorial Race
IN REFLECTING ON THE LAST SEVEN AND A HALF
YEARS , TENNESSEE HAS SEEN UNPRECEDENTED economic strength , displayed conservative fiscal leadership and become a national model in education . We did this together by raising expectations and truly believing we could compete . from Governor
Bill Haslam
Our K-12 students are the fastest improving in achievement since 2011 according to the National Assessment for Educational Progress ( NAEP ), known as the Nation ’ s Report Card . This did not simply happen by accident ; we raised the bar for what is possible for our students and committed to increased funding paired with higher standards and heightened accountability . We also created a momentum for change in education across the country . In the spring of 2007 , the U . S . Chamber of Commerce released an education report card for all states . Tennessee received an “ F ” in the category of Truth in Advertising when comparing proficiency on Tennessee assessments to the National Assessment of Education Progress ( NAEP ) and an “ F ” in the category of Postsecondary and Workforce Readiness .
Building upon much of the work of the prior administration , we raised our state standards in K-12 and as a result we have a better way to measure how our students are doing through an aligned , more rigorous assessment . We also tied our assessment of students to teachers ’ evaluations and the evaluations to tenure so teachers can receive the professional support they might need to improve .
Coupled with our higher standards , TENNESSEE STUDENTS HAVE POSTED THE HIGHEST GRADUATION RATES IN STATE HISTORY , and with increased accountability and no tax increase , we have ADDED MORE THAN $ 1.3 BILLION TO K-12 EDUCATION with nearly $ 450 MILLION OF THAT APPROPRIATED FOR TEACHER SALARIES .
In addition to raised expectations at the K-12 level , we launched the Drive to 55 in 2013 to increase the number of Tennesseans with a postsecondary degree or credential to 55 percent by 2025 . To support that goal , we created the Tennessee Promise and Tennessee Reconnect programs , which made Tennessee the first state in the nation to offer two years of postsecondary education – for high school graduates and adults who have not yet obtained a degree – free of tuition and mandatory fees . Since Tennessee Promise began , firsttime freshmen enrollment has grown by 13 percent statewide , including a 30 percent growth at community colleges . New data even shows us that Tennessee Promise students are more likely to succeed in college than their peers outside of the program . The Drive to 55 has been a game-changer in Tennessee and has served as a catalyst for similar college access programs across the country that will dramatically increase opportunities for students .
In 2015 , we created the Governor ’ s Teacher Cabinet after visiting schools across the state to meet with and hear from teachers . Representing districts from all three grand divisions , these teachers travel to the Capitol once a quarter to share their expertise in order to help the state improve educator communication and collaboration . Between the meetings , I visit the teachers in their districts to continue learning from them and their school leaders , administrators and students .
As a state , Tennessee has made remarkable strides in education . The dedication of educators , elected officials , local communities , and many more is paying off in dividends for Tennessee ’ s students and for our state . In order for our state ’ s education successes to continue , the next governor must continue to make education a priority and build upon the successful work of prior administrations . Our state ’ s economy , workforce and future generations depend upon it .