Tennessee Living

By now, you may have heard about the State Collaborative on Reforming Education, known as Tennessee SCORE, chaired by former U.S. Senator Bill Frist. But what you may not know is how this citizen-led, nonpartisan program’s success relies on the participation of people throughout Tennessee, no matter how education impacts you.

“This initiative brings together people from all across the state, all 95 counties, to look at best practices,” Frist explains. “We’re going to shine a light on what works, celebrate it and take it across Tennessee.”

The effort aims to develop an environment to prepare students for a career or college when they graduate from high school, Frist says. “The world is changing, but our schools are not really changing at all,” he says. “It didn’t used to be that somebody would have to be prepared for 10 to 12 different jobs by the time they’re 38.”

Frist notes Tennessee’s ranking of 41st in national student achievement as a motive for SCORE, which is based on successful programs in neighboring states.

“I know it’s a solvable problem,” Frist says, citing the similar initiatives that have improved other states’ education systems.

As a one-year, planned-out discussion, Tennessee SCORE has three avenues to learn about what’s working to improve education across the state. A steering committee will oversee research and ultimately develop a strategic plan. Several project teams focusing on specific ideas, such as technology or school leadership, are hosting town hall meetings throughout the state to solicit ideas. But at the heart of the education initiative is a call-to-action campaign, in which anyone can contribute to the statewide conversation on how to improve the state’s educational system.

“We need to have a grassroots movement from thousands of Tennesseans,” Frist says. “They don’t need to say, ‘Yes, it’s important.’ They need to say, ‘Yes, it’s important, and I’m going to do something about it.’”

The easiest way to get involved is to visit www.tennesseescore.org, a user-friendly Web site designed for Tennesseans to share their thoughts on the state’s educational system.

The site’s Promising Practices page gives parents the opportunity to explain programs that are working – or not working – for their children. The site also displays the upcoming town hall meetings, and anyone can play a role in bringing one to their community.

“If there’s not going to be a town meeting in a particular area, I encourage people to contact us,” Frist says. He says to let them know you want to hold a town meeting at your school and will invite parents, students, teachers and the business community to ask them what they think is working and not working. SCORE representatives will attend the meeting, record what’s discussed and share what’s working with other communities.

“We want to build on the assets that we already have in the state,” Frist says. “That’s why building this coalition and this partnership is so important.”

Updated Oct. 23, 2009: Read SCORE’s final entitled “A Roadmap to Success: A Plan to Make Tennessee Schools #1 in the Southeast Within Five Years.”

Get Involved

Parent or grandparent, business leader or community member, Frist offers several ways for you to participate:

• Spend an hour a night helping your child with their homework.

• Attend a town meeting to discuss what’s working or not working.

• Write a letter to a local newspaper or go on a local radio show to talk about the importance of education.

• Sign up at www.tennesseescore.org to join the statewide conversation.

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Magazine:
Tennessee Home & Farm, Fall 2010 Edition Edition

Headline:
Lessons To Learn

Summary:
Tennessee scores big with a new education initiative

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