Month in Education

MAY 2026

The release of the 2026 Education Scorecard offers the latest evidence that Tennessee’s approach is working. The national report from researchers at Stanford, Harvard, and Dartmouth recognizes Tennessee as a model for learning recovery, ranking the state second in student growth in math and fourth in reading growth between 2022 and 2025. Nearly two decades ago, Tennessee ranked near the bottom nationally in overall student achievement. Today, the state is #1 in the South and 17th in the nation across fourth- and eighth-grade math and reading. Our latest What Matters post highlights what these gains mean for Tennessee and why this moment matters for students, educators, and communities across the state.

More than 350 leaders from across Tennessee and the U.S. recently came together at the 2026 Future Forward Summit to explore how Tennessee can continue building stronger and better connected pathways from education to in-demand careers that lead to economic independence for students. Throughout the summit, education, industry, workforce, and policy leaders discussed the urgency of better aligning systems so that more students can access meaningful opportunities after high school and postsecondary education. Conversations focused on scaling what works, strengthening education-employer partnerships, prioritizing impact credentials, and building more innovative and accelerated pathways. If you missed the summit or want to revisit key insights, we encourage you to use our collection of summit resources to deepen your learning, support your work, and help you advance education-to-career pathways in your own community.

Dramatic improvements in the math performance of students in the Memphis charter sector show what is possible when schools align around high-quality materials, strong instruction, and continuous improvement. In 2024-25, the Memphis charter sector earned TVAAS level 4’s and 5’s — a higher academic growth rate than its noncharter district and state peers. This growth is likely due in part to the efforts of instructional coaches and math teachers from eight Memphis charter networks to form the Memphis School Leader Collaborative (MSLC), which in turn established the Teach Like A Champion (TLAC) Memphis math cohort. With the support of local education organizations, the MSLC launched a citywide collaborative focused on best practices for planning and delivering high-quality math instruction. Their story offers lessons worth replicating.

As Tennessee students prepare for what comes next after graduation, organizations across the state are continuing to build innovative pathways that connect education to economic opportunity. Through the Future Forward Innovation Grant, SCORE is supporting partnerships that are designing, implementing, and scaling pathways aligned to in-demand careers. Launched in 2025, in its first year the grant supported cross-sector partnerships working on accelerated pathways in industries as varied as healthcare, education, data analytics, and artificial intelligence (AI). In addition to the funding, recipients participate in a cohort-based fellowship and receive strategic support and mentorship to help strengthen and advance their work. As we prepare to welcome a new cohort, we’re proud of the work our seven inaugural grant recipients have already accomplished and excited to see how they continue advancing the work and making a long-lasting impact in their local communities. The 2026 grant applications are under review for our second cohort to be announced later this summer. Learn more about the grant and its impact through this video featuring our inaugural grant recipients, whose work we are proud showcase.

David Mansouri, SCORE’s president and CEO, has been appointed by Tennessee House Speaker Cameron Sexton to serve on the new state oversight board for Memphis-Shelby County Schools (MSCS), the state’s largest district. Alongside eight other members, David will bring SCORE’s student-centered, research-backed, and solutions-oriented lens to the work, as well as a clear focus on what matters most: improved outcomes for Memphis students. Learn more about the board and its members in this Chalkbeat Tennessee article.

Please join us in recognizing Courtney Bell, our vice president of research and innovation, on 10 years of leadership, service, and impact at SCORE. Courtney has led work focused on turning research into action — supporting schools, educators, and communities in implementing practices that help all students succeed. From literacy and tutoring to strategic staffing, instructional coherence, and stronger pathways for students, her work has shaped important conversations and helped influence real change for students. Thank you for 10 amazing years, Courtney!

Courtney Bell

We’re also excited to announce the addition of three new graduate fellows to support SCORE’s work while immersing themselves in education policy and the Tennessee advocacy landscape. Nina Brown previously worked in college access at Metro Nashville Public Schools. Prior to joining SCORE, Zoe Lehmann worked as a research assistant focused on transforming education in the St. Louis metropolitan area. Sarah Robinson previously taught AP social studies in Nashville. Nina, Zoe, and Sarah are all students at Vanderbilt University pursuing a master’s of public policy in education policy.

Nina Brown

Zoe Lehmann

Sarah Robinson

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

BY THE NUMBERS

Tennessee ranked second in the nation in math growth between 2022 and 2025, according to the Education Scorecard. The average Tennessee student improved by nearly half a grade level, making Tennessee the highest-growth state (excluding the District of Columbia). A strong foundation in math is critical to student success, determining whether they are prepared for advanced coursework, postsecondary education, high-demand careers, and long-term economic independence. At a time when many states are still working to regain lost ground, Tennessee is not just catching up but accelerating.

RECOMMENDED READING

FOLLOW US!

Be sure to follow us on Instagram, Facebook, X, and LinkedIn. You'll also find a wealth of content on our YouTube channel. See links below!