Conexión Américas Education Summit Dr. Candice McQueen, Commissioner of Education Equity and Excellence in Tennessee

Equity in Tennessee Current Status

Where are we now? Over the past several years, we have seen steady gains in math performance on TCAP; however, English language arts performance has remained stagnant or declined. Less than half of all students in grades 3-8 are proficient or above in reading on the TCAP assessment. Specifically, on TCAP, 43% of third graders are proficient in reading. On NAEP, 33% of fourth graders are proficient in reading.

What else do we know? Historically underserved subgroups are struggling even more; only one-third of economically disadvantaged students and 11 percent of students with disabilities are proficient or above in reading on the TCAP assessment. Less than 3 percent of students classified as Below Basic in third grade reading achieve proficiency by the end of fifth grade. National data show that children who are not reading proficiently by third grade are four times less likely than their peers to graduate high school and go on to postsecondary.

Grades 3-8 Reading Language Arts Percent of students who are proficient or advanced Achievement Gaps

Teacher Distribution Across the state we have fewer highly effective teachers in 4-8 ELA than in math. Below basic students are assigned to highly effective teachers less often than advanced students. Students in our historically underserved subgroups are typically assigned to highly effective teachers less often than their non-subgroup counterparts. 7

Chronic Absenteeism Efforts to catch up historically underserved students are hindered by high rates of chronic absenteeism. In January, the department released a report on chronic absenteeism in early grades which found: –Economically disadvantaged students are three times more likely to be chronically absent. –Likewise, students with disabilities and black students are more likely to be chronically absent.

Chronic Absenteeism BlackWhiteHispanic Asian EDNon-ED SWDNon-SWD Percent of Third Graders Who Were Chronically Absent in ED = Economically Disadvantaged SWD = Students with Disabilities

Equity in Tennessee Tennessee Succeeds Priorities & Strategies

OUR PRIORITIES

Current State Department Efforts Read to be Ready Response to Instruction and Intervention (RTI 2 ) New Focus on Chronic Absenteeism and Effective Teacher Gaps Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) Achievement School District (ASD) and I-Zone Support Improved Funding and Assessments

Read to be Ready We launched a statewide literacy campaign this month to raise reading proficiency across Tennessee. Goal: 75 percent of third graders reading on grade level by 2025.

Chapter 1: Early literacy matters Early language and literacy development must begin at birth because of its direct impact on later success in reading and in life. Chapter 2: But it’s never too late With quality resources and support, even those who are not reading on grade level by third grade can catch up. Chapter 3: Reading is more than just “sounding out” words Reading is thinking deeply about a text’s meaning and how it builds knowledge of the world around us. Chapter 4: Teacher knowledge and practice are critical Educators must have a deep understanding of the art and science of literacy instruction in order to develop lifelong readers. Chapter 5: It takes a community We each hold a piece of the puzzle and we must do our part to improve literacy in Tennessee. Read to be Ready

Department’s Reading Efforts 1.Statewide Model of Literacy Coaching –Launch a literacy coach initiative with regional literacy coaches supporting districts and schools with grades PreK-3. 2.Improve Literacy Instruction in Educator Preparation Programs –Support deeper literacy instruction through improved educator preparation and licensure 3.Kindergarten Entry Screener –Create a Tennessee-specific kindergarten entry screener for all programs with explicit benchmarks related to early literacy 4.Networked Improvement Communities –Bring districts together to form a collaborative network within two CORE regions to find solutions to third grade reading proficiency 5.Tennessee Education Research Alliance (TERA) –Create a partnership with Vanderbilt to conduct research on Tennessee’s priorities, including early reading

Response to Instruction & Intervention

Chronic Absenteeism & Teacher Equity Just released new reports on both topics and started statewide discussions. Highlight additional data for accountability on district report card and e-plan Require district and school level plans for chronically absent students and for teacher equity gaps Increase support through training and tools

Achievement School District & I-Zones The ASD is statewide school district created to improve Priority Schools across TN, where only four percent of students are on track for college. ASD is made up of 29 schools in and will grow to 33 schools in State supports I-Zones through funding and monitoring improvement.

Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) No Child Left Behind (NCLB), the previous version of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act that had been up for reauthorization since 2007, has now been replaced with ESSA. States are required to have plans in place and fully implemented by All state waivers expire on July 31, Accountability Measure proficiency on annual assessments Graduation rates English language proficiency State Testing Reading & Math: 3-8 and once in HS Science: three times between grades % participation Standards Maintain college ready academic standards State Interventions Lowest performing 5% Poor graduation rates Achievement gaps

ESSA (cont.) We will continue the work we have done to raise standards, create aligned assessments, develop state report cards, and intervene in our lowest performing schools. Our system accountability system incorporates most of the required factors, with the exception of a measure of school quality and student success, which we will work with stakeholders to define. State-designed interim and long-term goals must now be include English language proficiency, which we will work to determine.

Improved Funding and Assessments Funding Almost $105 million for teacher salaries – the 2 nd largest increase in the history of the BEP and the largest without a tax increase Nearly $30 million for the 12 th month of insurance $15 million for technology $14 million for ELL teachers/translators $5 million for special education Assessments TNReady KES 2 nd Grade Assessment District Option 21

Equity in Tennessee Teaching Force 22

National Diversity of Teachers and Students

Tennessee Diversity of Teachers & Students

Questions?