1. ESEA Directors Institute
August 23, 2016
Dr. Candice McQueen | Commissioner of Education

2. OUR VISION
Districts and schools in Tennessee will exemplify excellence and equity such that all students are equipped with the knowledge and skills to successfully embark upon their chosen path in life.
Commissioner McQueen
This is our unifying vision – success for all students post graduation from high school. This is how Tennessee Succeeds.

3. Commissioner McQueen

4. OUR BELIEFS We believe: Tennessee has laid a solid foundation with
Improved standards
Increased accountability
Aligned assessments  
Tennessee’s focus on all students has been critical to our success 
K-12 must align to postsecondary and workforce needs
Commissioner McQueen

5. GOALS 2 1 3 All students take ACT NEW: ACT required for graduation
The average ACT score in Tennessee will be a 21, allowing more students to earn HOPE scholarships. 1 3
Tennessee will continue rapid improvement and rank in the top half of states on the Report Card.
The majority of Tennessee high
school graduates will earn a certificate, diploma, or degree.
All students take ACT
NEW: ACT required for graduation
NEW: Every student given one ACT retake
NEW: ACT in accountability model
NEW: 50 districts & 100 high schools giving department’s elective ACT prep course
NEW: Read to be Ready campaign
NEW: Kindergarten Entry Inventory
NEW: All PreK & K teachers required to complete portfolio for accountability
NEW: 2nd grade assessment option
NEW: Statewide reading training & coaching
NEW: Standards roll-out
Tennessee Promise
NEW: Reducing fees and increasing training for AP
NEW: Increasing the number of students that dual enroll in TCATs
Ongoing: expanding dual credit options
NEW: Creating foundation to accurately track early postsecondary credit and industry certifications
To ensure our students are ready for postsecondary success, we must meet the following goals.

6. OUR PRIORITIES

7. Building skills in early grades to contribute to future success
Early Foundations & Literacy
Building skills in early grades to contribute to future success
Rolling out Kindergarten Entry Inventory with a small set of pilot districts this fall and a larger pilot in 2017
Creating a new second grade assessment to monitor students’ progress in early grades
Increasing the number of educators enrolled in or completing state reading courses to 3,200 educators
Sharing vision for elementary reading proficiency developed by Early Literacy Council
Partnering with over 80 districts on the Read to be Ready coaching initiative
Awarded 20 Read to be Ready Summer Grants; each region received at least one grant to fund summer instructional programs.
The department joined a consortium of states to develop a Kindergarten Entry Screener that will roll out with a small set of pilot districts this fall, with a larger pilot in 2017.
The Tennessee Early Literacy Council developed a vision for elementary reading proficiency that is now being disseminated across the state.
We are creating a new second grade assessment that will further the ability to monitor students’ progress in early grades.
Over 80 districts have expressed interest in partnering with the department on our Read to be Ready coaching initiative.
More than 3,200 teachers have enrolled in or completed state reading courses this year.
The department awarded 20 Read to be Ready Summer Grants; each region received at least one grant to fund summer instructional programs.

8. Early Foundations & Literacy
Sharing vision for elementary reading proficiency developed by Early Literacy Council

9. Preparing significantly more students for postsecondary completion
High School & Bridge to Postsecondary
Preparing significantly more students for postsecondary completion
Offering department’s elective ACT preparation course in 100 high schools across 50 districts in
Expanding access to early postsecondary courses by
reducing fees and increasing training for Advanced Placement courses,
increasing the number of students that dual enroll in TCATs, and
expanding dual credit options
Creating foundation to accurately track early postsecondary credit and industry certifications through new partnerships with the Tennessee Board of Regents, TCATs, and industry certification groups.
Launched the Career Forward Task Force, composed of business, education, and community leaders, to explore ways to better engage students in their academic preparation, personal development, and workplace readiness. 
About 50 districts encompassing about 100 high schools will offer the department’s elective ACT preparation course in the school year.
The department launched or expanded a series of initiatives to expand access to early postsecondary courses, including ones focused on reducing fees and increasing training for Advanced Placement courses, increasing the number of students that dual enroll in Tennessee Colleges of Applied Technology, and expanding dual credit options.
The department is creating the foundation to more accurately track early postsecondary credit and industry certifications through new partnerships with the Tennessee Board of Regents, TCATs, and industry certification groups.
The department launched the Career Forward Task Force, composed of business, education, and community leaders, to explore ways to better engage students in their academic preparation, personal development, and workplace readiness. 

10. High School & Bridge to Postsecondary
Launched the Career Forward Task Force

11. All Means All
Providing individualized support and opportunities for all students, with a focus on those who are furthest behind
Delivering RTI2 training to high school staff in preparation for RTI2 in high schools in the upcoming school year
Revisiting RTI2 training and requirements in department’s cross-division Tier I working group to highlight best practices and develop new ways to ensure that schools remain focused on solid Tier I/core instruction
Distributed human capital reports highlighting patterns around teacher quality and equitable access to highly effective teachers
Kicked off Student Advisory Council meetings to help the department better understand the challenges facing all types of students as they chart their paths through high school and beyond
The department has been delivering RTI2 training to high school staff and revising RTI2 (Response to Instruction and Intervention) implementation materials in preparation for RTI2 in high schools in the upcoming school year.
The department’s cross-division Tier I working group is revisiting RTI2 training and requirements to highlight best practices and develop new ways to ensure that schools remain focused on solid Tier I/core instruction.
All districts have received human capital reports that highlight patterns around teacher quality within the district and whether different student groups are receiving equitable access to highly effective teachers.
Student Advisory Council meetings, led by department staff, kicked off this spring to help the department better understand the challenges facing all types of students as they chart their paths through high school and beyond.

12. All Means All Student Advisory Council meetings
Led by department staff kicked off this spring
Helped the department better understand the challenges facing all types of students as they progress through high school
The department has been delivering RTI2 training to high school staff and revising RTI2 (Response to Instruction and Intervention) implementation materials in preparation for RTI2 in high schools in the upcoming school year.
The department’s cross-division Tier I working group is revisiting RTI2 training and requirements to highlight best practices and develop new ways to ensure that schools remain focused on solid Tier I/core instruction.
All districts have received human capital reports that highlight patterns around teacher quality within the district and whether different student groups are receiving equitable access to highly effective teachers.
Student Advisory Council meetings, led by department staff, kicked off this spring to help the department better understand the challenges facing all types of students as they chart their paths through high school and beyond.

13. Quotes from students: Student Advisory Council meetings
All Means All
Quotes from students: Student Advisory Council meetings
“[I would like to see] more honors classes and college credit classes. We only have a few. Like you can't even take any as a freshman.”
“Sometimes you as an individual could understand something very well but the majority of the class doesn't. The whole class will be staying on that subject until everyone gets it. That should be addressed more. More personalized.”
“This is kind of out there, but I'd like to see more communications between schools because I feel like at [my school] we're in our own little world.”
“I would have to say that every single teacher in our school has a personal relationship with at least one student in their group.  Every teacher has at least somebody that they will help out with something.”
The department has been delivering RTI2 training to high school staff and revising RTI2 (Response to Instruction and Intervention) implementation materials in preparation for RTI2 in high schools in the upcoming school year.
The department’s cross-division Tier I working group is revisiting RTI2 training and requirements to highlight best practices and develop new ways to ensure that schools remain focused on solid Tier I/core instruction.
All districts have received human capital reports that highlight patterns around teacher quality within the district and whether different student groups are receiving equitable access to highly effective teachers.
Student Advisory Council meetings, led by department staff, kicked off this spring to help the department better understand the challenges facing all types of students as they chart their paths through high school and beyond.

14. Educator Support
Supporting the preparation and development of an exceptional educator workforce
Provided additional flexibility for teacher evaluation composite
Expanding portfolio assessment options to more districts and more subject areas, including pre-K and kindergarten teachers
Testing incentive programs that differentiate salaries, including the Tennessee Teacher Leader Network, throughout the state
Pairing teachers in an increasing number of schools through the Instructional Partnership Initiative to provide data-based opportunities for personalized professional learning
Launched the Governor’s Academy for School Leadership for 24 assistant principals and the Transformational Leadership Council to guide the state’s direction across multiple leadership initiatives.
Educators have additional flexibility for their evaluation composite this year, only having to include data from if it benefits their overall score.
Portfolio assessment options are expanding to more districts and more subject areas, including pre-K and kindergarten teachers.
A variety of incentive programs that differentiate salaries, including the Tennessee Teacher Leader Network, are being tested throughout the state.
The Instructional Partnership Initiative is being rolled out to an increasing number of schools, pairing teachers to provide data-based opportunities for personalized professional learning and leverage in-school expertise. (add document with research/data on IPI)
24 assistant principals are participating in the inaugural Governor’s Academy for School Leadership. In addition, the department has launched the Transformational Leadership Council to guide the state’s direction across multiple leadership initiatives.

15. Educator Support
In 2014–15, an expanded Instructional Partnership Initiative pilot welcomed 93 schools across the state. Below are findings comparing IPI schools to non-IPI schools:
Students in IPI schools scored significantly higher on TCAP than students in non-IPI schools.
Teachers improved their TVAAS scores, were more likely to feel supported by school leadership and more likely to view evaluations as fair and focused on improving their practice.
For teachers with low evaluation scores, participating in a partnership increased their students' TCAP scores by 12 points relative to those of similar teachers in non-IPI schools
Administrators in IPI schools were more likely to feel appreciated for their job than those in non-IPI schools.
Schools in IPI saw improvements to school culture and increases in morale.

16. Educator Support
Supporting the preparation and development of an exceptional educator workforce
Provided additional flexibility for teacher evaluation composite
Expanding portfolio assessment options to more districts and more subject areas, including pre-K and kindergarten teachers
Testing incentive programs that differentiate salaries, including the Tennessee Teacher Leader Network, throughout the state
Pairing teachers in an increasing number of schools through the Instructional Partnership Initiative to provide data-based opportunities for personalized professional learning
Launched the Governor’s Academy for School Leadership for 24 assistant principals and the Transformational Leadership Council to guide the state’s direction across multiple leadership initiatives.
Educators have additional flexibility for their evaluation composite this year, only having to include data from if it benefits their overall score.
Portfolio assessment options are expanding to more districts and more subject areas, including pre-K and kindergarten teachers.
A variety of incentive programs that differentiate salaries, including the Tennessee Teacher Leader Network, are being tested throughout the state.
The Instructional Partnership Initiative is being rolled out to an increasing number of schools, pairing teachers to provide data-based opportunities for personalized professional learning and leverage in-school expertise. (add document with research/data on IPI)
24 assistant principals are participating in the inaugural Governor’s Academy for School Leadership. In addition, the department has launched the Transformational Leadership Council to guide the state’s direction across multiple leadership initiatives.

17. Educator Support
24 assistant principals are participating in the inaugural Governor’s Academy for School Leadership.
In addition, the department has launched the Transformational Leadership Council to guide the state’s direction across multiple leadership initiatives.

18. District Empowerment
Providing districts with the tools and autonomy they need to make the best decisions for students
Added chronic absenteeism and teacher equity data, and district BEP funding to ePlan to better supports districts’ planning and funding processes
Launched the $5 laptop program, allowing districts to provide students with state-of-the-art laptops for a low cost
Working with 23 districts to offer a pilot for Algebra I and Integrated Math I, which use principles of personalized learning and blended learning
Launched first district networked improvement communities (NICs) in Upper Cumberland and East Tennessee, with seven districts taking part
Focus of NICs is on innovation and improvement in early literacy
ePlan now better supports districts’ planning and funding processes. The planning module now includes chronic absenteeism and teacher equity data, and district BEP funding has also been integrated into ePlan.
The department has launched the $5 laptop program, allowing districts to provide students with state-of-the-art laptops for a low cost.
The department is working with 23 districts to offer a new pilot for Algebra I and Integrated Math I, which is uses the principles of personalized learning and blended learning environments to create opportunities for all students.
The first district networked improvement community kicked off in the Upper Cumberland and East Tennessee regions, with seven districts taking part in a new collaboration aimed at spurring innovation and improvement in early literacy.

19. District Empowerment
Kicked off the first district networked improvement community
Upper Cumberland and East Tennessee regions, with seven districts taking part in new collaboration
Aimed at spurring innovation and improvement in early literacy

20. Assessment Update

21. Partnership with Questar
Based in Apple Valley, Minnesota and founded in 1976
History of success with other states
Mississippi, New York, Indiana, Missouri
Proven to work on developing assessments quickly and at scale
Online platform is user-friendly and continuously improving
Focus on high-quality scoring that provides useful, timely feedback
History of including teachers in item development

22. Assessment Changes
Students will spend about 30% less time taking state tests
Single testing window towards the end of the school year
Part I eliminated for all TCAP tests
Partnership with vendor to ensure scores are timely and meaningful to students, parents, and educators
Students will take the test in a series of shorter subparts
Social Studies test in grades 3-8 will be a field test
Computer-based testing will be phased in over the next three years
We are committed to a computer-based assessment in the long-term.
Computer-based testing will be phased in over the next three years.
All grade 3-8 testing will be paper/pencil for
Optional online testing for HS based on successful proof points in early fall 2016
The preparation that the state, districts, and schools have taken over this past year to get ready will both support this transition and, most importantly, our students’ education.

23. Overview: ESSA in Tennessee

24. Stakeholder Feedback

25. ESSA State Plan - Overarching Goal
To develop a Tennessee-specific ESSA state plan, aligned with the department’s strategic plan and informed by meaningful consultation with stakeholder groups.
Eve Carney

26. Timeline for Developing TN’s ESSA Plan
Kick- off
Stakeholder Input
Writing the Plan
Stakeholder Feedback
Approving the Plan
May 2016
June–Sept. 2016
Sept.–Nov.
2016
Dec. 2016– Jan. 2017
Feb.–March. 2017
Stakeholders will include directors of schools, principals, educators, parents and students, legislators, governor’s office, state board of education, school board members, CORE offices, community organizations, and advocacy groups.

27. ESSA State Plan Working Groups
Six working groups:
Accountability
Standards and Assessment
English Learners
Educator Support and Effectiveness
Student Support
School Improvement
Working groups are comprised of individuals who are
Geographically diverse
Represent multiple stakeholder groups
Representative of both policy and practitioner points of view
The state’s ESSA plan must be developed with input from stakeholders. Six primary working groups have been established to address key plan requirements. The working groups will meet twice in-person and hold other meetings as needed. In addition to the diverse membership of these six working group, input will be collected from other advisory groups, task forces, committees, and through the online feedback form. The online form is live through August 15, and provides the opportunity for public comment outside of the designated groups.
What groups have met already?

28. Other Opportunities for Input
ESSA working lunch on Thursday
Received about 300 comments through online feedback form
Many of the current task forces and advisory committees will be hosting input/feedback sessions:
Career Forward Task Force
Teacher Advisory Council
Governor’s Teachers Cabinet
SWD Advisory Council
CPM Advisory Committee
Personalized Learning Task Force
Assessment Task Force 2.0
TSBA Regional Meetings
TOSS
Urban League
StudentsFirst
SCORE
TEA and PET
TASL and TLA