Nashville, TN — Today, the Tennessee Department of Education released the ACT state results and participation rate for the graduating class of 2024. Thanks to efforts by schools and districts to encourage student participation on the ACT, the overall statewide participation rate for the 2024 graduating class was 99 percent. In addition, the state average composite ACT score increased from 19.0 in 2023 to 19.3 in 2024.

Nashville, TN—Today, the Tennessee Department of Education announced significant gains in participation and academic outcomes for the state’s Education Savings Account (ESA) program, reflecting a growing demand for educational choice and flexibility. The release of the 2023-24 Tennessee Education Savings Account (ESA) report highlights the second year of the program in operation.

Nashville, TN – Today, the Tennessee Department of Education released the 2023-24  State Report Card, including the 2023-24 School Letter Grades and highlighting interactive features for families and users to learn more on how districts and schools are performing across the state.

NASHVILLE, TN—This evening at the annual Excellence in Education celebration, the Tennessee Department of Education announced the 2024-25 Principal of the Year and Supervisor of the Year, along with the two 2024-25 Recognizing Inspiring School Employees (RISE) state finalists.

Nashville, TN— Today, the Tennessee Department of Education announced school and district designations for the 2023-24 school year, including Reward Schools, Exemplary Districts, and In Need of Improvement districts. These designations are based on various performance indicators, including student achievement and growth. 

Nashville, TN — During the month of November, the Tennessee Department of Education is celebrating Career Development Month by highlighting the Career and Technical Education (CTE) and Innovative School Models (ISM) programs that provide every student the necessary skills to pursue postsecondary education and high-skill, high-wage, and in-demand careers. Additionally in November, the department will recognize Early Postsecondary Opportunities (EPSO) Week, November 11-15, and National Apprenticeship Week (NAW), November 18-22. Schools, educators, and districts are encouraged to join in highlighting their work by sharing on social media using #EPSOWEEK2024, #NationalApprenticeshipWeek2024, or #NAW2024.

Today, the Tennessee Department of Education announced the 2023-24 statewide graduation rate is 92.1 percent, breaking the previous record achieved in the 2022-23 school year at 90.6 percent.

Nashville, TN—Today, the Tennessee Department of Education highlighted the free ACT retake opportunity for public high school seniors in Tennessee to boost their scores on the ACT college entrance exam.

Nashville, TN—Today, the Tennessee Department of Education, in partnership with Belmont University, announced 57 school leaders selected to the 2024-25 cohort of the Tennessee Rural Principals Network (TRPN), which is a comprehensive approach to improve the preparation, retention, and development of principals in rural communities across Tennessee.

NASHVILLE, TN—Today, the U.S. Department of Education recognized six Tennessee schools as 2024 National Blue Ribbon Schools, which is based on each school’s overall academic performance or progress in closing achievement gaps among student groups.

Nashville, TN—This evening, the Tennessee Department of Education announced Bryan Kerns, an educator from Kingsport City Schools known for his compassion and dedication to his students, as the 2024-25 Tennessee Teacher of the Year at the department’s 2024 Excellence in Education 65th Sapphire Anniversary Celebration.

NASHVILLE, TN— Today, the Tennessee Department of Education announced the finalists for the 2024-25 Tennessee Principal of the Year and Supervisor of the Year awards. The finalists represent each of the state’s Center of Regional Excellence (CORE) regions, with three finalists in each Grand Division: West, Middle, and East.

Chattanooga, TN— As part of the annual Career and Technical Education (CTE) Institute, today, the Tennessee Department of Education announced the 49 work-based learning (WBL) employers named a Tennessee Flagship Industry Partner for their contributions and partnerships with local school districts across the state.

Nashville, TN – Today, the Tennessee Department of Education announced over $2.6 million in Perkins Reserve Grant (PRG) grant funds have been awarded to 55 school districts for the 2024-25 school year to support Career and Technical Education (CTE) across the state.

Nashville, TN—Today, the Tennessee Department of Education announced Jonathan Criswell, Director of Schools for Milan Special School District, will join the department as Chief Program Officer (CPO), effective later this summer. In this role, Criswell will lead the department’s core programming efforts, such as data and evaluation, school improvement, choice, federal programs, and assessment and accountability.