Policy Priorities
Education Priorities
Building Tennessee’s long-term economic prosperity for all begins by ensuring that our state’s public education systems are equipping the next generation of Tennesseans with the foundational skills they need in order to realize their full potential in adulthood. Not every student needs to go to college, but in order to be prepared for success in today’s globally-competitive workforce and to achieve the financial independence which provides for families, builds communities and fuels our economy, every Tennessee learner needs quality post-high-school training.
To ensure that our learners are prepared for post-secondary training and careers, our Tennessee business leaders believe that state education policy must move urgently to support improved student proficiency in the foundational subject areas which provide the basis for advanced skill development by our state’s future workforce: mathematics, English Language Arts, and science.
Improve Math Proficiency
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Student proficiency in math is a critical support for STEM exploration in the elementary grades, and for STEM attainment in & after high school.
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Math proficiency also supports student develop-ment of logic, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills - all of which have high value and are in increasing demand in our state’s workforce.
Improve English Proficiency
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Especially in the earliest grades, proficiency in English Language Arts is a foundation for student attainment in math, science and social studies.
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English Language Arts proficiency also supports the development of communication, critical thinking and other skills which support productivity and safety in the workforce - as well as lifelong learning for Tennesseans.
Improve Science Proficiency
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Student proficiency in science and STEM is critical to the development of Tennessee’s future workforce for many key industries in our state.
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Improving student attainment in science not only supports longstanding key Tennessee industries like manufacturing and health sciences, but also emerging ones like A.I, nuclear and quantum.