Tennessee SCORE

It is with deep sadness that we share that our SCORE team member Peter Tang passed away on December 25. Peter had been fighting sarcoma since an initial diagnosis in 2017, and a more recent recurrence over the last year changed the course of Peter’s fight with cancer. This news is heartbreaking for our team and the many partners who have had the opportunity to work with Peter. Peter was an integral part of our team over his nearly 10 years at SCORE, and he had a tremendous impact on so many parts of our work – from our engagement with educators to Tennessee’s groundbreaking K-12 funding reforms to the thoughtful and actionable research we commissioned and led. Peter led with humility, a fierce focus on what was good for students, and curiosity about how education could be improved in our country. We invite you to join us in celebrating Peter's life by sharing a memory of him on an online memorial board that will be shared with his family once populated. You can find that memorial board and more about Peter's impact here: https://lnkd.in/e5GpHM63 Peter requested that anyone who would like to donate to a cause on his behalf do so to the following two organizations: Gilda's Club Middle Tennessee: https://lnkd.in/edjrNVf3 SARC-Sarcoma Alliance for Research through Collaboration: https://lnkd.in/eThcHUqg

As we head into 2025, we are grateful for the incredible community of stakeholders whose work inspires us to continue to pursue success for every Tennessee student. Happy New Year!

During this season of giving, the SCORE team wishes you a warm and joyful holiday season. By partnering together, we’re able to give Tennessee students the gift of greater opportunity as they journey through their educational experience on the way to a fulfilling life.

From collaborations with partners to celebrating leaders and educators, SCORE’s 15th year has marked a milestone in supporting student success. As we seek to learn more about what can make Tennessee great and improve our work, we look forward to engaging across the state in 2025 in our ongoing advocacy for Tennessee students.

What’s in our latest newsletter? • Video and recap of SCORE’s State of Education event • Register for our SCORE Institute on AI & education: Jan. 13 • Save your seat for the Future Forward Summit: Feb. 13 • Digital communications and government relations intern positions open at SCORE! Read it here: https://lnkd.in/eG_5YsTb Subscribe here: https://lnkd.in/ePShCpXp

Tennessee teachers agree that the evaluation system is helpful, but gaps remain in teacher support. Read these and other key takeaways highlighted in our latest Perspectives blog, which recaps the annual Tennessee Educator Survey conducted by the Tennessee Education Research Alliance and the Tennessee Department of Education. https://lnkd.in/gZU-YwSW

Join us for a virtual SCORE Institute, AI’s Impact on Education and Career Pathways, focused on how to support student success as generative artificial intelligence becomes part of the K-12, postsecondary, and workforce continuum. We’ll welcome a host of Tennessee leaders — including Dr. Lynne Parker, Associate Vice Chancellor Emerita at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville — who will offer actionable insights from AI, education, and industry perspectives. Whether you’re already following AI in education trends or just beginning to be curious, we invite you to join us. https://lnkd.in/ed-DXJKT

A new report from The Sycamore Institute outlines the struggles students face to complete postsecondary education — even when they’re receiving financial aid. Living costs, food insecurity, and expenses like books are barriers to credential completion. https://lnkd.in/e5fin95m Also in the report: Return on investment varies by degree and a student's individual circumstances. As noted in a recent SCORE report, we can do more to ensure that students know whether the credentials they earn can pay off in wages & career opportunities. Read that report here: https://lnkd.in/eHdq2KVp

Registration is open for the Future Forward Summit on Feb. 13. We’re eager to convene stakeholders who are invested in giving Tennessee students greater access to clear pathways from education to career. Explore our current list of speakers; we’ll announce more voices to this important discussion in the coming days/weeks. RSVP today! https://lnkd.in/emv7viXe 

We're looking for a creative, strategic thinker and digital storyteller with a strong understanding of social media trends, email marketing, and website management to serve as SCORE's Digital Communications Manager. Does that describe you or someone you know? Learn more and apply today! https://lnkd.in/e8rTUryM