Academic Standards

The Tennessee Academic Standards provide a common set of expectations for what students will know and be able to do at the end of a grade for each subject area. Our state’s standards are rooted in the knowledge and skills students need to succeed in their postsecondary studies and/or careers.

The State Board of Education is charged with adopting the Tennessee Academic Standards. At minimum, standards are reviewed every eight years for all subjects. To learn more about the standards review process for all subjects, leave feedback on the revised standards, or submit questions please visit the state board’s standards review webpage.

Core SubjectsStandards Proposed to State Board for Final ReadNew Standards Implemented in ClassroomsNew Assessment Aligned with New Standards
MathFebruary 20212023-242023-24
ScienceOctober 20222025-262025-26
Social StudiesFebruary 20242027-282027-28
English Language ArtsFebruary 20262029-302029-30

While academic standards establish desired learning outcomes, high-quality materials provide instructional programming designed to help students reach these outcomes. Districts should locally establish curricular programs that support student mastery of the Tennessee Academic Standards while reflecting unique community values. Instructional practices should provide each student with the best opportunity to meet these standards by supporting the learning needs of each student. For more information about materials adoptions, visit the Textbook and Instructional Materials Quality Commission website.