Program Evaluation & Research
Tennessee Invests in Programs That Work
The Office of Evidence and Impact helps Tennessee invest in programs that actually work. We use research and program evaluations to help state leaders make informed decisions. We also help set research priorities, ensure high research standards, and clearly report progress with the goal of improving the lives of Tennesseans, their families, and their communities.
Tennessee’s Learning Agenda is a five-year strategic roadmap identifying priority research questions across education, workforce, rural development, family supports, and government effectiveness. The Learning Agenda coordinates evidence building across agencies and catalyzes research partnerships.
Priority Areas
- Education Quality & Access — Assessing strategies for literacy, school effectiveness, and workforce preparation
- Workforce Development & Employment — Identifying the most effective pathways to employment, career training, and economic opportunity
- Rural Development & Conservation — Promoting economic prosperity, infrastructure investment, and community resilience in rural Tennessee
- Strong Families & Communities — Improving family supports, child welfare, housing, and community well-being
- Government Effectiveness & Efficiency — Enhancing performance management, data integration, and service delivery improvement
These guidelines provide agencies and researchers with a shared framework for generating credible program evaluations that are rigorous, relevant, and transparent.
For Researchers & External Partners
Share research findings, explore partnership opportunities, and contribute to answering Learning Agenda questions.
For State Agencies
Access evaluation design consultation, funding opportunities, technical assistance, and resources for building high-quality program evidence.
For Practitioners & Community Organizations
Contribute insights from innovative practices, collaboratively address evaluation challenges, and join the cross-agency community of research and evidence champions.
Contact Us
Have questions about Tennessee's program evaluation and research initiatives? Interested in collaborating or contributing research? We'd love to hear from you. Email us at OEI.Research@tn.gov.