Tennessee Selected for National School Improvement Grant

Nashville, TN – Tennessee is one of seven states chosen to participate in a school improvement project led by Johns Hopkins University’s Center for Data-Driven Reform in Education (CDDRE). Nationally-renowned education researchers will work with select districts on a customized plan to improve student learning in the classroom.

“We are excited that Tennessee educators will benefit from the caliber of research Johns Hopkins will bring to our schools,” Commissioner Seivers said. “This partnership will help school systems spend valuable budget dollars on initiatives known to produce real results in a student’s education.”

CDDRE consultants first will guide participating school systems in selecting an intervention model that has been proven to enhance student achievement in the district’s specific areas of weakness. Second, they will help local leaders put the model into practice and use ongoing evaluations to refine its effectiveness.

“All research-based methods are not equal. This project is about helping school leaders sift through the vast education research to find a solution best suited to making a difference for students in their community,” Federal Programs Director Julie McCargar said. “The CDDRE’s support will have far-reaching effects as Department officials share these evidence-based practices statewide.”

The following school systems are participating in the CDDRE research project and will receive intervention services.

The cost of participation in the project is covered by a federal research grant to the CDDRE. Districts in the test group will begin working with CDDRE in 2007. Districts in the control group will begin the intervention process after one year. Fifty school systems in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Alabama, Arizona, Indiana and Mississippi are also participating in the research project while additional states not part of the grant are paying for the CDDRE’s assistance.

For more information, contact Rachel Woods at (615) 253-1960 or Rachel.Woods@state.tn.us.