Bredesen Accepts ECS Award for State Innovation in Education

NASHVILLE - Governor Phil Bredesen accepted the Education Commission of the States 2009 Frank Newman Award for Innovation on behalf of the State of Tennessee on Wednesday. The award was presented at the ECS 2009 National Forum on Education Policy being held in Nashville through Thursday.

 

The award, which recognizes excellence in shaping education policy, acknowledges Tennessee’s commitment to education reform through expansion of pre-K, teacher pay increases, higher standards and other education initiatives.

 

“I’m honored to accept this award on behalf of the state of Tennessee,” Bredesen said. “It affirms our hard work to make and keep education Tennessee’s number one priority. The most important thing we can do to improve our workforce and our citizens’ quality of life is to provide our children with a good education. It begins with quality pre-k, continues with more students graduating from high school ready for postsecondary education or the workforce, and includes more Tennesseans choosing to attend college.”

 

Nationally recognized for excellence in pre-K education, Tennessee has been recognized since 2003 by the National Institute for Early Education Research for requiring stringent quality standards for its pre-K program. Tennessee is one of just eight states that meet nine of NIEER’s 10 quality benchmarks; only two states met all 10.

 

With implementation of the Tennessee Diploma Project, the state has toughened education standards and curriculum to better equip graduating seniors for higher education or the workforce. The fall 2009 school year will include a focus on increased graduation requirements, 21st century workforce skills and new assessments. Supplementing its early and high school reform efforts, Tennessee has been recognized as a leader in best practices in distance learning for its online curriculum.

 

Tennessee is also one of 11 states that advanced in 2008 to the second phase the Making Opportunity Affordable grant program. The objective of the Making Opportunity Affordable initiative is to expand postsecondary education opportunities and increase college degree completion rates. Thirty-seven states participated in phase one of the grant competition. Up to five states will ultimately be selected to receive grant funding of $2 million over a four-year period.

 

“These accomplishments are only a slice of the extraordinary progress and success of the Tennessee education system,” said ECS President Roger Sampson. “Bold and courageous, the state of Tennessee has truly distinguished itself as a leader and visionary, advancing the spirit of the late Frank Newman.”

 

Frank Newman served 14 years as ECS president. The award criteria include policies that are bold, courageous and nonpartisan, with the potential for large-scale impact, that are replicable and hold valuable lessons for other states.