When students excel in the classroom, they emerge prepared to find success in college, career, and life.

Are Tennessee students prepared for careers that enable economic independence?

To address this crucial question, Tennesseans must unite around a shared data-driven vision that charts a path for student success. TN2030 puts forth a set of ambitious — yet attainable — goals aimed at ensuring Tennessee students are on clear pathways toward opportunity.

Those invested in Tennessee students hope that every one of them is prepared for their next steps in life. With this aspiration as our collective north star, strong progress can be made when just one more student in every classroom across the state reaches key educational milestones.

Join us in pursuit of these goals by signing up below.

Goal: 71% of Tennessee third-graders are reading and writing on grade level by 2030.

Students Proficient in Third-Grade ELA on TCAP (TDOE) as of May 2024

This means that just one more child in every third-grade classroom will achieve ELA proficiency each year.

Students who do not read proficiently by the end of third grade are unlikely to catch up in future years. These students are less likely to graduate from high school or earn a postsecondary credential. When we increase this specific measure, we can expect more students to successfully complete high school and be better prepared for postsecondary education and a career.

Goal: 58% of Tennessee seventh-graders are proficient in math by 2030.

Percentage of Students Proficient in Seventh-Grade Math on TCAP, 2024

This means that just one more child in every seventh-grade classroom will achieve math proficiency each year.

Students who are not proficient in math by the end of seventh grade are more likely to struggle with complex high school mathematics courses, including algebra. This proficiency is highly predictive of success on college entrance exams and in postsecondary courses. When we increase this specific measure, we can expect students to achieve greater success in high school and postsecondary pursuits.

Goal: 77% of all 12th-grade students in Tennessee pursue a postsecondary opportunity aligned to their long-term goals by 2030.

Seamless Enrollment in Postsecondary Education After High School, Class of 2023.

Data do not account for military enlistment, apprenticeships, or credential earning in K-12.

This means that just one more high school graduate per 12th-grade classroom will seamlessly enroll in college, accept an apprenticeship, or enlist in the military each year.

Students who do not immediately enroll in postsecondary education after high school graduation are unlikely to enter the higher education system in the future. When we increase this specific measure, we can expect to see higher postsecondary completion that leads to stronger prospects for work and economic independence.

Goal: 64% of postsecondary students in Tennessee complete a degree or credential, with 75% of those being impact credentials by 2030.

Percentage of First-Time, Full-Time Students Earning a Postsecondary Credential and Those Aligned to High-Wage, High-Demand Careers, 2023

This means that just one more high school graduate per classroom will complete a postsecondary degree, with 75% of those completed endeavors being considered an impact credential.

Earning a postsecondary degree or credential results in higher lifetime earnings, lower rates of unemployment, and is also linked to improved health outcomes, increased civic participation, and reduced likelihood of becoming involved in the criminal justice system. Focusing on completion of impact credentials — or credentials that lead to high-demand, high-wage jobs — can help ensure students are prepared to succeed in the jobs of today and tomorrow. When we increase this specific measure, we make that final connection from Tennessee's educational system to the state's workforce, leading to lives of economic independence and stronger economies.

Do these four goals tell the full story of success?

The metrics tell us whether Tennessee students master foundational academics, start postsecondary education, and earn an impact credential. But there's more to the story: We must help students overcome roadblocks and complete their credentials, so that they can achieve careers that enable economic independence.

Students Are Disconnected

Nearly one in six young people (14%) between the ages of 16 and 24 are disconnected from both education and the workforce.

Some Get Interrupted

Nearly 64,000 high school graduates in the class of 2021 fulfilled the requirements of the Tennessee Promise program, yet 50% never enrolled in any postsecondary opportunity. This leaves a question mark around whether they reengaged in education, enlisted in the military, or pursued additional workforce training.

Others Are Underemployed

Even those with a postsecondary credential may still be unprepared for a changing workforce. Nearly half of Tennesseans (47%) are underemployed based on their education level. Tennessee has one of the lowest workforce participation rates of any state, ranking 42nd in the nation.

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We Must Meet the Moment

Nearly half of Tennesseans hold a postsecondary credential
48%
while two-thirds of jobs will require one by 2031
63%

These Tennesseans may need reskilling or upskilling to live a choice-filled life.

It is urgent that Tennessee work to address these realities by setting a more expansive vision and a goal that reflects our full understanding of what contributes to success. That vision certainly includes high school graduates moving seamlessly through postsecondary education to earn impact credentials, but it also includes pathways students take in another direction that still lead them toward economic independence. We must embrace the need for life-long learning opportunities to prepare all students to thrive in work and in life.

These are achievable goals.

When our state comes together on behalf of each student, we know that change can happen to ensure they are prepared for success in the classroom, in their chosen careers, and in life.

Join Us

These are achievable goals. Tennessee has rallied around its students so many times in the past, and we know that we can come together again to ensure they are prepared for classroom, career, and life success. If you're ready to engage in this work and help make progress on these goals, share your information and watch for updates and action steps to come. Most of all, thank you for your investment of time and talent in these critical efforts that can change the lives of Tennessee students for decades to come.