Tennessee
We studied 1.6 million job postings from 2020-2021 and found that 1.2 million Tennessee jobs or 76% of job postings demanded at least one Durable Skill.
State Standards Analysis & Recommendations for Improvement
COLLEGE & CAREER READINESS
Readiness standards are published and promoted and describe the competencies students need to learn and possess for entry into and success in college and the workforce. They may or may not be assessed by the state but exist as guidance for educators and expectations for students.
Yes
Does the state define college and/or career readiness?
Yes, the state’s definition of college and/or career readiness is “Career-ready students are those who graduate K–12 education with the knowledge, abilities, and habits to enter and complete postsecondary education without remediation and to seamlessly move into a career that affords them the opportunity to sustain or exceed a living wage.”
Yes
Does the state report metrics related to college and/or career readiness?
Yes, the state’s reported metrics related to college and/or career readiness include:
- EOC exam scores
- ACT scores
- NAEP scores
- Dual-credit enrollment
- CTE course enrollment by program area
- Career and technical student organization (CTSO) membership, by CTSO
- CTE concentrator: technical skills attainment
- CTE concentrator: postsecondary placement
- Average CTE courses per student
- Students graduating within four years
- ACT college readiness benchmarks
- Students meeting ACT HOPE Scholarship eligibility
Yes
Does the state include college/career readiness in its accountability formula?
Yes, find out more about college/career readiness in the state’s accountability formula here.
Yes
Are students expected to demonstrate readiness for college and/or career upon graduation?
Yes, students are expected to demonstrate college and/or career readiness through:
- Advanced Coursework Enrollment
- Postsecondary Assessment (SAT/ACT/Other)
- CTE Participation (CTE, WBL, Credential, Apprenticeship, Other)
Yes
Are Durable Skills reflected in career readiness standards?
Yes. The following durable skills are reflected in Mississippi’s college and career readiness standards:
- Character
- Collaboration
- Communication
- Creativity
- Critical thinking
- Fortitude
- Growth Mindset
- Leadership
- Metacognition
- Mindfulness
Yes
Does the state have a complete framework for work-based learning?
Yes, the state has a complete framework for work-based learning.
Yes
Does the state define WBL?
Yes, the state’s definition for work-based learning is available here.
Yes
Does the state have clear expectations for WBL programs?
Yes, the state’s work-based learning expectations guide can be found here.
Yes
Does the state have a WBL quality guide?
Yes.
Yes
Does the state report on WBL participation and outcomes?
Yes, all WBL programs are required to share information about WBL student participation and outcomes in the WBL Student Placement Portal. A quarterly report is produced and published via state’s enrollment information system.
Yes
Does the state use WBL participation as a program quality indicator for Perkins V federal funding?
Yes, the state uses work-based learning participation as a program quality indicator for Perkins V federal funding. Learn more here.
Yes
Does the state provide guidance related to career/employability skills?
Yes, the state’s guidance related to career/employability skills can be found here.
WORK-BASED LEARNING (WBL)
Work-based learning describes comprehensive guidance, expectations for educators and employers, and quality indicators for assessment.
DURABLE SKILLS ALIGNED WITH READINESS GUIDANCE
GRADUATE PROFILE
A graduate profile includes the competencies and skills a student possesses when they graduate from high school. They showcase student learning outcomes and present a full picture of a student’s abilities.
Yes
Does the state include career/workforce readiness in its graduation requirements?
Yes, the readiness requirements outlined by the state are completion of three credits in an elective focus. “The intent of the elective focus is to provide students with an opportunity to explore a particular academic area in greater depth.” Students may choose to take a CTE elective focus.” Additionally, Tennessee students in their junior year of high school must complete the ACT or SAT. Students demonstrate they’ve met these requirements via coursework and assessment.
No
Does the state outline a robust set of graduation requirements?
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