New report highlights Tennessee’s top 5 ranking in student recovery after COVID learning loss
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A recent memo from Tennessee SCORE reports that Tennessee remains among the top five states in the nation for student learning recovery following the COVID-19 pandemic. The update comes as the state approaches the final stages of spending its federal ESSER (Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief) funding and begins planning for the future.
Earlier this year, national data from the Education Recovery Scorecard showed that Tennessee students made measurable gains in both reading and math. The newly released SCORE memo emphasizes the role that strategic planning and targeted investments played in achieving those gains.
Between 2020 and 2021, Tennessee received $3.86 billion in federal ESSER funds — the largest influx of K–12 education dollars in the state’s history. The Tennessee Department of Education required local districts to submit spending plans aligned to four priority areas including student readiness, educators, academics, and foundations for learning.
“In addition to ranking in the top five states across reading and math for growth from 2022 to 2024, Tennessee also ranks in the top 10 across subjects for recovery between 2019 and 2024 (third in math and ninth in reading). This analysis of state assessment data bolsters the positive findings from the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) earlier this year that Tennessee’s postpandemic recovery stands out against national trends,” cited the SCORE memo.
Only 106 districts across 18 states surpassed pre-pandemic test scores in both reading and math. Four of those districts are in Tennessee including Collierville Schools, Johnson City Schools, Oak Ridge Schools, and White County Schools.
Each district implemented different strategies. Johnson City focused on educator development and support for special populations while Oak Ridge invested in 1:1 technology and added graduation coaches. White County expanded STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) and reading initiatives based on performance data. Collierville Schools tailored interventions to testing results and evolving student needs.
The SCORE memo outlines these district-specific approaches and presents Tennessee as an example of how structured planning can support student academic progress.
Most ESSER funds are required to be spent by September 30, 2024. However, Tennessee has requested a federal extension through March 2026 for approximately $20 million in remaining funds. These dollars are designated for student-related initiatives such as tutoring, construction, and mental health services.
Recent federal guidelines released in March 2025 have introduced new documentation requirements, delaying some local recovery projects.
