As Lawmakers Convene Hearings on Potentially Reducing Testing and Teacher Evaluations, a New Poll Shows Republican Voters Overwhelmingly Support Preserving Both

Stock image of student taking a test

A new poll conducted by education advocacy organization Tennesseans for Student Success (TSS) finds conservative voters oppose many of the potential education changes Republican lawmakers are meeting this week to discuss.

Members of the Tennessee General Assembly approved the creation of a ten-member Advisory Committee on Innovations in K-12 Education last April that will make recommendations next year on a broad swath of accountability, assessments and licensure measures, including whether to potentially reduce testing and teacher evaluation requirements for public schools. Leaders in the House initially proposed reductions to both testing and evaluations, but scaled the legislation back to study those potential changes and others through the advisory committee.

TSS’ poll of 1,000 Republican voters found 86 percent consider it important for public school students to receive annual statewide assessments and 91 percent support holding teachers accountable for the success of their students.

Additionally, 71 percent said they oppose the testing and teacher evaluation reductions House members initially proposed, and 77 percent support the state’s School Letter Grades system that provides each public school with an annual A through F grade. The Tennessee Firefly is a product of and supported by Tennesseans for Student Success.

Lana Skelo (Photo by Tennesseans for Student Success)

“Research has shown our state's testing and teacher evaluation systems have each played an important role in Tennessee's transformation from a state that's lagging in critical achievement measures into a model of performance others look to. These accountability requirements provide critical classroom data that not only shows how students are doing, but also what additional support they need to be set up for success,” said TSS President and CEO Lana Skelo. "Our polling shows conservative voters have seen these changes, and they support the systems that made improvements possible. We encourage lawmakers meeting in Nashville to use this data to make recommendations that uphold accountability and transparency in classrooms and align with the values of voters." 

Studies have found the state’s testing and accountability system has played a valuable role in helping improve student performance.

Advisory Committee Includes Lawmakers from Across the State

That advisory committee is holding its first meeting today, and it will include eight lawmakers. Senate leaders appointed Senators Adam Lowe, R-Calhoun; Dawn White, R-Murfreesboro; Raumesh Akbari, D-Memphis; and Bo Watson, R-Hickson. House leaders appointed Representatives William Slater, R-Gallatin; Kirk Haston, R-Lobelville; Scott Cepicky, R-Culleoka; and Mark Cochran, R-Englewood.

Representatives Haston and Cochran both sponsored legislation earlier this year to reduce testing.

The advisory committee will additionally include two appointments by Governor Bill Lee: Education Commissioner Lizzette Reynolds and State Board of Education Member Krissi McInturff.

Union Support for Weakening Testing and Accountability Systems

The Tennessee Education Association (TEA) has been among the biggest supporters of rolling back the state’s accountability systems. Earlier this year, the union put out a press release supporting proposals to reduce testing and evaluations.

“Freedom to teach is critical to student success and educator morale,” said TEA President Tanya T. Coats in the press release. “For too long our public education system has been over-reliant on high-stakes standardized testing, and this legislation takes an important step toward letting teachers teach students, not the tests.”

Committee to Hear from School Representatives

Today’s initial hearing for the committee will involve presentations on alternative scheduling and Tennessee's 180 instructional days requirement for students from multiple schools, including Knox County’s first public charter school, Emerald Academy and a representative from Bradley County Schools. The school district is located in Committee Member Haston’s House district.

The committee is planning to hold at least two additional hearings, one next month and the other in September.