In November 2013, a Brookings Institution blog questioned whether TN deserved to call itself #1 or even if its overall NAEP gains were accurately represented.
ECF has called for a replay. Our findings: In a top-ten style ranking based on a composite of the 4 NAEP tests, Tennessee outscored the next highest state by 15 points.
And yes, the District of Columbia did a great job as well, but is it a fair comparison? Over 40% of DC schools are charters, it serves less than 10% as many students, and it spends twice as much per pupil. Memphis and Nashville are each DC’s size and with far fewer resources.
Tennessee’s NAEP gains deserve a second look.