The academic achievement gap in Tennessee is a drag on economic development and a threat to America's national security. Research over the past several years has shown that the skills and knowledge needed to be successful in today's workforce are much greater than the skills and knowledge that were needed to be successful in the workforce twenty years ago. For example, seven of the ten fastest growing occupations in Tennessee today require some type of post-secondary degree. Quite frankly, Tennessee's labor force is not prepared for those jobs. In addition, 3 out of 4 of 17-24 year olds in America are ineligible to enlist in the military, many due to educational deficiencies. Tennessee must do better.
Crockett Policy Institute recently hosted a roundtable discussion on Common Core Standards at the Southwest Tennessee Development District Office in Jackson. See below for the full conversation with the following panelists:
- Moderator, Lt. General (Ret.) John Castellaw, USMC, President, Crockett Policy Institute
- Lou Newbill, retired principal, Dyersburg Middle School
- Dan Black, Superintendent, Bradford Schools
- Rep. Craig Fitzhugh, Minority Leader, TN House of Representatives
- Dr. Jared Bigham, Director of College and Career Readiness, TN SCORE
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