State of States Update: Tenn., Okla., Miss. and S.C. Governors on Education

Mississippi, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee

Today, we’re highlighting four governors—from South Carolina, Mississippi, Oklahoma and Tennessee—who have used their state of the state addresses to highlight education.

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Today, we’re highlighting four governors—from South Carolina, Mississippi, Oklahoma and Tennessee—who have used their state of the state addresses to highlight education. Specifically, how they plan to center their state education systems on students and focus on improving student achievement.

Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam

GovHaslamQuoteOn Monday, Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam delivered his State of the State address, marking the sixth straight year in which he has emphasized education reform in his agenda. Education highlights in Governor Haslam’s remarks included:

Governor Haslam also highlighted the gains that Tennessee students have made in recent years. “In Tennessee our public schools have roughly 1 million students. Since 2011, 131,000 more students are on grade-level in math and nearly 60,000 more are on grade-level in science,” he said. “For the third straight year, Tennessee public high school students improved on their ACT. Our graduation rate has increased for the third year in a row and now stands at 88 percent.” In all, the Governor’s budget proposal adds $261 million to public education, including $104.6 million in teacher pay raises.

Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin

Oklahoma QuoteThe same day, Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin also delivered her sixth State of the State address and underscored the value of building a student-centered education system. Education highlights in Governor Fallin’s remarks included:

Mississippi Governor Phil Bryant

On Friday, Mississippi Governor Phil Bryant delivered his fifth State of the State address, once again demonstrating an unwavering commitment to fighting for education reform. Education highlights in Governor Bryant’s remarks included:

South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley

On January 21st, South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley delivered her sixth State of the State address, in which she laid out a budget that moves education reform forward. Some highlights from Governor Haley’s budget to continue improving South Carolina’s education system include:

Governor Haley also highlighted South Carolina’s comprehensive K-3 Reading law, Read to Succeed, in her remarks. Passed in 2014, Read to Succeed focuses on intensive intervention for K-3 students who are at risk of reading failure to help ensure they read on grade level by the end of third grade. With additional support from the legislature in 2015, “we have put reading coaches in every elementary school and will no longer pass a child out of the third grade if they can’t read,” Governor Haley said.

ExcelinEd is working to build an American education system that prepares our students for success. We are thankful for leaders like Governors Haslam, Fallin, Bryant and Haley who are building a better future for their students.

Solution Areas:

College & Career Pathways, Private Education Choice

Topics:

Charter Schools

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