The Palladium: Setting High Expectations for Real Results

Dear Friend,

Over the last twenty years, students, educators, and families in Tennessee have worked hard to push for evidence-based policies that improve our schools. Thanks to these efforts, Tennessee now leads the South in education and ranks among the top 20 in the nation, according to a new analysis of National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) data by Tennessee SCORE.

We’re proud of this progress, but major gaps in NAEP scores remain across student groups. Even though economically disadvantaged and Black and Latino students in Tennessee are doing well compared to similar students in other states, there are still major differences between these students and their more advantaged or white peers.

EdTrust-Tennessee is committed to closing those gaps. We continue to invest in diverse coalitions like the Tennessee Alliance for Equity in Education to hold high expectations for decision-makers, using evidence-based research to achieve real results, so every student — regardless of economic background, race, or immigration status — can thrive and succeed in the classroom.

Join us at a 2026 Regional Roundtable near you to connect with fellow advocates, organizations and community members, share ideas and build momentum for continued progress. This November, Tennesseans will elect a new governor and state lawmakers, the leaders who will shape decisions about school funding, student supports, and civil rights protections for years to come. That makes this the right moment to act on what’s possible now and plan for what we’ll build together next.

Save the Date (Registration coming soon.)

Memphis — Tuesday, November 10, 2 pm - 5 pm CT
Chattanooga — Thursday, November 12, 2 pm - 5 pm ET
Knoxville — Tuesday, November 17, 1 pm - 4 pm ET
Johnson City — Wednesday, November 18, 1 pm - 4 pm ET
Nashville — Friday, December 4, 1 pm - 4 pm CT

Looking forward to seeing you soon.

In partnership,

Alexza Barajas Clark, PhD

Executive Director

The Numbers Behind the Story: How Data Makes the Case for Fair School Funding Undeniable

Effective advocacy depends on having the right tools to show where education policies can better serve students. Recently, we spoke with Zahava Stadler, Director of Education Funding Equity at New America, about their new tool, the ECHO Data Dashboard.

This tool is designed to give advocates data on education, housing, community demographics, and welfare helping them build coalitions across issue areas and more easily and effectively tackle complex and vital problems in their states and communities.

We talked about how important it is to connect stories with data. The strongest way to show that education is a valuable investment is by using data to highlight the size of the challenge, why it matters, and how much of a difference we can make.

Fewer Credits, Same Value? The Rise of Reduced-Credit Bachelor’s Degrees

As many students reconsider the traditional four-year degree, some colleges and universities are proposing shorter bachelor’s degree programs. Is this a good thing?

At the state level, efforts to advance three-year bachelor’s programs are at varying stages. States like Tennessee, Massachusetts, Oklahoma, and Louisiana have established frameworks for these reduced-credit bachelor’s programs.

Building the Conditions for Student Success: An Advocacy Toolkit for State Policy and Institutional Action

Despite the ongoing threats to diversity, equity, and inclusion, college DEI programs are important for students of color to feel like they belong.

EdTrust created this advocacy toolkit and adaptable associated resources so you can protect DEI programs at colleges and universities and open more doors for college students in your state.

FUTURO Career Pathways

FUTURO Career Pathways just launched! This completely free career readiness program prepares students for college-to-career success with a clear, virtual, guided pathway using engaging videos, valuable resources, and personalization to fit an array of career paths. The all-inclusive program provides pathways to higher education by helping students discover who they are, explore their interests, and pursue the job or career of their dreams.

Read more about Jennifer Novo, executive director of FUTURO, and learn how to get involved.

10/13 — YMCA | University of Memphis College Tour

10/17 — TN Disability Coalition | Parties in the Park: Memphis

10/22 — TIRRC and Latino Memphis | Memphis Educator Training

11/07 — TFA Memphis | Grits and Grind

11/10 — Hola Lakeway | College and Career Night

Banned in the USA: National Findings for the 2025-2026 School Year Show Continued Assault on Books in Public Schools | PEN America

Tennessee Advances Participation in the Federal Education Tax Credit Program | Tennessee Department of Education

Postsecondary Educational Value: Why It Matters, Who Is Measuring It, and Where We Go Now | Georgetown Center on Education and the Workforce

The Lasting Benefits of Tougher Tenure Rules | Education Nest

Why the Palladium?

More than just a precious metal, Palladium, published in the 1880s, was one of the first Black-owned newspapers in circulation in Tennessee. We draw inspiration from the Black press and its rich history of portraying the reality of racial injustice, taking on important civil rights issues, and serving as an unwavering political force. We hope you’ll find value in this monthly resource delivered straight to your inbox and join us as we work together to achieve educational justice for every child in our state.