The SCORE Prize recognizes the schools and school districts in Tennessee that have most dramatically improved student achievement.

Public education in America faces many challenges – tightening state budgets, a wide achievement gap, and increasing academic demands to ensure all students are prepared for 21st century jobs, to name a few. When graduating from high school prepared for college or the workforce truly is a ticket to success, taking the necessary steps to improve public education and student achievement is critical.  

In Tennessee, we face significant educational challenges. Only 15 percent of our high school students graduate college-ready.  And for every 100 9th graders in our state, only 19 will graduate from college within six years. In the face of these challenges, we have made historic reforms to improve public education.  Most importantly, we now expect more of students and schools. In return, they are rising to the challenge and achieving more.

The SCORE Prize is awarded annually to the elementary, middle, and high school in Tennessee, along with one school district, that have most dramatically improved student achievement in spite of the many challenges they face.  The prize recognizes that these schools and districts are doing the hard work of education reform that has resulted in meaningful and dramatic improvement for children in Tennessee.