A Collaboration You Can Bet On
“Overall the people, I think, were the best part.”
In this interview with S2’s communications team, Marshall Ogier, our Director of Economic Development and Workforce Systems, reflects on his experience as a 2026 Big Bets fellow.
What Works: Lakeland School System
Welcome to the third installment of our “What Works” series, where we find out what’s behind the success of some local school districts. In this installment, we explore Lakeland School System.
What Works: University Schools
Welcome to the second installment of our “What Works” series, where we find out what’s behind the success of some local school districts. In this installment, we explore University Schools.
Scores Galore: TCAP, NAEP, and PISA
Between 2022 and 2025, Tennessee was one of the fastest-improving states in terms of reading and math proficiency in the country, which was certainly driven by the successes of school districts like those mentioned above. For the first time ever, the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) showed Tennessee in the top half of states in proficiency in 2024.
Although parts of the country are finally reaching or even exceeding pre-COVID-19 proficiency levels, the Program for International Student Assessment (PISA), administered globally to 15-year-olds, shows us that our national scores are lagging behind. Reading and Math scores have both fallen in recent years.
Over the next few weeks, we’ll look at model school districts in Shelby County to discover how other districts can learn from their success.
Away from the Spotlight
The new officials sworn in this week and the under-the-radar ways they affect your life and work.