Here is some exciting news. According to the 2013 National Assessment of Educational Progress, Tennessee students surpassed all other states in growth from 2011 to 2013, making Tennessee students the fastest improving state in the nation. The NAEP results also showed that Tennessee had the largest growth of any state in a single testing cycle since NAEP started nationwide assessments a decade ago. Often known as “the nation’s report card,” NAEP assesses students in 4th and 8th grade reading and math. All 50 states have taken NAEP since 2003, and the results are regarded across the country as the best way to compare educational outcomes across states. Tennessee students’ combined growth on all four tests in 2013 exceeded the growth of all other states. Way to go kids! Great job teachers!