Tennessee Education Commissioner Candice McQueen, left, walks and talks with Dalewood Middle School Principal Chris Earl during a tour of classrooms in this file photo.NASHVILLE -- State Education Commissioner Candice McQueen says she's delighted Tennessee's high school graduation rate is above the national rate but emphasizes that's just the starting point for where public education is going.
"We are proud that our graduation rate is outpacing the national average, but we also know that high school graduation is now the floor," McQueen said in a statement. "We are focused not only on high school graduation but also preparing our students to be ready for life opportunities after graduation."
The state "must keep working to ensure that all Tennessee students not only graduate from high school, but graduate ready for college and career," McQueen said.
Her comments came after the recent release of a report, "Building a Grad Nation," showing Tennessee's graduation rate ranked No. 8 nationally in 2013.
The state isn't far from reaching the U.S. goal of 90 percent by 2020, although researchers say that task becomes more difficult as states seek to boost graduation rates for students who are low income, minorities or who have disabilities.
McQueen spokeswoman Ashley Ball said increasing graduation rates is tied closely to other steps the state is doing to improve education.
"We're being very intentional about aligning high school to postsecondary and workforce needs," she said.
One example of that is through the state's new and improved Tennessee Comprehensive Assessment Program test in English language arts and math, TNReady, Ball said.
"TNReady emphasizes skills critical for success in college and career," she said.
The state also is "using strategic interventions, like Response to Instruction and Intervention, to identify where students have specific gaps and fill them as early as possible, setting students up for success in later years," she said.
Ball said the state and educators "are doing a better job than ever before of engaging students in real-world problem solving and higher level learning across all subjects."
Moreover, she added, "programs like work-based learning, and early postsecondary courses such as Advanced Placement, dual credit and dual enrollment are exposing more students to postsecondary rigor and workplace skills well before graduation.
"These experiences ensure more of our students graduate high school with the readiness skills to be successful," Ball said.
Contact staff writer Andy Sher at asher@timesfreepress.com or 615-255-0550.