TENNESSEE’S TOP TEN EDUCATION FACTS
(Last updated October 2012)
1. Of job openings in Tennessee as of September 2012, 59% require education beyond
high school.
2. 74% of college graduates in Tennessee say their job prospects are “fair” or better while
only 44% of those with a high school diploma or less say their job prospects are “fair” or
better.
3. To enter the training program for a manufacturing job at the new Volkswagen plant, an
individual must have a 19 on the ACT or a “C” grade in college-level courses requiring
math and reading.
4. In 2011, 32% of 8th graders in the U.S. were proficient on international math standards –
falling behind 31 other countries.
5. Only 16% of high school graduates, or 10,895 out of 68,095 students, in Tennessee are
prepared to enter college without taking any remedial coursework.
But progress is being made…
6. Math TCAP scores increased across grades 3-8 in 2012, with about 55,000 more
students proficient or advanced in math compared to two years ago.
7. The percentage of 10th grade students meeting college readiness benchmarks in Science
increased by 4% or 2,429 students in 2012.
8. More than half of high school students scored proficient or advanced in English I,
English II, Algebra I, Biology, and History – a first since the state implemented more
rigorous standards under the Tennessee Diploma Project.
9. Between 2009 and 2011, Tennessee’s high school graduation rate increased from 83.2%
to 85.5%.
10. The percentage of high school graduates enrolling in college has steadily increased from
55% in 2008 to 57.1% in 2011.