Tennessee Department of Education requires narratives, tightens standards-alignment process for educator-prep literacy reviews; materials due March 31

Nashville — The Tennessee Department of Education on a webinar reviewed updates to the annual literacy-standards alignment review required by the Tennessee Literacy Success Act, saying educator preparation programs must submit standardized alignment matrices, corresponding syllabi and a now-required performance narrative by March 31.

Laurie, a presenter with the department's educator preparation team, told webinar participants that the 2025 review will retain the same three sections as last year'matrices (a map of alignment), course syllabi (artifacts of instruction) and a narrative (the story of alignment)'but includes several procedural changes intended to improve clarity and efficiency.

The change that drew most emphasis was the State Board of Education-driven decision to make the previously optional narrative a required upload. "The narrative should include evidence of the six components of the foundational literacy skill standards," Laurie said. She added that the department will provide guidance documents, examples drawn from Tennessee EPP submissions, and office hours and peer collaboration sessions to help programs meet the requirements.

Why this matters: The Tennessee Literacy Success Act seeks to ensure students reach grade-level reading proficiency by the…