/ What We Do

What We Do

Our focus is on equipping students, educators, advocates and policymakers with the resources and support to influence education policy in Tennessee. By mobilizing communities across the state, we amplify collective power to better influence and inform the policy decisions being made on behalf of students from low-income backgrounds, of color, with disabilities, in rural areas, and English learners, regardless of citizenship status. Together, by equipping communities with data and research, we seek to improve achievement and expand opportunities for underrepresented students in Tennessee.

Convene & Build Power

Inform State-Level Education Policy

Research & Policy Analysis

Recent Actions

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Protecting Undocumented Student Access to Public Education
March 2, 2026 by EdTrust-Tennessee
The Tennessee General Assembly is considering multiple bills that threaten access to K-12 public education for all students, regardless of...
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Official Statement
Tennessee Lawmakers Revive Push to Challenge Plyler v. Doe Threatening Every Child’s Right to a Public Education
February 26, 2026 by BStaten
Two bills that could challenge Plyler v. Doe, the landmark Supreme Court ruling guaranteeing every child’s right to a free...
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Latest Developments in Protecting Undocumented Student Access to K-12 Public School
February 20, 2026 by EdTrust-Tennessee
In the 114th General Assembly, Tennessee lawmakers have filed two bills designed to challenge a constitutional and long-standing legal precedent...
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Official Statement
EdTrust-Tennessee Responds to Gov. Bill Lee’s Final State of the State
February 4, 2026 by BStaten
EdTrust-Tennessee released the following statement, in response to Governor Bill Lee delivering his final State of the State address where...
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ESSA Waivers
December 17, 2025 by EdTrust-Tennessee
The Tennessee Department of Education (TDOE) has indicated an interest in making changes to Tennessee's accountability systems switching from two,...
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Official Statement
National Guard Deployment Creates Fear, Disrupting Learning for Memphis Students
September 29, 2025 by EdTrust-Tennessee
We are deeply concerned about the National Guard deployment in Memphis. Community safety comes from strong schools, wrap-around services, and...