Tennesseans for Student Success

It is aligned with the political action committee Team Kids PAC in publishing what it calls the “Tennessee SuccessCard” which grades how state lawmakers voted on education policies. ³

Background

Tennesseans for Student Success supports what it calls “student-centered education policies.” The organization promotes public policies that promote higher academic standards, an effective and aligned assessment, an expansion of public school choice for parents, strong mechanisms for accountability, and better tools for teachers. ¹

TSS says it “builds authentic political power and influence” to promote its education policies. The organization contends that political forces “play a role in every policy decision that affects public education and not all of those forces prioritize students.” ⁴

Founded in 2014, the Tennesseans for Student Success’s founding CEO was Jeremy Harrell, a former campaign official for both former Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam (R) and former U.S. Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-TN). ⁵

TSS also sponsors Tristar Reads, an annual reading scholarship competition for Tennessee students K-12, who are encouraged to log reading ours during the summer for the chance to win  $1,000 scholarships across several age divisions. ⁶

Policy Advocacy

Tennesseans for Student Success Action Center contends students’ proficiency scores will not show preparedness for higher education or the workforce. It has backed charter schools in Davidson County, Hamilton County, and Shelby County. The action center further contends standardized tests should properly measure if students are on track for success and whether teachers, schools, and districts are supporting student growth. ⁷

TSS supported a move by Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee (R) in 2022 to increase education spending by $1 billion in the state. ⁸

TSS calls for greater accountability from all parties for student achievements, that includes Tennessee legislators, school administrators, school teachers, parents, and community volunteers. ⁹

The organization promotes school choice arguing all students “no matter their zip code, deserve to learn in a top-notch Tennessee public school.” ⁹

The organization further pushes for aligning school instruction, teacher preparation, and postsecondary education options with evolving global workforce demands. ⁹

Tennesseans for Student Success aired a commercial in the state during the 2015 Super Bowl about the legislative fight over whether to repeal the Common Core standards. The ad said, “some politicians want to drive us back to the days of lower standards, less accountability, and fewer choices for parents,” and implored Tennesseans to “tell your legislators to focus on results — not rhetoric.” The group spent $70,000 on the ad that appeared on Nashville’s NBC affiliate.

SuccessCard

The Team Kid PAC, a political action committee associated with Tennesseans for Student Success, publishes the Tennessee SuccessCard measuring the voting records for state legislators and local officials on how they voted regarding education policies. ³

Without directly endorsing candidates, the Success Card scores policymakers’ education votes from 0 to 100 and given a letter grade of A through F. ¹⁰ The politicians are measured on whether they advocate for higher standards, aligned assessment, protecting accountability, innovation in education, and securing economic opportunities. ¹⁰

Team Kids PAC has contributed to both Republican and Democratic lawmakers. ¹¹

Leadership

Adam Lister is the president and CEO of Tennesseans for Student Success. Previously, he was vice president of policy at the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce and led the chamber’s political action committees. Lister worked as an analyst with the Tennessee General Assembly and worked on political campaigns including for Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY). ¹²

Austin McMullen is the chairman of the four-member board of directors for Tennesseans for Student Success. He is an attorney and partner at Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP. ¹³

Jack Minor is the vice president of strategy and advocacy for Tennesseans for Student Success. He previously was chief of staff and lead communications adviser to former House Republican Conference Vice Chairman Rep. Mark Walker (R-NC). He was the digital content manager for Ted Cruz’s 2016 presidential campaign. ¹²

Lana Skelo is the general counsel and vice president of government relations for Tennesseans for Student Success. Previously, Skelo was senior director of state legislative affairs at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Skelo was also an attorney at Waller Law firm in Nashville. ¹²