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Senior Policy Analyst

Employer
Tennessee SCORE
Location
Nashville, Tennessee
Salary
Compensation will be competitive based on the candidate’s previous experience and credentials.

“We never believed it was acceptable for Tennessee to be ranked in the bottom five to 10 states in the country in education. And we don’t believe today that we should be below the national average. But what we have seen is that change is possible. Our students can grow. It’s happening in Tennessee, and it can happen all across our nation.”
--Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam, November 9, 2013


INTRODUCTION
In recent years, Tennessee has made significant progress in advancing a bold education improvement plan, and is a leader in the nation in efforts to dramatically improve student achievement. Since 2011, according to the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP)—also known as the Nation’s Report Card—Tennessee has been one of the fastest improving states in the nation in student achievement. While Tennessee has made significant gains, students still score below the national average. Since 2009, the State Collaborative on Reforming Education (SCORE) has played a critical role in advancing student achievement and works to drive collaboration across the state on policy and practice to ensure all students graduate high school prepared for postsecondary education and the workforce.
SCORE is an independent, non-profit, and non-partisan organization founded by former U.S. Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, and dedicated to the goal that every student in Tennessee graduates from high school prepared for postsecondary education and the work force. SCORE supports student success across Tennessee by insisting on high expectations for what students can achieve, empowering people to lead the change for our students, and fostering a culture of innovation.
SCORE is based at Vanderbilt University’s John Seigenthaler Center. For more information on SCORE, please visit www.tnscore.org.


POSITION OVERVIEW
SCORE’s Senior Policy Analyst will play a critical role in advancing the organization’s work and Tennessee’s efforts to improve student achievement. Thought leadership lies at the core of SCORE’s mission, and the kind it seeks to provide – objective, fact-based, and solution-oriented – will rely on the outstanding policy insight that the person who fills this position will have. The Senior Policy Analyst will support SCORE’s efforts in 1) assessing where, how, and why statewide reforms are – or are not -- meeting the ambitious goals that Tennessee has set for student growth and achievement, 2) leading substantial areas of SCORE’s policy and research work to inform policy change, advocacy efforts, and implementation support, 3) proactively anticipating and assessing ways of overcoming barriers to reform, and 4) and building relationships with key local, state, and national external policy partners.

This position requires an independent, data-driven, and rigorous strategic thinker who is also able to
work in close and productive collaboration with SCORE colleagues and with public officials, policy
leaders, researchers, and educators at the state and local levels. The Senior Policy Analyst will report to
SCORE’s Director of Policy and Research.


KEY RESPONSIBILTIES
Key responsibilities of the Senior Policy Analyst include but are not limited to:
• Work with SCORE team members to provide strategic thought leadership on education policy
issues and priorities affecting Tennessee
• In consultation with SCORE leadership and education stakeholders across the state, support the
development of a policy and research agenda that will illuminate and help advance SCORE’s
policy goals
• Analyze and comment on current and potential policies, legislation, and rules that could impact
education in Tennessee
• Lead and manage the analysis of key education legislation filed in the Tennessee General
Assembly and prepare bill summaries for distribution both internally and externally, providing
timely and thorough analysis of these proposals
• Monitor, summarize, and analyze policy proposals from the Tennessee State Board of Education
and other state agencies, providing timely and thorough analysis of these proposals
• Monitor meetings of the State Board of Education, legislative committees, and other relevant
state policymakers, and attend as needed
• Manage comprehensive policy projects from concept to release, including: outlining project
vision, building project plans, analyzing data, analyzing policy, reviewing education research,
making policy and practice recommendations, and presenting findings through written reports
and public presentations
• Identify emerging national policy best practices and consider how those policies could fit the
Tennessee context
• Serve as a policy support and thought partner for advocacy team members during outreach
campaigns and legislative sessions
• Represent SCORE at external meetings and conferences
• Contribute to developing, managing, and reporting on budgets for specific policy and research related
projects, in consultation with the Vice President of Finance & Operations and Vice
President of Programs
• Contribute regular posts to the SCORE blog
• Collaborate with the advocacy and educator engagement teams to share policy developments
to stakeholders (e.g., webinars, convenings, conferences)


CANDIDATE REQUIREMENTS
SCORE is looking for an innovative and driven individual with a passion for improving education in
Tennessee. The Senior Policy Analyst must have at least three to five years of demonstrated experience
in K-12 education policy and must be able to work in close and productive collaboration with SCORE
colleagues and with policy leaders, public officials, and other education stakeholders at the local, state, and national level. Experience in innovation-focused policy is preferred. Candidates must have a bachelor’s degree, and a master’s degree in public policy is preferred. Other candidate requirements include:
•Deep knowledge of major K-12 education policy issues at both the state and federal level
•The ability to review and analyze education policy proposals with an eye towards positiveimpact on Tennessee students and the ability to be adept at turning policy ideas into legislativeand policy proposals
•Mindfulness around how to advance student-focused policy in particular political contexts
•The ability to proactively identify policy and research trends, identify gaps in the field, andactivate an appropriate policy, research, or implementation response
•Excellent writing skills with the ability to convey complex concepts in concise and compellingways
•High emotional intelligence and understanding of political nuance
•Strong spoken communication skills and comfort speaking to both large and small groups
•Outstanding commitment to excellence and attention to detail
•The ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously in a fast-paced, rapid-growth, high-intensity, and intellectually-demanding environment
•The ability to problem solve in the moment and pro-actively consult with other team membersas appropriate
•Immediate exhibiting of SCORE’s core values of collaboration, excellence, optimism, innovation,and courage
SCORE provides excellent opportunities for professional growth and has a commitment to providing team members with feedback and opportunities to grow in their work.


COMPENSATION
Compensation will be competitive based on the candidate’s previous experience and credentials.
TO APPLY
To apply, please send a resume and cover to SCORE’s Vice President of Programs, Mary Cypress Metz, at marycypress@tnscore.org. If you have any questions about the position, please contact Mary Cypress at that email address or by phone at 615-727-1545.

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