About TERA

TERA bridges the gap between education research, policy, and practice in Tennessee. Our partnership-focused approach places research in the hands of education leaders tasked with finding policy and practice solutions.

Why We're Unique

TERA is one of the only research-practice partnerships in the country focused on state-level education policy. We connect Vanderbilt University's Peabody College and the Tennessee Department of Education to expand a knowledge base in key topic areas. Through TERA, scholars at Vanderbilt and other leading universities carry out high-quality, practical research that informs state-level policy, impacts the practice in schools and districts across Tennessee, and contributes to national conversations on K-12 education.

Advisory Council

TERA periodically consults with a broad array of Tennessee education stakeholders to get their input and feedback on ongoing research, emerging findings, and dissemination plans. Advisory Council members represent the following organizations:

State Board of Education
Tennessee State Collaborative on Reforming Education (SCORE)
Tennessee Education Association
The Education Trust
Tennessee Higher Education Commission
Tennessee Organization of School Superintendents
Tennessee School Boards Association
Governor's Office
Tennessee Educators of Color Alliance