The Tennessee Reading Research Center began in 2022 as a
collaboration between the University of Tennessee System and
the Tennessee Department of Education.
Housed at the University of Tennessee Knoxville, it is the only reading research center in the country to connect multiple campuses within a university system. Faculty working with the center hail from the main campus in Knoxville as well as the Health Science Center, the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture, and the undergraduate campuses of Chattanooga, Martin, and Southern. Collectively, faculty and staff bring expertise in reading development, writing development, early literacy, adolescent literacy, literacy for diverse learners, effective instruction, valid and reliable assessment, speech and language, educational technology for literacy, preparation of literacy educators, and literacy research methodology.
People
Staff, students, faculty, deans, and designees support the Tennessee Reading Research Center. The individuals found on our people page ensure that the TRRC operates efficiently, and as a result, that Tennessee’s students receive the utmost support inside and outside of the classroom.
Expertise
The faculty, staff, and collaborators of the Tennessee Reading Research Center offer a variety of expertise for supporting stakeholders in literacy content, research and evaluation, and implementation science.
Students
We are always looking for motivated students to join our team and help improve literacy instructional and assessment practices. See if there are available roles and consider contributing your talents to the Tennessee Reading Research Center.
Mission
To help all individuals acquire the means for full and equitable participation in society by developing, evaluating, and disseminating effective literacy instructional and assessment practices.
Vision Statement
To be a leading producer of respected literacy research and a trusted source of effective literacy practices.
Core Values
- Provide the highest quality information and resources available
- Value and support others in achieving the common goals
- Act with integrity in carrying out all work
- Hold personal accountability for actions and results
- Build trust by focusing on what is best for clients and honoring commitments to them
- Seek solutions for local community, state, and national stakeholders
ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE AND GOVERNANCE
The TRRC currently is in the CEHHS and reports to the Dean. Project decisions are made by the respective PI and informed by collaborators as well as the funding agency. Shared resource decisions are made by the core staff overseeing those resources, with guidance from the executive council (director, senior staff or NTT faculty, and senior faculty fellows). Strategic planning decisions are made by the executive council. Day-to-day operational decisions are made by the director.