Half of Tennessee students fail tougher state tests
About half of Tennessee's public school students failed to meet state academic standards this year, the result of a more rigorous curriculum, harder exams and tougher grading. The dismal results didn't come as a surprise to state leaders, who for years have said that Tennessee schools are too easy and that the state does not accurately report academic performance. Jaime Sarrio, The Tennessean, Aug. 2, 2010