MCHS's Deal, Liles attend SCOPE

Deacon Liles and Jenalee Deal

Deacon Liles and Jenalee Deal attended SCOPE, which is designed to engage students in finding solutions to pressing educational issues.

Two students from Moore County High School, Jenalee Deal and Deacon Liles, recently joined 246 high school peers from across Tennessee to share their perspectives on public education at the Tennessee School Boards Association (TSBA) Student Congress on Policies in Education (SCOPE). The event, held on Tuesday, March 11, at Belmont University in Nashville, aimed to amplify student voices in discussions about the future of public education.

Now in its 42nd year, SCOPE is designed to engage students in finding solutions to pressing educational issues. Participants took part in mock school board sessions, assuming roles as school board members, school officials, parents, students, and concerned citizens. These interactive sessions were guided by school board members and superintendents from across the state.

During the event, student delegates debated four significant education topics:

All students must complete at least one post-secondary course in high school.

  • Agree: 40%
  • Disagree: 60%

Uniforms shall be worn by all students.

  • Agree: 18%
  • Disagree: 82%

The school calendar shall be increased from 180 to 200 days.

  • Agree: 31%
  • Disagree: 69%

Every student will complete at least 30 hours of community service as part of a local graduation requirement.

  • Agree: 39%
  • Disagree: 61%

Following the debates, SCOPE delegates elected their 2026 officers:

  • President: Chason Yates, Fayette-Ware High School, Fayette County
  • 1st Vice President: Akshay Vashist, Science Hill High School, Johnson City
  • 2nd Vice President: Chandler Cates, Shelbyville Central High School, Bedford County

Since its establishment in 1939, the Tennessee School Boards Association has served as a collective voice for public school boards across the state. Officially recognized by the State Legislature in 1953, TSBA advocates for the interests of Tennessee’s public school students and districts, offering training and resources to the state’s nearly 1,000 board of education members.

Participation in SCOPE provides students with a unique opportunity to influence education policy while developing critical thinking and leadership skills.