Middle Tennessee State University is launching a new education doctoral degree program aimed at improving student achievement. The university said the program is the first of its kind in Tennessee and will begin in fall 2013. The new Doctor of Education in Assessment, Learning, and School Improvement degree was approved Thursday by the Tennessee Higher Education Commission. The Tennessee Board of Regents approved it earlier this year. The degree program will train educators to make best use of data on student learning and pinpoint areas needing attention as well as validate successes. There were 397 students who earned advanced degrees in education from MTSU in 2010-11.