Tennessee Department of Education Commissioner Penny Schwinn announced she’s planning to step down in June, following four and a half years of service to the state.
Schwinn says she made the decision to leave office now because she’s accomplished her primary goals for the department and the time is right for her family. She also said leaving now ensures that districts, teachers, students, and families feel supported.
“I think what the worst thing for kids is a commissioner who leaves at six or seven because then you just have someone who’s there for 18 months to two years and they just aren’t able to continue to move at the rate and pace that our kids deserve,” said Schwinn.
Governor Bill Lee appointed Schwinn during his first term in office, and she was sworn in on February 1, 2019.
Schwinn is a former teacher that has held several high-level positions in education prior to her appointment including serving on the board of education for Sacramento County in California, Assistant Secretary of Education in Delaware, and the Deputy Commissioner of Academics at the Texas Education Agency.
“During her years of dedicated service, Penny has played a key role in our administration’s work to ensure educational opportunity for Tennessee students and secure the next generation of teachers, while navigating historic learning challenges,” said Governor Lee. “I have tremendous gratitude for her leadership and wish her much success in her next chapter.”
Schwinn says she’s the most proud of two major education initiatives, passing the Tennessee Investment in Student Achievement Act (TISA) and implementing the Tennessee Literacy Success Act (LSA).
Literacy Success Act
Tennessee’s low literacy rates have been an ongoing issue among education leaders for years.
Before the pandemic, only a third of Tennessee third graders were proficient in English Language Arts (ELA). Students who cannot read on grade level by third grade are more likely to fall behind.
Schwinn’s department implemented the Tennessee Literacy Success Act (LSA) in 2021 to combat this. The LSA ensures students in early grades are on track to becoming proficient readers by the end of third grade by providing support and training for teachers surrounding phonics-based reading instruction and establishing a reading screener to help identify and aid students who need help.
Some education leaders point to the LSA as being a major factor in improvements in English Language Aarts scores on the 2021-22 Tennessee Comprehensive Assessment Program (TCAP). Those scores exceed pre-pandemic levels last year.
“One thing that will not change in education is that our kids have got to be able to read on grade level if they’re going to be successful in their careers. And we have really led the country in that work. I say that because our outcomes show it, our teachers are just knocking it out of the park and our kids are learning at a rate that is so rewarding to see and so energizing,” said Schwinn.
Tennessee Investment in Student Achievement
Schwinn worked with Governor Bill Lee and the Tennessee General Assembly to update the way the state funds public schools through last year’s passage of the Tennessee Investment in Student Achievement (TISA) Act.
When TISA takes effect next school year, schools will be funded by a student-based approach that most states use. TISA also provides roughly $9 billion in education funding, including an additional recurring state investment of $1 billion starting in the 2023-23 school year.
“Redoing a funding formula is very difficult to do. I think you’re seeing states across the country really struggle to do that as a state Tennessee has tried to do that a number of times. But being able to have one that was so reflective and inclusive of voice across the state was really important,” said Schwinn.
School Choice
Commissioner Schwinn also lead the Department of Education during a time when school choice options for parents expanded in Tennessee.
Perhaps the most publicized and controversial was the Education Savings Account (ESA) passed by the Tennessee General Assembly following Schwinn’s appointment.
The ESA program allows eligible students in Davidson or Shelby County to use state and local dollars to help cover education expenses at private schools. Legal challenges prevented Schwinn’s administration from implementing the program until last year and next year it will expand to Hamilton County.
Tennessee has also seen growth in public charter schools along with the establishment of the Tennessee Public Charter Schools Commission during Schwinn’s tenure.
“Ultimately, it is about what is best for all students and that is the decision that is best made by the parent and the family. And so, our role in the Department of Education certainly is to implement laws that are passed, but more importantly, it’s to ensure that our families and communities are empowered with information so they can make the best right decision for their children,” said Schwinn.
Schwinn plans to stay in Tennessee and continue working in education.
She will be succeeded by former Texas Education Agency Chief Deputy Commissioner Lizzette Gonzalez Reynolds on July 1.
