New report finds Tennessee is bucking the national trend for who’s going into teaching

New data from the National Council on Teacher Quality says there are nearly four percentage points fewer teachers from historically disadvantaged groups than expected when compared against working-age adults from historically disadvantaged groups with degrees, among other findings that suggest the need to diversify the educator workforce.

Read More

Charter School Commission approves new location for Empower Memphis and an additional opening grade for Invictus Nashville Charter School

The Tennessee Public Charter School Commission has approved changes to a charter agreement with Empower Memphis Career and College Prep Charter Schools that would allow the operator to open a new school in a different location next school year.  

Read More

Tennessee could see as many as 17 new public charter schools next year

Five Tennessee school districts across the state received letters of intent for 17 proposed new public charter schools by last week’s deadline. Letters of intent are the first official step in next year’s new start charter application process.

Read More

Federal Trade Commission claims company that provided weapons detection technology to schools made false claims about its effectiveness

The Federal Trade Commission has charged a company that produces AI-based weapons detection systems used by schools and other businesses with making misleading claims about its effectiveness.

Read More

Tennessee recognizes 377 Reward Schools. Schools of choice led the way in the state’s two largest school districts

The Tennessee Department of Education announced the 377 schools across the state that have received the designation as Reward Schools for the 2023/2024 school year.

Public charter schools led the way in the state’s largest school district, accounting for nearly a third of Memphis-Shelby County Schools’ 34 Reward Schools.

Read More
News, State Education, State Government Brandon Paykamian News, State Education, State Government Brandon Paykamian

New Comptroller’s report says nearly 60 percent of Tennessee counties have ‘monetarily significant’ school upgrade needs

While the majority of K-12 facilities in Tennessee are in “good” or “excellent” condition, a new report from the Comptroller’s Office of Research and Education Accountability says that nearly 60 percent of counties have a “monetarily significant school infrastructure need.”

Read More
State Education, State Government Sky Arnold State Education, State Government Sky Arnold

Education Commissioner Lizzette Reynolds requests nearly $58 million for summer learning camps

One of the key investments in Tennessee’s 2021 special legislative session was the creation of summer learning camps designed to help children overcome pandemic learning losses. The state has continued operating them ever since, and at Wednesday’s state budget hearing, Department of Education Commissioner LIzzette Reynolds made the case for an additional $57.8 million investment.

Read More
National Education, State Education Sky Arnold National Education, State Education Sky Arnold

Governor Lee backs proposal to dump the Department of Education, despite questions what it might mean for students with special needs and rural Tennessee

You can add Tennessee Governor Bill Lee to the growing list of Tennessee lawmakers who support President-elect Donald Trump’s controversial proposal to eliminate the U.S. Department of Education. Lee posted a video on social media Wednesday to proclaim his support for the idea, even though the federal department is directly responsible for funneling more than $800 million to Tennessee.

Read More