Memphis-Shelby County Schools students return to class Monday for the 2023-24 school year.This one could be less turbulent than recent years, but no less consequential, as the district confronts key decisions about its next leader, the future of its school buildings, its strategy for improving student academic performance and wellness, and its budget for the post-pandemic era.

The Tennessee Department of Education is encouraging families to keep track of their children’s testing results through an online portal.The department launched the Tennessee Comprehensive Assessment Program (TCAP) Family Portal in 2020 to provide families with on-demand access to their student’s TCAP and end-of-course assessments results. The portal also provides resources, including specific questions from previous assessments, historical data, and sample questions for families to ask educators about their students’ academic progress.

Five public school teachers joined the Tennessee Education Association (TEA) to file a lawsuit challenging the state’s so-called “prohibited concepts” law, restricting what can be taught on race, gender, and unconscious bias in public classrooms.The lawsuit asks for the court to declare the law unconstitutional under the 14th Amendment.“There is no group of individuals more passionate and committed to ensuring Tennessee students receive a high-quality education than public school educators,” said Knox County Educator and Tennessee Education Association President Tanya T. Coats. “This law interferes with Tennessee teachers’ job to provide a fact-based, well-rounded education to their students.”

As August gets closer, Tennessee school districts are preparing for the new school year by providing families with the information and assistance they need to start that first day on the right track.Several of the state’s largest districts are offering resources online to families.

Mentoring program tnAchieves opened its 2024 mentor application with a goal to recruit a total of 9,000 mentors.“In 2024, we're ready to confront challenges created by the pandemic and to create opportunities for students. We can't do this alone, though. Mentors are needed across the state to support and encourage local students as we work to reverse negative enrollment trends. tnAchieves stands ready to serve students, but we can't do it without your help!” wrote tnAchieves on their application page.

Students from the North Memphis Frayser community came together Friday morning to advocate for funding to combine the area’s two high schools into one new school.

More than four months ago Dogwood Elementary 5th grade teacher Alexa Guynes cried tears of joy when her school surprised her with the news she’d won the prestigious 2022 Milken Educator Award.Now she has her $25,000 prize.

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.

Metro Nashville Public Schools Board of Education said no to three proposed schools Tuesday night, including one by a former student.The board voted 5 to 2 against Invictus Nashville Charter School and unanimously voted against Pathways In Education-Nashville and Nashville Collegiate Prep High School.

The Tennessee General Assembly adjourned Friday following a tumultuous legislative session that included the expulsion and return of two members, a resignation, the most significant teacher pay raise in state history, and major changes to the Third-Grade Retention Law.

By any standard, the Knox County Board of Education’s April 6 meeting was unusual.Board member Susan Horn (District 5) was absent and board member Mike McMillan (District 8) missed parts of the meeting, leading to multiple tied votes on whether the district should approve Knoxville Preparatory School’s application to open the county’s second public charter school.Perhaps most surprising of all though, may be that one board member used her time during the discussion about Knox Prep to make insensitive and unsubstantiated comments about a student from an affiliated school.

House members voted 57 to 35 Wednesday to expand Tennessee’s Education Savings Account Program (ESA) following a strong pushback by Democratic members.The Tennessee General Assembly passed the Education Saving Account program in 2019 to allow lower income families in Davidson and Shelby County to use state and local dollars to help cover private school expenses. Legal challenges delayed the ESA from launching until last year.