These Memphis middle and high schools have a new program to boost student literacy
IOTA Community Schools, formerly Green Dot Public Schools, has partnered with Reading Horizons to boost literacy instruction in four Memphis middle and high schools. The partnership brings the Reading Horizons Elevate program, which focuses on foundational reading skills for older learners, to schools like Hillcrest High, Kirby Middle, Wooddale Middle, and Bluff City High. IOTA's Chief Academic Officer, Christina Austin, emphasized the program's goal of better preparing students for college and careers through enhanced reading instruction.
Hamilton County Schools updates school nursing policy following new parental consent law
The Hamilton County school board updated its policy to allow school nurses to provide emergency care to students without parental consent, in response to a new Tennessee law requiring parental permission for non-emergency treatment. The law was initially aimed at restricting gender-affirming care but has broader implications, such as needing consent for basic medical care. The board unanimously passed the update to ensure emergency situations are addressed promptly. Additionally, the board approved funding for a new staff position to manage legislative updates and advocate for school funding, despite some opposition.
Williamson County Schools officials discuss AI guidelines, plagiarism concerns
According to current guidelines available on the board’s website, students and staff should only use AI programs that are approved by district leadership for instruction or completing student work approved AI programs may be utilized in student instruction or in completing student work.
THEC approves plans for Austin Peay master campus plan, nuclear program at Roane State
Commissioners said Roane’s new Associate of Applied Science in Nuclear Technology program will help build students' technical knowledge and engineering skills for careers in nuclear technology.
Tennessee Department of Education announces improvements in K-12 literacy and efforts to maintain progress
While recent state assessment data trends show that students throughout the state are making gains in literacy, officials from the Tennessee Department of Education say more work is needed to maintain that progress moving forward.
SCORE memo notes need to update state higher-ed funding formula
A new memo from the State Collaborative on Reforming Education (SCORE) highlights the need to revise Tennessee’s outcomes-based postsecondary funding formula to better prepare students for career success after graduation.
Metro Nashville Public Schools addresses teacher vacancies, welcomes back Brick Church Middle
Metro Nashville Public Schools (MNPS) has made significant progress in recent efforts to address teacher vacancies in the district, according to a back-to-school update given by Director Adrienne Battle at Tuesday’s regular board meeting.
Tennessee Connections Academy aims to meet growing demand for online learning options
A recent report from Market Data Forecast found the global K-12 online education market is expected to grow more than $500 billion to reach about $716 billion in 2029, amid the growing popularity of online learning options. Among the schools in Tennessee helping to meet that growing demand is Tennessee Connections Academy.
State Board of Education seeks feedback on state ELA standards
The Tennessee State Board of Education has launched a new survey to gather public comments and feedback about Tennessee’s K-12 English Language Arts (ELA) standards, a Monday announcement said.
Knox County Schools makes changes to early dismissal schedule
Following recent discussions between board members and with parents in the community about their preferences, the board decided to do away with two “early release days” and turn the remaining four into “half days,” which officials say have less instruction time than early release days
Three new public charter schools took different paths to serve families in Rutherford County
Rutherford Collegiate Prep opened its doors for the first time to students last Wednesday while American Classical Academy Rutherford and Springs Empower Academy are both opening today.
Rutherford County Schools approves book ban policy revisions
The Rutherford County school board unanimously voted to approve revisions to district policy regarding the removal of books with sexual or inappropriate themes from school libraries to align with a new state law that went into effect this year.
UT study shows need for more civic education in Tennessee
A recent statewide survey from the University of Tennessee’s Institute of American Civics suggests there's a critical need to improve civics education in Tennessee.
SCORE memo notes important role of data in building student literacy
The State Collaborative on Reforming Education (SCORE) has released a new memo highlighting how policymakers have helped advance early literacy in the state with the help of student performance data, among other key metrics.
Whitehaven STEM lab project remains behind schedule due to funding woes
Shelby County Commissioner Edmund Ford Jr. called on local officials to work together and figure out how to cover the remaining costs needed to construct a new STEM education lab at Whitehaven High School at Wednesday’s Shelby County Education Committee meeting.
Rutherford County Schools says most bus routes are covered despite staffing challenges
The Rutherford County Board of Education discussed transportation and staffing concerns along with updates on funding for technical education programming at Tuesday’s work session meeting.
Memphis-Shelby County Schools Superintendent says district is addressing HVAC issues that led to early student dismissals
Memphis Shelby County School Board officials held a press conference on Tuesday to address community members’ concerns about district infrastructure after students at 12 schools were dismissed early due to issues with HVAC systems on Monday.
Knoxville Preparatory School opens doors for first school year
The public charter school operator Prep Public Schools is looking to replicate the success of Chattanooga Preparatory School with another all-boys charter school that just opened its doors for its first school year last Thursday.
Knox County Schools outlines security strategies for upcoming school year
Knox County Schools officials highlighted new security measures and investments to enhance school safety this school year as part of the district’s ongoing “Safe Schools, Safe Students” initiative.
Lawmakers spread misinformation that a Wilson County school library is closed because of a new state law
A viral tweet from the Tennessee Holler claimed that a Wilson County high school library was closed due to a new state law banning books with inappropriate content, sparking reactions from lawmakers. However, Wilson County Schools' Public Information Officer Bart Barker clarified that the library was temporarily being used for Chromebook and textbook checkouts, a normal procedure at the start of the school year. Barker noted that the library would reopen once the process was complete, and the district has had a book challenge system in place for over two years to comply with state legislation.