Tennessee STEM Innovation Network launches 2024-25 TN Rural STEM Collaborative
According to an announcement, the 2024-25 TN Rural STEM Collaborative will bring together teachers from rural schools across the state for professional development opportunities to enhance their STEM teaching practices.
Tennessee ninth-graders nearly back to pre-pandemic levels in math
An analysis of math testing scores by the State Collaborative on Reforming Education (SCORE) found Tennessee’s ninth-graders are nearly back to pre-pandemic levels.
Three proposed public charter schools in Nashville receive positive recommendation for approval
Supporters of three proposed new public charter schools in Nashville are receiving support from the Executive Director of the state board tasked with deciding their future. Tennessee Public Charter School Commission Executive Director Tess Stovall released written recommendations this week supporting the appeals from Nurses Middle College, LEAD Southeast Elementary, and Encompass Community School.
Three Democrat House challengers outraise Republican opponents in this week’s campaign filings
Tennessee Democrats’ hopes of cutting into at least some of the Republican House supermajority in next Month’s general election received a boost with this week’s campaign filings.
Three Democratic challengers outraised their Incumbent Republican opponents according to third-quarter reports.
Hurricane Helene recovery will be costly, but Governor Lee isn’t interested in using voucher money to fund it
When Tennessee Governor Bill Lee unveiled the details of the $100 million Helene Emergency Assistance Loans (HEAL) Program in a press conference Thursday afternoon, a reporter asked whether he might be willing to dip into the unused funding for his vouchers program. The Governor did not seem interested despite $144 million in voucher funding sitting unused.
Seniors encouraged to take advantage of the ACT Senior Retake Opportunity
The Tennessee Department of Education is encouraging high school seniors to take advantage of the state’s free ACT retake opportunities this fall.
Tennessee was the first state in the nation to offer public high school seniors the opportunity to take the ACT two times for free during normal school hours. Students typically take the test once in the spring of their junior year, and then under the program have an opportunity to retake the ACT in the fall of their senior year.
Wooddale Middle School leaders highlight hands-on programming at charter appeal hearing
Wooddale Middle School leaders are taking their appeal to state leaders after Memphis-Shelby County Schools Board of Education members recently voted to deny Wooddale’s amended application to transfer into the district from the state-run Achievement School District.
New study of education funding determines an unprecedented amount of public money is now available for private school tuition
A new report from the Georgetown University education think tank FutureEd notes that 569,000 K-12 students received public subsidies for private schooling in 2023-24 across eight states with universal school choice programs.
LEAD Public Schools withdraws one charter school appeal and moves ahead with another
Leaders of LEAD Public Schools have decided to drop their appeal for the proposed LEAD Cameron Elementary, and instead focus on the appeal for proposed LEAD Southeast Elementary. Learn more about how the proposed Tennessee charter school would serve Nashville families.
New data shows TISA education funding is improving student proficiency in charter schools
Recent data from the Tennessee Public Charter School Commission (TPCSC) suggests that more work needs to be done to increase English language arts and math proficiency rates within the charter district. However, officials said, TISA funding has led to improvements in proficiency.
Learn more about what the data says.
SCORE report highlights the role of partnerships between districts and educator preparation programs to improve literacy
A new report from the State Collaborative on Reforming Education (SCORE) says partnerships between school districts and education preparation programs are playing a crucial role in ongoing state efforts to improve early literacy instruction.
Memphis School of Excellence leaders make the case to replicate the public charter school’s STEM school model in Nashville
Despite much opposition from Metro Nashville Public Schools (MNPS) leaders, the charter school sponsor Read Foundation is still pushing for the establishment of a new charter school in the district similar to the foundation’s Memphis School of Excellence.
SCORE report highlights the promise of AI in education
A new memo from the State Collaborative on Reforming Education (SCORE) says that more than half of U.S. teachers have never used artificial intelligence tools, despite the growing popularity of AI-driven ed-tech platforms and their potential to enhance instruction.
Learn more about how educators can make use of AI tools for content creation and lesson planning.
Supporters of Nurses Middle College make the case to establish a public charter school focused on preparing students for a nursing career
Supporters of Nurses Middle College made their case to the Tennessee Public Charter School Commission that the proposed public charter school is needed to help better prepare students for a career in nursing.
Six Tennessee schools recognized as National Blue Ribbon Schools
The U.S. Department of Education has named six Tennessee schools as National Blue Ribbon Schools this year including Miller Perry Elementary School in Kingsport, Glenwood Elementary School in Oak Ridge, Early College High School in Nashville, Merrol Hyde Magnet School in Hendersonville, Spanish Immersion at Barksdale in Clarksville, and Jordan Elementary School in Brentwood.
SCORE report finds Tennessee’s new school funding formula has had a ‘positive impact’ on schools
A new memo from the State Collaborative on Reforming Education (SCORE) says the Tennessee Investment in Student Achievement (TISA) school funding formula has had a “positive impact” on schools’ efforts to improve student outcomes.
Half of this school’s students left when Nashville took it over. Supporters say that’s proof families want LEAD Public Schools to serve more children.
Supporters say LEAD Public School's success serving students across Nashville is proof the charter operator should receive approval to open two elementary schools.
A little known state program made private school affordable for Jovie Talbott. This year more students than ever are utilizing it.
When Jovie Talbott moved into her Western Kentucky University dorm this year, it was a milestone her mother Alecia says came with the help of private school designed for students with learning differences and a state program that made it financially possible.
Four reading champs win $1,000 scholarship in Tristar Reads contest
Harpeth Middle School seventh-grader Elijah Riggs won the Tristar Reads contest by logging an average of eight hours each day reading.
Rep. Charlie Baum wants to reduce the “lag” growing school districts face receiving state funding
The monthly payments Tennessee sends school districts are determined based on enrollment last school year. Representative Charlie Baum Districts hopes to reduce the “lag.”