The vast majority of Tennessee school districts are seeing improvement on state testing for the 2022/2023 school year.According to district level data released Tuesday by the Tennessee Department of Education, 132 of 147 school districts improved their proficiency rate on the Tennessee Comprehensive Assessment Program (TCAP) compared to the prior school year.While the percentage of results hasn’t returned to pre-COVID levels, new Department of Education Commissioner Lizzette Reynolds praised the improvement.

Shelby County Commissioners chose non-profit leader Mauricio Calvo to fill a vacant spot on the Memphis-Shelby County School Board.District 5 has been without representation since former Board Vice Chair Sheleah Harris’ abrupt resignation last month.At Monday’s meeting, commissioners voted 7 to 4 to confirm Calvo to serve as interim board member until the end of Harris’ term in September 2024. Calvo beat out three other candidates for the appointment.

Shelby County Commissioners chose non-profit leader Mauricio Calvo to fill a vacant spot on the Memphis-Shelby County School Board.District 5 has been without representation since former Board Vice Chair Sheleah Harris’ abrupt resignation last month.At Monday’s meeting, commissioners voted 7 to 4 to confirm Calvo to serve as interim board member until the end of Harris’ term in September 2024. Calvo beat out three other candidates for the appointment.

The approval process for proposed new public charter schools is about to begin its second round for school districts across the state.Four school boards will be voting on amended applications this month from nine public charter schools that were all denied in the spring.

The Knox County Schools board of education approved a policy to allow students to leave school for an hour to earn elective credits for religious courses.The 7-1 decision came with some reservations from board members, including Reverend John Butler. The District 1 board member raised numerous concerns about the vagueness of the policy.

The future of a state law that bans unions from deducting dues from teacher paychecks is now in the hands of three Davidson County chancellors.That panel of Chancery Court judges heard arguments on the payroll deduction ban Thursday afternoon from the Tennessee Education Association (TEA) and the Tennessee Attorney General's office. 

The governing body of middle and high school athletics is cracking down on unruly fans by punishing their schools.Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association (TSSAA) approved new bylaws that fine schools a minimum of $250 when fans are ejected for unsportsmanlike conduct during a sporting event.

A new report by the Tennessee Comptroller found Tennessee students are showing a strong interest in Health Science careers.The Health Science cluster is the most popular choice for students taking career and technical education (CTE) courses in both high school and in college and trade schools according to the Comptroller.Out of more than 74,000 high school students participating in CTE, more than 22 percent are taking health science classes. That’s more than 16,000 students.

Hamilton County Schools announced Dr. Martha McMillan and Alisan Taylor will take over as the new principals for East Ridge Elementary School and Thrasher Elementary School.

The Tennessee Department of Education announced the nine finalists for the Tennessee Principal of the Year of the Year award for 2023-24.Those finalists include three principals from each of the state’s three grand divisions.

Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti’s office fired back at a recently filed lawsuit by the Tennessee Education Association (TEA), saying the suit “lacks merit” to succeed.The TEA filed that lawsuit last month to challenge a provision of the “Teacher Paycheck Protection Act” passed by the Tennessee General Assembly related to union dues. 

Four proposed public charter schools may face a tougher road to finding approval in Memphis.The Memphis-Shelby County Schools (MSCS) charter review team is recommending school board members deny applications from every proposed public charter school this year, including Pathways in Education, CHANGE Academy, Empower Memphis Career and College Prep, and the Tennessee Career Academy.

A “deep dive” review of student support services by Knox County Schools (KCS) found challenges providing resources to special education students and English language learners.That review of the district’s Student Success Division found many parents of these students were unsure where to find resources and a general need for improved communication with families.

Metro Nashville Public Schools (MNPS) has launched a “Back to School” webpage to help families prepare for the new school year that begins August 8.“The morning rings August 8, welcoming students, teachers, and staff in schools across the district - ushering in a traditional and exciting start of a new academic year. We are so glad we'll be back together,” wrote MNPS.In addition to having information to help get families and students ready for back-to-school season, the page provides information and resources for enrolling students, COVID protocols, and transportation.

The Tennessee Comptroller’s Office announced a major undertaking this month to help inform Tennesseans about career and technical education (CTE) .CTE used to be known as vocational and technical education and its courses are designed to help students build specific skills needed for the jobs in their communities.This week the Comptroller plans to release new data on how many students in Tennessee are taking CTE courses and what areas have the highest participation. In the coming weeks the Comptroller plans to launch an interactive dashboard and funding data.

A new poll finds Tennesseans want more out of their state’s education system.The poll on a variety of topics by conservative organization the Beacon Center, found a majority of Tennesseans believe more educational choices are needed, including the need for more charter schools across the state.

Tennessee’s new Education Commissioner is officially on the job.Lizzette Gonzalez Reynolds was sworn in on July 1. She replaces former Commissioner Penny Schwinn who’s headed the Department of Education for the last four and a half years.“I’m so excited to be here, and I’m so excited to work with each and every one of you to continue the work you all have been doing over the past few years. Tennessee is one of those states that have always cared about education and has prioritized education as number one,” said Commissioner Reynolds.

Retaining teachers has been among the most important priorities for school districts throughout the state.To get a better understanding of what can be done to keep high-quality teachers, the Tennessee Department of Education (TDOE) spent the past few months gathering feedback.

Tennessee students showed improvement in all subject areas on this year’s 2022/2023 Tennessee Comprehensive Assessment Program (TCAP), with more than a 3 percent proficiency rate growth in math and science and English language arts proficiency exceeding pre-pandemic scores.The Tennessee Department of Education released the statewide results Thursday afternoon.