Kingsport City Schools math teacher Bryan Kerns is this year’s Tennessee Teacher of the Year
Bryan Kerns, a math and fire management instructor from Kingsport City Schools, has been named the 2024-25 Tennessee Teacher of the Year. Kerns will represent Tennessee in the National Teacher of the Year competition.
Vanderbilt Peabody initiative aims to strengthen global research efforts
Vanderbilt University’s Peabody College is expanding global research efforts with the launch of the Peabody Global Initiatives program, aimed at fostering international partnerships in education and human development.
Sumner County Schools increases number of AP scholars
Sumner County Schools Director Scott Langford told board officials and community members that the district has made significant strides in expanding of advanced placement (AP) programming.
UT President Randy Boyd says five myths are threatening the future of higher education
University of Tennessee President Randy Boyd told business and community leaders in Nashville that five myths are hindering the ability for institutions of higher learning to produce the workforce Tennessee needs.
Williamson County students continue push for arts teacher pay raises
Multiple Williamson County Schools students and community members continued to urge the Williamson County Board of Education to support raises for arts teachers at Monday’s meeting.
New study examines role of socioeconomic factors in racial achievement gaps
A recent study from the Thomas B. Fordham Institute suggests that socio-economic factors like household income and parents’ education play a role in perpetuating schools’ racial achievement gaps.
Memphis-Shelby County school board approves pay raises for school resource officers, STEM lab funding
The Memphis-Shelby County Board of Education approved budget amendments to fund pay raises for school resource officers (SROs) at Tuesday’s special call meeting and work session.
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.
"We cannot become that which we strive to defeat." Rick Scarbrough responds to expected primary result challenge from Rep. Ragan.
Scarbrough beat seven term Representative John Ragan, R-Oak Ridge, by 258 votes in the House District 33 GOP primary. At the time there were no complaints of voter irregularities, but Scarbrough says he expects his former opponent to contest the win anyway.
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.
State Textbook Commission rejects every proposed textbook for two high school science courses
Publishers that produce science textbooks appear to be having trouble meeting Tennessee’s new K-12 science standards.
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.
Six proposed public charter schools appeal denial to state commission
Last month school board members in Nashville and Rutherford County voted down six proposed new public charter schools.Next month supporters from all of them will make their case to the Tennessee Public Charter School Commission for why the decision was the wrong one.
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