Proposed legislation designed to take politics out of the classroom and make it easier for some public charter schools to receive approval
Governor Lee’ is legislation would allow public charter school applicants the ability to apply directly to a state commission in communities with a history of denying charter schools that were later overturned.
Interim Memphis-Shelby Count Schools Superintendent discusses plan to improve communication and rebuild trust
In his new position as Interim Superintendent, Dr. Roderick Richmond said one of his main priorities is to improve communication, which is something administrators, board members, and parents have previously said was lacking.
Multiple news outlets report Congressman John Rose is running for governor
Multiple news outlets along with the Republican Women of Williamson County reported that Rose announced he’s running for governor at a Wednesday event in Williamson County.
Senate Education Committee advances bill to prohibit cell phone use in classrooms
The bill, sponsored by Senator Ferrell Haile, R-Gallatin, requires local boards of education and public charter schools to adopt a policy prohibiting students from using any wireless communication devices during instructional time, with some exceptions.
House committee considering legislation to make schools more available to military recruiters
Multiple lawmakers on the House Education Administration Subcommittee expressed an interest Tuesday in requiring school districts to be more open to military recruitment and potentially require them to provide students the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery test.
Metro Nashville Public Schools’ quarterly testing shows growth, room to improve
All student groups met winter growth targets for math and are on track to meet upcoming growth targets for both math and English language arts according to an update school board members received Tuesday night on the winter 2024 assessments.
Applications filed in 5 counties to open 11 new public charter schools
Novus SMART Academy is among the 11 new start charter applications that met this month’s filing deadline in five school districts across the state.
House Subcommittee advances bill to expand full-service community schools
The bill, sponsored by Representative Kirk Haston, R-Lobelville, establishes a community schools grant program to benefit public schools, administered by the University of Tennessee. Local districts would be able to opt in and apply for grants to create so-called full-service community schools within existing public schools.
State Board of Education critiques Nashville’s history of denying public charter schools
The Tennessee State Board of Education released evaluations this month for how well three local education agencies are overseeing public charter schools. Five overturned decisions contributed to Metro Nashville Public Schools earning just a “satisfactory” score.
State Board of Education debates accountability process for schools receiving a failing School Letter Grade
Beginning in the 2025/2026 school year, the State Board can call for an accountability hearing for any district operating a school that receives an “F” letter grade for the two previous years, or a school whose grade slips from a “D” to “F” in the previous two years.
Hamilton County School Board tables proposed cell phone ban
On Thursday, school board members took up a proposed change to the policy, which would prohibit students from possessing a wireless device on campus during the regular school day.
Deep cuts, scholarship caps proposed by TSU leaders to ease financial strain
The plan would reduce TSU's budget deficit by $32-37 million over the next two fiscal years through staff cuts, scholarship caps, hiring freezes and other cuts.
Lawmakers advance legislation aimed at reducing Tennessee’s teacher shortage
If passed by lawmakers, Senator Dawn White’s bill would make the $5,000 scholarship available to undergraduates and those with an existing degree that are seeking a teaching license, including the roughly 5 thousand Tennesseans who are teaching on a 3-year-permit.
House Subcommittee advances bill to limit cell phones in classrooms
The bill, brought by Representative Rebecca Alexander R-Jonesborough, would require local boards of education and public charter schools to adopt a policy prohibiting students from using any wireless communication devices during instructional time, with a few exceptions.
Comptroller says Madison and Hamilton Counties are the biggest beneficiaries of Tennessee’s new school funding formula
A new Comptroller Report released this week found all of Tennessee’s locally administered school districts received more money during fiscal year 2023/2024 when the state’s new TISA school funding formula went into effect than the prior year.
Davidson County chancellor rules South Nashville students to remain zoned to attend LEAD Cameron Middle School
Myles granted LEAD Public Schools’ request to temporarily halt a controversial school rezoning plan approved by the Metro Nashville Public Schools (MNPS) Board of Education last November that would have diverted children from attending LEAD Cameron as they have been without applying first.
House Subcommittee advances bill to help school districts plan for capital improvements
The School District Capital Improvements Investment Trust Act, sponsored by Representative Kirk Haston R-Lobelville, would allow local school boards to invest any surplus money into the account, which could then only be used for repairs, new building projects, and other capitol improvements for that district.
Business and education leaders discuss classroom to workforce pathway opportunities and challenges
Leaders in business and education came together to discuss new pathways for Tennessee students to find success in their journey from the classroom to the workforce during the Tennessee State Collaborative on Reforming Education (SCORE) annual Future Forward Summit.
Commentary: Expanding the Tennessee Future Teacher Scholarship Act is a commonsense way to address the state’s teacher shortage
When we talk about the state of education in Tennessee, we often hear of staffing shortages and issues caused by teacher retention. Last fall, more than 800 classes in Middle Tennessee alone did not have a full-time educator.
SCORE launches new grant to support innovative education to career programs
The Tennessee State Collaborative on Reforming Education (SCORE) announced the launch of a new grant program called the Future Forward Innovation Grant that’s designed to support education, community, and industry leaders as they design and launch innovative education pathway programs.