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New Research Finds Tennessee's Teacher Unions are the Third Weakest — The Friday Flicker #2 | Tennessee Firefly
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The Friday Flicker · Issue #2

New Research Finds Tennessee's Teacher Unions are the Third Weakest

Saturday, May 30, 2026 · Sent to 3,158 subscribers

Map of state union rankings (Graphic by Fordham)
Map of state union rankings (Graphic by Fordham)

Good evening.

This week, we took a closer look at a new ranking that found Tennessee teacher unions are among the weakest in the county.

We also had an update on the new state-operated oversight board taking shape in Memphis, a new public charter school hoping to open its doors to an underserved Nashville community, and details on the return of the summer reading contest Tristar Reads.

The Lead

New Research Finds Tennessee’s Teacher Unions are the Third Weakest

By Sky Arnold

Union strength dropped eight places from the Fordham Institute’s last ranking a decade ago.

Read the full story →

Also in this issue

  • Nashville School of Excellence Offers STEM Education to Immigrant Families

    The principal of the proposed public charter school hopes to serve the growing immigrant population in South Nashville.

    Jacob Holley

  • Eight Memphians Appointed to Memphis-Shelby County School Oversight Committee

    Most appointees must be residents of Shelby County

    Jacob Holley

  • Students Across the State Compete in Tristar Reads

    The summer reading contest officially kicks off today

    Jacob Holley

  • LEAD Neely’s Bend High School to Open in August

    The charter school will help students reach for their dreams

    Sky Arnold

  • On the Fly: Nashville School of Excellence Aims to Serve Growing South Nashville Immigrant Population

    We talk to the proposed school's principal

That's all for this week. Next week, look for an update on a historic book that was temporarily banned by Knox County Schools earlier this year. Thanks for reading.

The Friday Flicker

← Previous The Friday FlickerClarksville Parents Criticize Support Following Fatal School Bus CrashNext The Friday Flicker →Knox County Schools to Ask Legislators to Revise Book-Banning Law

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