The Beam
One subject, reported all the way down. A single Tennessee story every Thursday, with the numbers and the people behind it.
2026
The Beam#21 Nashville Educator Wants to Build an AI School That Stays Human
Ben Schumacher's proposed Horizon Academies would combine personalized learning, strong relationships, and career pathways for Nashville students.
The Beam#20 Nearly One in Five Memphis-Shelby County Schools Educators Resigned in 2024
State data shows educators are leaving MSCS faster than the state average, with the biggest losses at some low-performing schools.
The Beam#19 New Federal Rules Clear Path for Tennessee's K-12 Scholarship Tax Credit Program
Federal guidance sets 2027 launch timeline and opens applications for scholarship organizations across Tennessee.
The Beam#18 Proposed Nashville Charter School Brings Confrontation, Not Its Case, to State Commission
The proposed all-boys school focused on criticism rather than addressing gaps in its application that failed to meet state standards.
The Beam#17 High School Student Logs 382 Hours of Reading to Win Tristar Reads Competition
Tallen Haag has now won the elementary, middle, and high school divisions of the competition across seven years.
The Beam#16 Candidate Calls Baby Pictures Creepy, Jokes About Organ Harvesting in Resurfaced Remarks
Margaret Price joked about a baby on a Missouri billboard in a social media post from 2019.
The Beam#15 Education Freedom Tax Credit Could Raise More Than Initially Projected
New research suggests Tennessee's education tax credit program could generate $377 million with ten percent taxpayer participation.
The Beam#14 Dyer County admits rejecting Trimble Academy without seeking expert guidance
Dyer County commissioners rejected the charter application without consulting anyone with charter school expertise.
The Beam#13 Nashville daycare helping keep public charter school teachers in the classroom
A Nashville daycare's on-site model helps charter school teachers balance work and childcare, reducing turnover.
The Beam#12 On the Fly: State Primary and General Election Preview
Tennessee voters head to polls today to choose nominees for governor, state legislature, and other statewide offices.
The Beam#11 Two new public charter schools approved in Memphis
Memphis board approves two Urban Dove charter schools with unanimous support, while a third applicant remains under consideration.
The Beam#10 Kevin Dyson's Music City Academy Takes on a Titan of a Task
The proposed public charter school faces approval next week in a school district that hasn't approved one since 2021.
The Beam#8 Research finds economically disadvantaged student proficiency gap not closing
Tennessee's economically disadvantaged students are gaining ground on state tests, but the achievement gap remains stubbornly wide.
The Beam#7 State Representative Elaine Davis Wants to Better Support Student Well-Being
Davis
The Beam#6 State testing results show notable improvements in reading
Tennessee students posted significant gains in reading proficiency on state assessments, with officials pointing to recent literacy initiatives.
The Beam#5 State to Consider Targeted Approach to Incentivizing Higher Education
Tennessee lawmakers are weighing a plan to tie university funding to graduate earnings and workforce needs.
The Beam#4 Nation's Report Card finds signs of pandemic recovery
Southern students still trail other regions as national test scores show modest gains from pandemic lows.
The Beam#3 Knox County Schools May Seek Book Ban Law Reform
Knox County Schools superintendent reinstated "Roots" after the district banned it under Tennessee's 2024 book law.
The Beam#2 Neely's Bend High School to Open in August
Neely's Bend Middle School expands to high school this fall, keeping students on track toward graduation.
The Beam#1 Memphis School Board Cites Dated Study in Top Urban School District Claim
The district's claim relies on research that predates the pandemic and uses enrollment figures from at least seven years ago.