State Government
Senator Blackburn Threatens Lawsuit Over Possible AI-Generated Attack Ad
The advertisement includes claims that Blackburn’s campaign calls a ‘calculated attempt to deceive viewers.’
State Government
Coverage, analysis, and reporting on state government across Tennessee.
465 articles
State Government
Changes Designed to Support ‘Good-Paying, In-Demand’ Careers Approved
The Tennessee Higher Education Commission passed an important update on Thursday for how colleges and universities are funded.
State Education
Former Senator Lamar Alexander Says Tennessee Needs More Political Competition
Alexander told Nashville leaders that the state made key progress under a two-party system.
State Education
Rep. Cepicky Calls for Renewed Emphasis on a Traditional Classroom
The Culleoka lawmaker plans to propose more reliance on teacher-led instruction and less use of electronics.
State Education
Suburban School Districts Opposed Open Enrollment Efforts
A Tennessee Firefly investigation found that at least one district asked lawmakers to vote down reducing enrollment barriers for nonresident students.
State Government
ACLU Files Suit to Challenge Congressional Redistricting
An ACLU statement called the process for drawing and enacting the map “unprecedented and suspect.”
State Education
Governor Bill Lee Signs Education Freedom Scholarship Expansion
35,000 students will qualify for assistance with private school expenses.
State Government
Four Bills Move Forward to Pave the Way for Redistricting
Lawmakers could approve the redistricting plan today.
State Government
Protestors Flock to Capitol to Oppose Redistricting Special Session
Republican leaders hope to redraw Tennessee's congressional districts less than three months before early voting begins.
State Education
Something is Missing from the Memphis School Intervention Debate
Opponents brought up union concerns this week, but didn’t mention students.
State Education
Legislative Session Wraps with Late Drama, Key Reforms, Historic Investments
One unresolved question was whether lawmakers might further expand the number of families who can use tax dollars for private school expenses.
State Education
House Members Debate Whether Charter Schools are “Real” Public Schools
Rep. Slater pushed back on Rep. Clemmons’ criticism of public charter schools.
State Education
Lawmakers Consider Late Change to Expand Education Savings Account Program
An amendment under consideration would expand the scope of who can qualify to use tax dollars for private school expenses.
State Education
Innovation Committee Chooses Not to Recommend Reductions in State Testing
Members instead provided multiple proposals to improve teacher evaluations and CTE.
State Education
Lawmakers Approve Historic Funding for Public Charter Schools
The plan passed despite Rep. Clemmons’ attempt to strip the funding that supports high-performing schools serving his district.
State Education
Nursing Group Backs Knoxville Representative’s Proposals to Improve School Nurse Access
Rep. Elaine Davis is sponsoring three bills, including one that’s up for a vote Tuesday.
State Education
Accountability Hearing Finds East Tennessee Virtual School Isn’t Taking Daily Attendance
Carter County leaders say the failing virtual school is only taking weekly attendance.
State Education
Representative Scott Cepicky Proposes a Solution to Students Avoiding Algebra I
The lawmaker’s legislation would require some eighth-graders to take the subject.
State Education
House Democrats Break with Senate Counterparts to Block Public School Choice
Representatives Yusuf Hakeem and Sam McKenzie helped preserve barriers for families enrolling out-of-district.
State Education
Grundy County Teachers Poised to Get Their Bonus, Despite Unexpected No Votes
18 Democrats and 1 GOP gubernatorial candidate voted against the bill.
State Education
Senators Unanimously Approve Legislation Reducing Open Enrollment Barriers
The legislation faces a key vote in the House next week.
State Education
House Committee Advances Education Freedom Scholarship Expansion
Democrats fail in bid to increase accountability for the program.
State Education
Sen. Adam Lowe Hopes to Reduce Barriers for Public School Choice
Lowe’s legislation would address challenges students face enrolling in out-of-district schools.
State Education
Education Freedom Scholarship Expansion Passes First Test
The House K-12 Subcommittee advanced the plan on a 5-3 vote on Tuesday morning.
Local Education
Memphis Leaders Announce Plan to Avoid State Intervention
The Local Accountability and Transformation Plan will prioritize four goals.
State Education
Proposed Legislation Could Finally Deliver Bonus to Grundy County Teachers
Grundy County teachers were the only educators in the state who didn’t receive a $2,300 bonus.
State Education
House Subcommittee Advances Potential First Step to Reducing Locally Mandated Tests
The bill requires schools to submit a schedule of local assessments.
State Education
Rep. William Slater Proposes ‘Fair Opportunity’ for Public School Choice
Slater is sponsoring legislation to make it easier to enroll children outside their zoned school district.
State Education
Lt. Gov. Randy McNally Announces Retirement
McNally was first elected to the Tennessee General Assembly in 1978 as a state representative
State Education
Commissioner Reynolds Makes the Case for Investments in Teacher Raises, Summer Learning Camps, and Education Freedom Scholarships
Governor Lee is proposing $339 million in new K-12 spending.
State Education
State Senators Vote Against Policy They Approved 10 Months Ago
Sen. Seal and Hatcher helped reform the approval process for charter schools.
College and Higher Edu...
TSU Leaders Present Progress on Financial Recovery
President Tucker told lawmakers the future is looking up.
State Education
Lawmakers Consider Making Election Day a Holiday for Students
New legislation would make it easier for college students to vote.
State Education
Sports Wagering Council Raises Alarm on Lottery Scholarships Revenue
December saw the first dip in sports betting volume since legalization in Tennessee.
State Education
Poll Finds Voters Oppose Removing Algebra II as a Graduation Requirement and Reductions in Required Exams
Of those surveyed, nearly 67 percent oppose removing Algebra II as a graduation requirement.
State Education
State House Passes Bill to Allow Ten Commandments be Displayed in School Classrooms
State Education
New Poll Finds Voters Support Removing Barriers to Enroll Students Across County Lines
The poll comes as lawmakers are poised to reduce barriers to open enrollment.
State Education
House Democrats Fail to Require the Release of Additional Education Freedom Scholarship Data
The House K-12 subcommittee voted the legislation down on a 2-5 party-line vote Tuesday morning.
College and Higher Edu...
Lottery Scholarship Funds ‘Not Great’ According to Administrators
The current lottery scholarship fund covers 13 programs, including the HOPE scholarship.
State Education
Governor Lee Proposes $155 Million to Double the Number of Education Freedom Scholarships
Lee said demand warrants the investment in what’s expected to be a tighter budget year to expand the number of scholarships to 40,000.
State Education
Applications for the Education Freedom Scholarship Program Exceed Last Year’s Total with Two Weeks Left to Apply
According to a news release, the Tennessee Department of Education has received more than 50,304 new and renewal applications for the program that allows famili...
State Education
Tennessee Republican Proposal Could Send Student Immigration Data to ICE
State Republican leaders announced a series of bills on Thursday designed to target illegal immigration, including one that would require a verification of whet...
State Education
Memphis Lawmakers Reach Agreement on Plan to Enable State Intervention into Memphis-Shelby County Schools
State Senator Brent Taylor has agreed to move forward with State Representative Mark White’s plan to create a state-appointed oversight board for Memphis-Shelby...
State Education
New Poll Finds Strong Support for Expanding School Choice and Open Enrollment
More than 60 percent of respondents said they support expanding the Education Freedom Scholarship and adopting policies that allow parents to send their childre...
State Education
Education Savings Account Participants Grow Math Proficiency by More than 70 Percent in the Program’s First Three Years
Just 11 percent of participating students tested proficient in math on state testing during the program’s initial 2022-23 year. That number rose to 19.5 percent...
State Education
State Senator Bill Powers Proposes Legislation to Collect ‘Early Warning Signs’ in Schools
The “Early Behavioral Intervention and Reporting Act” defines those signs as including students engaging in or being the victim of harassment, intimidation, bul...
State Education
Report Finds Tennessee Students Outperforming Southern States on the ACT
Tennessee’s average composite ACT score of 19.3 in 2025 is higher than every other southern state with an estimated participation rate of at least 91 percent on...
Local Education
Memphis-Shelby County School Board Challenges the Constitutionality of Re-Election Shake-Up
Board attorneys argue that election officials had no authority to place the terms of five school board members up for re-election two years early.
College and Higher Edu...
TSU Board of Trustees Receives Positive Recommendation for Financial Stewardship
The recommendation is the latest milestone for TSU’s financial recovery, following the General Assembly’s decision to oust the university’s prior Board of Trust...
State Government
Commissioner Michael Lankford Wins House Seat Appointment with the Assistance of His Opponent’s Former Supporter
The final 9-9 vote came along party lines, with Republicans on the Montgomery County Commission supporting Lankford and Democrats supporting their party’s nomin...
State Government
Tennessee Library Association Pushes Back on Order to Conduct Age-Appropriate Book Review
Hargett sent a letter to all 181 libraries in the Tennessee Regional Library System requesting the review in late October.
State Education
Knox County School Board Plans Vote on Thursday Whether to Oppose Education Barriers for Undocumented Children
The proposed policy priority is in response to legislation state lawmakers considered earlier this year that would allow school districts the option of refusing...
State Education
House Education Chairs Offer Different Responses to Proposed Associate’s Degree Teaching Program
Under the proposal House Speaker Cameron Sexton plans to unveil next year, K-6 grade teachers would only need two years of higher education and an internship.
State Education
Representative Mark White Proposes Plan to Improve Childcare
Representative White said that too many parents across the state lack access to childcare, either because of a shortage of available slots or because of cost.
State Education
ACLU Representing Legal Challenge to the Tennessee Education Freedom Scholarship Act
Parents named in the suit argue the program violates the Education Clause of the Tennessee Constitution by diverting funds from public schools and preventing st...
Elections
School Board Appointment Could Provide a Preview for Next Month’s Decision to Fill the Late Rep. Jeff Burkhart’s Seat
Montgomery County Commissioners voted 11 to 8 to appoint a Republican nominee to the board in a move that at least one commissioner felt was influenced by polit...
State Education
Organization Founded by Hamilton County Mayor Weston Wamp Argues Tennessee ‘Must Prepare’ for Federal Education Funding Reductions
A new report from the Millennial Debt Foundation’s In the Black initiative argues that federal education funding “rests on shaky long-term economic foundations”...
State Government
Governor Lee Considers Requests from TSU for Maintenance Funding and a New College of Medicine Building from the UT System
TSU President Dwayne Tucker told Governor Bill Lee on Thursday that his university’s finances are improving, but it still needs help with deferred maintenance.
State Education
Department of Education Requests $30 Million for Summer Camps
Education Commissioner Lizzette Reynolds reported that roughly 90,000 students have been participating in the camps each summer, and 73 percent of those student...
National Education
Amid Federal Shutdown, Tennessee Weighs Impact of Potential School Funding Changes on Disadvantaged Students
Tennessee lawmakers pressed state education officials this week for answers on how the ongoing federal shutdown and potential Trump-backed block grant proposals...
State Education
House Speaker Proposes Removing Bachelor’s Degree Requirement for Elementary and Middle School Teachers
In an interview with the Tennessee Firefly, Sexton said he’ll propose creating an associate’s degree program for future kindergarten through sixth grade teacher...
State Education
Lawmakers Poised to Review the Need for Locally Mandated Tests
At Thursday’s Advisory Committee on Innovations in K-12 Education meeting, lawmakers agreed to recommend that the Department of Education conduct a full review ...
State Education
Teachers Union Calls for Ending Annual Evaluations for Every Teacher, Even Though Polls Show Most Oppose the Change
The recommendations come in advance of the final meeting of the Advisory Committee on Innovations in K-12 Education on Thursday.
State Education
Tennessee Sets New Record with 92.3 Percent Graduation Rate in 2024-25 School Year
Tennessee has achieved a record-high graduation rate of 92.3 percent for the 2024–25 school year, according to new data from the Tennessee Department of Educati...
State Government
Tennessee Education Subcommittee Chair Wants to Reduce Locally Mandated Tests and Build Better Career Pathways for Students
Representative Scott Cepicky tells the Tennessee Firefly he plans to introduce legislation next year to regulate local benchmarks and improve career pathways fo...
Local News
Tennessee Comptroller says Rutherford County Homeowners Overpaid Thousands Due to Faulty Property Assessments
Rutherford County homeowners may soon receive tax refunds after a Tennessee Comptroller investigation found that thousands have been overpaying for years due to...
State Education
Tennessee Commission Denies Four Memphis Charter School Proposals
The Tennessee Public Charter School Commission voted Friday to deny four Memphis charter school proposals, including two new schools and two currently operating...
State Education
Tennessee Names Finalists for 2025–26 Principal and Supervisor of the Year Awards
The Tennessee Department of Education has announced the finalists for the 2025–26 Principal and Supervisor of the Year awards, recognizing outstanding school an...
State Education
Tennessee Gubernatorial Candidate Votes Against Continuing the State Department of Education
Tennessee gubernatorial candidate and state lawmaker Monty Fritts was the only legislator to oppose continuing the Tennessee Department of Education during this...
Local Education
Knox County Leaders Oppose Knoxville Sales Tax Increase as Early Voting Begins
Knox County and state leaders are urging voters to reject Knoxville’s proposed $47 million sales tax increase, arguing the measure would add to residents’ finan...
State Education
Tennessee Charter Commission Executive Director Recommends Denial for Four Memphis Charter School Proposals
Tennessee Charter Commission Executive Director Tess Stovall has recommended denying four Memphis charter school proposals, citing concerns over financial readi...
State Education
SCORE Recommends Tennessee Revise Its College Funding Formula to Focus on Student Success
Tennessee SCORE is urging the state to update its higher education funding formula to better reward colleges for helping students earn degrees that lead to stro...
State Education
Tennessee Charter Commission Moves Closer to Approving Opportunity Public Charter School Expectations
The Tennessee Public Charter School Commission advanced a proposed framework Tuesday outlining how it will evaluate Opportunity Public Charter Schools serving a...
State Education
Nashville Named One of Six U.S. Cities for Amazon Skills to Jobs Alliance
Nashville has been selected as one of six U.S. cities to join Amazon Web Services’ Skills to Jobs Tech Alliance, a national initiative bridging education and wo...
State Education
2026–27 FAFSA Application Opens for Tennessee Students
The Tennessee Higher Education Commission announced that the 2026–27 FAFSA is now open, the earliest launch in history, giving students and families more time t...
State Education
Which Tennessee Degrees Pay Off? New Research Highlights Programs Tied to Economic Self-Sufficiency
Last week, Nashville-based education organization TN SCORE outlined which types of Tennessee postsecondary programs lead to employment where earnings are enough...
State Education
Tennessee Lawmakers Debate Future of Algebra II and Other Core Subjects as Graduation Requirements
Tennessee lawmakers and education leaders clashed this week over whether students with a career and technical education (CTE) focus might be able to substitute ...
State Education
Tennessee Lawmakers Discuss Tweaks to a Testing System Experts Say is Already Driving Student Improvement
The Advisory Committee on Innovations in K-12 Education will make recommendations for the General Assembly to consider next year on testing and other education ...
State Education
Four Tennessee Lawmakers Recognized as “Team Kid Heroes” for Supporting Education Policies
Education advocacy organization Tennesseans for Student Success (TSS) recognized four state lawmakers for their leadership in education policy during the 2025 l...
Elections
U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn Calls for Removing Barriers to Open Public Charter Schools
The U.S. Senator utilized her appearance at Nashville Collegiate Prep’s high school grand opening to promote her support for removing barriers that organization...
Local Education
Memphis Residents Champion Proposed Charter School as a Fix for a District That’s “Failed Thousands”
Memphis-based community members, including parents and retired educators, spoke out in support of a proposed public charter school they hope will help bandage a...
State Education
Tennessee Education Freedom Scholarship Program Reaches Capacity in First Year
Tennessee’s new Education Freedom Scholarship (EFS) program has filled all 20,000 available seats in its first year, according to TDOE.
State Education
New Research Provides a Caution as Tennessee Lawmakers Consider Potential Reductions in Graduation Requirements for CTE Students
Tennessee lawmakers are reconsidering graduation requirements for career and technical education (CTE) students, but new national research raises caution.
Elections
Tennessee Gubernatorial Candidates Take a Stand on Sending National Guard to Memphis
Both leading Republican candidates in the 2026 governor’s race are applauding President Trump’s decision that also appears to have given one Democratic candidat...
College and Higher Edu...
Reaction to the Assassination of Conservative Activist Charlie Kirk Leads to Controversy at Two Tennessee Universities
Hours after the shooting, comments on X from a now-former employee at Middle Tennessee State University led to condemnation from lawmakers and university leader...
State Education
Fewer Tennessee Grads Heading to College, but Future Trends Signal a Rebound
Tennessee’s college-going rate for the Class of 2024 has dropped to 56 percent, with the steepest declines among minority and low-income students.
State Government
Representative Monty Fritts Pledges to Challenge the ‘Nashville Establishment' with 2026 Gubernatorial Run
In a video posted on his campaign website, Fritts attempted to distance himself from fellow Republican gubernatorial candidates Congressman John Rose and Senato...
State Government
‘What Gets Measured Gets Done,’ Rep. John Rose Commits to Protecting Tennessee’s Assessment and Teacher Evaluation Systems if Elected Governor
In an interview with the Tennessee Firefly’s On the Fly podcast, Rose said he’d be open to tweaks to assessments and evaluations, but believes the state should ...
Local Education
Nashville Symposium Explores How Environmental Factors Shape Student Success
Extreme weather, rising temperatures, and other environmental changes are affecting how Tennessee students learn and thrive, and experts say action is needed no...
Local Education
Memphis Students to Receive Gun Safety Education This Month
Lawmakers passed the legislation last year, requiring every public school district in the state to develop an age-appropriate curriculum for all grade levels, i...
State Education
Tennessee Virtual School Enrollment Distorts Funding, Officials Warn
Virtual students in Tennessee are causing unexpected distortions in how the state calculates school funding, according to findings presented Thursday by the Ten...
State Government
Senator Blackburn says Tennessee Needs a Leader, not a Manager, to Take Advantage of President Trump’s Plans to Shrink the Federal Government
Blackburn told supporters she plans to do four things “extremely well” if elected governor - keep taxes low, simplify licensing requirements, ensure government ...
State Education
Tennessee Lawmakers Stress the Importance of Accountability in Moves to Remove Teacher Licensure Barriers
As Tennessee education leaders are moving forward with major changes to teacher licensure requirements, state legislators emphasized the need for these measures...
State Education
Tennessee Lawmakers Express Interest in Tweaks to the Teacher Evaluation System while Preserving its Annual Timeline
Currently, 96 percent of teachers receive a level of effectiveness of meeting expectations or higher on the Tennessee Educator Acceleration Model (TEAM) evaluat...
National Education
New Survey Finds Most Parents Would Send Their Kids to Private School if Tax Dollars Were Available
A new national survey reveals that most parents would send their children to private or religious schools if public funding were available, signaling a major sh...
State Education
Tennessee’s $9.5 Billion School Funding Plan Provides Fewer State Dollars Per Student than the Education Freedom Scholarship Plan
Tennessee education officials on Friday unveiled the full set of public-school funding allocations for districts across the state, and the average portion the s...
State Education
Teacher’s Union President Encourages Advisory Committee to Recommend Reducing the Frequency of Evaluations
The Tennessee Education Association reaffirmed its support for proposed legislation from earlier this year it called “Freedom to Teach,” that would have removed...
State Education
Tennessee Charter Schools Face $1,500 Per-Pupil Facilities Funding Gap, Survey Finds
Tennessee’s public charter schools face an estimated $1,500 per-pupil facilities funding gap compared to traditional public schools, according to new data from ...
College and Higher Edu...
Trump-Appointed Education Secretary Linda McMahon Visits Tennessee to Promote State-Led School Policy and Literacy Gains
U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon visited Tennessee on Wednesday as part of her nationwide “Returning Education to the States” tour,.
State Education
Tennessee Teachers Oppose Classroom Cellphone Use but Are Interested in Artificial Intelligence, Survey Finds
A new statewide poll of Tennessee teachers found many remain skeptical of cellphone use at school.
State Education
Poll: Tennessee Teachers Strongly Support Student-First Teacher Performance Evaluations
More than 80 percent of Tennessee teachers surveyed hold positive views of the state’s student-outcomes-based teacher evaluation system, according to the 2025 T...
State Education
Future Tennessee Teachers Can Now Qualify for Loan Forgiveness with Fewer Requirements
Aspiring Tennessee teachers now have a clearer and more affordable pathway into the classroom. THEC voted this week to revise the TN Future Teacher Scholarship ...
Elections
Senator Marsha Blackburn Highlights Support for School Choice in Gubernatorial Campaign Announcement
Blackburn promised to make Tennessee America’s number one “job-creating, energy-producing powerhouse” and highlighted her support for President Trump and his pr...
State Education
Tennessee Foreign Language Graduation Requirement Debate Sparks Outcry: Some Warn of ‘Devastating Consequences’
Tennessee State Board of Education (SBE) Chairman Robert Eby’s proposed study of Tennessee’s foreign language graduation requirement is sparking backlash from e...
National Education
Trump’s Plan to Eliminate U.S. Education Department Could Reshape Tennessee Schools, Lawmakers Say
Tennessee lawmakers convened the Joint Federal Education Deregulation Cooperation Task Force Tuesday morning assess the impact of President Donald Trump’s propo...
State Education
Tennessee Lawmakers Reconsider 180-Day School Calendar Amid Push for Flexible Scheduling
A new state legislative advisory committee met Thursday in Nashville to explore whether the state’s current 180-day school calendar should be replaced by a more...
State Education
As Lawmakers Convene Hearings on Potentially Reducing Testing and Teacher Evaluations, a New Poll Shows Republican Voters Overwhelmingly Support Preserving Both
TSS’ poll of 1,000 Republican voters found 86 percent consider it important for public school students to receive annual statewide assessments and 91 percent su...
State Education
Eight Tennessee Lawmakers Named to a New Committee That’s Studying Testing and Teacher Evaluation Reductions
The Advisory Committee on Innovations in K-12 Education will additionally discuss potential changes to the academic requirements for career and technical educat...
State Education
New Poll: Tennessee Republican Voters Strongly Back School Choice, Academic Accountability
A new poll of 500 likely Republican primary voters in Tennessee reveals overwhelming support for school choice, parental control, and academically based reforms...
Local Education
Grundy County School Board Rolls Back Controversial Denial of Teacher Bonuses
Grundy County teachers may get their $2,300 bonus after all, but it will come a year late following Tuesday night’s vote.
National Education
Trump Administration’s Stance in Support of Testing may be in Direct Conflict with Recent Proposals from Tennessee Lawmakers
The president’s request to Congress includes specific support for states to continue administering testing as part of their ongoing implementation of the Every ...
State Government
House speaker alleges Memphis-County Schools’ staff destroyed documents in advance of a state audit
The audit was among multiple options lawmakers considered for the district, following the controversial firing of former Superintendent Marie Feagins after less...
State Government
Do you know how your elected officials voted on education issues this year? A new tool will help.
A total of 94 legislators received an "A" score of 90 to 100 and 27 lawmakers received a failing score of a "D" (60 - 69) or "F" (below 60).
Local Education
Metro Nashville Board of Education may be avoiding a new state law by scheduling its charter school vote a month early
The board unexpectedly decided late last week to hold votes on amended applications from the Rock Academy, the Forge School, and Rocketship Public Schools at Tu...
Local News
Nashville Mayor says government resources are being stretched by federal immigration inquiry
Speaking before at the Rotary Club of Nashville Monday, O’Connell reaffirmed that his office has done nothing to warrant the investigations now underway in the ...
State Education
Governor Lee signs legislation designed to give students a bigger voice in their education
Lawmakers passed the legislation last month that requires each school district in the state to create a policy for a student to serve as a nonvoting school boar...
Local Education
Memphis-Shelby County School Board issues statement of support for undocumented students
The resolution states that the district’s legal department has provided guidance to principals about how to respond to requests or visits from ICE so that “no i...
State Education
Governor signs legislation supporters say will improve the application process for public charter schools
Under the new law, charter operators that want to replicate an existing academic model, or public colleges and universities that want to establish charters, now...
State Education
State officials explain how they addressed challenges during the launch of the new Education Freedom Scholarship plan
Lawmakers on the Joint Government Operations Committee met Monday to review administration rules for the newly launched Education Freedom Scholarship program an...
State Education
More than 33,000 apply for the Education Freedom Scholarship
Governor Bill Lee signed the legislation creating the program in February, allowing up to 20 thousand families to use $7,295 in taxpayer dollars to pay for priv...
College and Higher Edu...
State Comptroller audit details the financial challenges Tennessee State University’s new leadership must tackle
According to the Comptroller’s audit, Tucker is inheriting a university that ended the 2022/23 fiscal year in June 2023 with an operating revenue loss of more t...
Elections
Five Memphis-Shelby County School Board seats could be up for re-election two years early
County commissioners could use new legislation to align school board races with other county elections, even if that meant shortening some board members’ terms.
State Education
State to begin accepting applications for the Tennessee Education Freedom Scholarship on May 15
The Tennessee Department of Education plans to launch the application portal at 10 P.M. CT according to a news release sent to the Tennessee Firefly.
State Education
TSSAA creates student advisory committee as lawmakers question the association’s future
This week, State Representative Scott Cepicky, R-Culleoka, and State Senator Adam Lowe, R-Calhoun, said they plan to explore whether the TSSAA should continue t...
State Education
This year’s legislative session attracted headlines for what didn’t pass but important changes did make it through to benefit students
Among the bills that did pass were multiple changes to help Tennessee’s public charter schools.
Local Education
Metro Nashville Public Schools Board of Education denies every public charter school application after two members say publicly that they oppose the concept of charters
The board voted down applications from the Rock Academy, the Forge School, and Rocketship Public Schools Tuesday.
State Education
Lawmakers pass conflicting bills to enable state intervention into Memphis-Shelby County Schools, tabling it for the year
The future of legislation to enable state-intervention into Memphis-Shelby County Schools could be decided in a conference committee.
State Education
Lawmakers opt to study Tennessee’s testing and accountability system instead of weakening it
If approved by the Tennessee House, the bill will create a ten-member advisory committee that also studies the academic requirements for career and technical ed...
State Government
Representative Scott Cepicky moves bill to legalize one-time transfers for school athletes to next year’s calendar
The measure would allow a student to transfer to another school without losing athletic eligibility provided the sending school does not attest the transfer was...
State Education
Lawmakers pass legislation proposed by Middle Tennessee students
The Tennessee House passed legislation proposed by students Wednesday that requires each school district in the state to create a policy for a student to serve ...
State Education
Memphis school intervention bill heads to both chambers’ floors with key questions unanswered
If each chamber passes its version, the final details of one of the most talked about pieces of legislation this session would be decided in a conference commit...
Elections
Bill locking in local primaries passes House vote despite pushback from some Republicans
Legislation that prevents Tennessee counties from switching to a caucus for local partisan elections passed a House vote Monday and now heads to Governor Bill L...
State Education
Tennessee House shows increased support for public charter schools
Members of the Tennessee House sent a sign of increased support for innovative education options Monday by voting 70 to 19 in favor of legislation that supporte...
Elections
Senator Johnson and Representative Reeves want to ensure voting remains convenient in county primaries. Why is their own county’s GOP chapter opposing them?
The lawmakers are proposing legislation that ensures every county that currently uses a primary for local partisan races continues to do so and prohibits them f...
State Education
Metro Nashville Public Schools has two students on its school board. Soon every district in the state could have one.
Lawmakers are currently considering legislation that would require each school district to create a policy for a non-voting student school board member.
State Education
State Senate passes bill allowing one-time transfer rule for high school athletes
The measure from State Senator Adam Lowe, R-Calhoun, would allow a student to transfer to another school due to a significant academic, social-emotional, enviro...
State Education
Hamilton County Senator Bo Watson faces pushback from Chattanooga educators and business leaders for bill impacting undocumented students
On Wednesday, the Hamilton County Principals Association issued a statement opposing the bill, calling it a threat and a contradiction to professional ethics an...
State Education
Lawmakers question the performance of public charter schools, even though the schools are outperforming traditional public schools in their district
State Representatives John Ray Clemmons, D-Nashville, and Antonio Parkinson, D-Memphis, both serve districts where multiple public charter schools are outperfor...
State Education
Divided House Committee provides positive recommendation to legislation authorizing school districts to deny undocumented students
It received a positive recommendation on a narrow 8-7 margin, with Representative Jeremy Faison, R- Cosby, joining six Democrats on the committee voting against...
State Education
State Senate passes legislation that would prohibit public school teachers from asking a student’s preferred pronoun
The bill from Senator Paul Rose would extend existing pronoun policy to students and prohibit teachers from asking students to call them by a name or pronoun in...
State Education
State representative pushes for task force to examine the impact of President Trump’s education cuts
The legislation would create what a federal education deregulation cooperation task force charged with investigating the Tennessee impact of recent presidential...
State Education
House Education Committee advances state intervention bill for Memphis-Shelby County Schools
Speaking to House Education Committee members Wednesday evening, Representative Mark White said only 17 percent of the district’s students demonstrate proficien...
State Government
House committee breaks with the Senate on bill to reduce Tennessee’s testing system
Representative Mark Cochran, R-Englewood, announced Wednesday morning that he plans to amend his legislation without including the key compromise announced in t...
State Education
Knoxville lawmakers share misinformation about public charter schools to attack legislation that supports them
Legislation that supporters say will help ensure public charter schools are approved timely and without political bias advanced from the House Education Committ...
State Education
Bill requiring student citizenship verification passes key Senate committee vote
Watson told committee members his bill is meant to help gather information and ease what he calls a financial burden placed on local districts with English lang...
Local Education
Lawmakers could pass legislation designed to ensure parents are notified about school threats Monday
State Representative Rick Scarbrough is co-sponsoring legislation that would require school districts that report credible threats of violence or significantly ...
State Education
Potential compromise reached to study Tennessee’s testing and accountability system, instead of weakening it
Senator Lowe’s legislation would create a ten-member advisory committee appointed by state leaders to study the state’s testing and accountability systems.
State Education
Legislation allowing state intervention into Memphis-Shelby County Schools advances following debate by two Memphis lawmakers
Under the bill, the education commissioner would be able to recommend the removal of the director of schools and some or all school board members.
State Education
Bi-partisan opposition fails to stop legislation that would let school districts charge undocumented students tuition
The U.S. Supreme Court’s 5-4 Plyler vs. Doe decision prohibits public schools from refusing to admit undocumented students and the legislation is envisioned by ...
State Education
Memphis Shelby County School Board pushes back against proposed state intervention
During a school board meeting Tuesday night, the MSCS board voted unanimously to support a resolution opposing state intervention and calling on other elected o...
Local Education
House Education Committee advances bill allowing merit-based pay for public school teachers
The bill, brought by Speaker Pro Tempore Pat Marsh, R-Shelbyville, would allow local school boards to introduce a merit-based pay structure to award additional ...
State Education
Republican Senators unanimously support legislation to ensure the approval process for public charter schools is fair
The Governor Bill Lee backed legislation would allow charter applicants the ability to apply directly to the charter commission if they want to open a school in...
State Education
House subcommittee narrowly advances legislation to reduce testing for high school students
Elections
Congressman John Rose launches gubernatorial campaign with a promise to appoint an education commissioner with Tennessee teaching experience
The 6th district congressman made a commitment to appoint a commissioner for the Department of Education that has experience in a Tennessee classrom
State Education
Senate Committee advances expansion of original Education Savings Account program, despite passage of the Education Freedom Scholarship Act
Senator Todd Gardenhire’s, R-Chattanooga, legislation would expand the Education Savings Account (ESA) pilot program implemented in 2022 to include students in ...
State Education
House subcommittee advances legislation that would reduce high school testing
Representative Cochran’s legislation removes every end of course assessment high school students take but science and instead requires students to take a postse...
State Education
Memphis-Shelby County School Board puts division over superintendent aside to oppose state intervention
School board members unanimously supported a resolution Tuesday night opposing state intervention in the Tennessee school district and calling on elected offici...
State Education
State Representative Mark White narrows state intervention bill to only impact Memphis-Shelby County Schools
Representative White’s amended legislation would empower the commissioner of the Department of Education to recommend the governor, speaker of the house, and li...
State Education
House subcommittee advances plan to eliminate the Achievement School District and create a new model for struggling schools
Legislation presented by Representative Debra Moody, R-Covington, Tuesday would sunset the state ASD, replacing it with a progressive, three-tiered intervention...
State Education
Proposed legislation could relegate the Memphis-Shelby County School Board and others to an “advisory capacity”
The legislation, referred to as the Tennessee Public School Accountability Act, would allow the commissioner of the Department of Education to recommend the gov...
State Education
Senate Education Committee advances legislation to make it easier for public charter schools to seek approval
Senator Adam Lowe’s legislation would allow charter applicants the ability to apply directly to the Tennessee Public Charter School Commission if they want to o...
College and Higher Edu...
Committee advances Representative Bulso’s proposal to prohibit transgender students from using multi-occupant bathrooms of their identified sex
Bulso’s bill would require restrooms, changing areas, and showers that are multi-occupant to be segregated by sex in residential education programs involving mi...
State Education
162 private schools signal interest in participating in the Education Freedom Scholarship Program
That list includes more than three dozen schools in Shelby County and more than two dozen in Davidson.
State Education
House subcommittee advances legislation that would let school districts deny undocumented students
Representative William Lamberth’s, R-Portland, bill would give school districts the option to refuse to enroll students that do not have legal immigration statu...
State Education
Lawmakers to consider reducing student testing and teacher evaluation requirements
Representative Cochran’s amendment would reduce elementary and middle school testing by continuing to require annual state ELA and math assessments but only req...
State Government
Organization formed to oppose state takeover of Memphis-Shelby County Schools says district problems are better solved locally
Thursday the group held one of it’s first community discussions involving panelists who acknowledged the critical issues within the district but believe these p...
State Education
House Speaker says Tennessee may audit Memphis-Shelby County Schools for fraud in addition other state intervention
Speaker Cameron Sexton said leaders in the House and Senate are still working out the details of legislation to create state intervention into Memphis-Shelby Co...
State Education
Senate Education Committee passes bill requiring student citizenship verification in narrow vote
The bill would require public school districts to collect documentation during enrollment proving students are U.S. citizens, in the process of obtaining citize...
State Education
House Education Administration Subcommittee advances bill to mandate more recess time in elementary schools
The bill, sponsored by Representative Scott Cepicky, R-Culleoka, would require local school districts to integrate 40 minutes of recess time per day for element...
State Education
House subcommittee advances legislation that would make it easier for some public charter schools to receive approval
The proposed legislation would allow charter applicants the ability to apply directly to the Tennessee Public Charter School Commission if they want to open a s...
State Education
Bill to limit cell phones in classrooms statewide passes House vote
The bill requires local boards of education and public charter schools to adopt a policy prohibiting students from using any wireless communication devices duri...
State Education
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 d...
State Education
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 f...
State Education
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 re...
State Education
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 g...
College and Higher Edu...
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.
State Education
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 seeki...
State Education
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 prohi...
State Education
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...
Local Education
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 a...
State Government
State officials warn of potential $20 million lottery scholarship funding shortfall
Explosive program growth and a drop in lottery revenues prompted Tennessee Higher Education Commission officials to warn state lawmakers of a projected shortfal...
State Education
Governor Lee signs Education Freedom Scholarship Act
The more than $400 million dollar piece of legislation, frequently referred to by opponents as “school vouchers,” will allow up to 20 thousand children across t...
State Education
SCORE unveils new objectives aimed at ensuring Tennessee students succeed in the classroom and beyond
In a presentation before lawmakers of the House Education Committee, State Collaborative on Reforming Education (SCORE) representatives outlined several five ye...
State Education
Governor Lee unveils new plans for technical education and K-12 spending in State of State address
Fresh off the passage of his plan to let parents use tax dollars to send children to private school during last month’s special session, Lee used the annual add...
State Education
Democrats blast proposal to let school districts refuse to enroll undocumented students
Senate Democratic Party leaders released a statement Tuesday night attacking newly filed legislation that would authorize school districts to refuse to admit un...
State Education
TSSAA denies one-time transfer rule for high school athletes
Members of the Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association (TSSAA) Legislative Council voted down multiple proposed rule changes largely designed to make it...
State Education
State lawmakers pass Governor Lee’s Education Freedom Scholarship Act
The Tennessee State House voted 53 to 45 Thursday afternoon to approve Governor Bill Lee’s plan to let families use taxpayer dollars to send their children to p...
State Government
Governor Lee’s Education Freedom Scholarship plan poised for floor votes
The legislation comfortably advanced out of the House and Senate Education Committees Tuesday with just two Republicans, joining all Democrats voting against it...
State Government
Special Session convenes with major shakeup to the House Education Committee
Tennessee House Speaker Cameron Sexton, R-Crossville, opened the first day of the special session on Governor Bill Lee’s Education Freedom Scholarship Act of 20...
News
Tennessee Public Charter School Commission renews agreements with LEAD Neely’s Bend, Libertas, and Cornerstone Prep Denver
The Tennessee Public Charter School Commission voted Friday to renew the ten-year charter agreements for LEAD Neely’s Bend, Libertas School of Memphis, and Corn...
State Education
Repayment of lost revenue for school districts could play an important role in next week’s special session on “school vouchers”
One major difference between Governor Bill Lee’s proposal this year to let families use public dollars to send their children to private school, sometimes refer...
Local Education
Representative Mark White says state intervention needed in Memphis-Shelby County Schools following Superintendent firing
State Representative Mark White, R-Memphis, says he’s working on legislation to provide Tennessee with the ability to intervene in the Memphis-Shelby County Sch...
News
Tennessee House returns to culture wars with resolution opposing trans women competing in collegiate women’s sports
The Tennessee House of Representatives passed a jointed resolution Thursday to signal lawmakers’ support for Riley Gaines, a former swimmer known for campaignin...
State Education
Senator Dawn White named new Senate Education Committee Chair
Tennessee Lieutenant Governor Randy McNally, R-Oak Ridge, named former teacher, Senator Dawn White, R-Murfreesboro, as chair the Senate Education Committee that...
State Education
Governor Lee announces special session on vouchers for January 27
After weeks of speculation, Governor Bill Lee officially announced his decision Wednesday morning to call for a special session on January 27 to address his Edu...
State Education
Leaders of the Tennessee House and Senate keep their posts for the 114th General Assembly
State Senators re-elected Lieutenant Governor Randy McNally, R- Oak Ridge, as Speaker with a 26 to 0 vote and Representative Cameron Sexton, R-Crossville, to se...
News
Representative Mike Sparks floats proposal to reduce minimum age of school bus drivers
Rep. Mike Sparks, R-Smyrna, has proposed reducing the minimum age for school bus drivers from 25 to 21 to help school districts find more qualified bus drivers ...
State Education
Lawmakers expected to vote on vouchers in a special session following President-elect Trump’s inauguration
It’s believed Governor Lee will call for a special session on his Education Freedom Scholarship Act of 2025 in late January, following the inauguration of Presi...
News
Poll shows widespread support for expanding charter schools, private school vouchers
A new statewide poll from the Beacon Center of Tennessee indicates that 61 percent of Tennesseans support expanding charter schools statewide, with only 14 perc...
News
Proposed legislation would allow immediate sports eligibility for high school transfers
State Rep. Scott Cepicky, R-Culleoka, has proposed legislation for the upcoming session that could move the state’s high school athletics governing body to allo...
News
2024 Year in Review: School threats, voucher debate, book bans and more
From school threats to book bans and higher-ed funding debacles, 2024 marked a year of controversy and contention among education policymakers.
News
Libertas School of Memphis ‘on track’ for 10-year renewal
Since opening its doors nearly a decade ago, Libertas School of Memphis has gained support from local community members in the Frayser area for showing a “stron...
News
Tennessee bill would allow schools to display Ten Commandments
A Tennessee legislator recently introduced a new bill that would allow public schools to display the Ten Commandments on school property.
News
Tennessee lawmakers introduce legislation to make pre-kindergarten free for all four-year-olds
Tennessee Sen. Charlane Oliver, D-Nashville, and State Rep. Aftyn Behn, D-Nashville, recently introduced legislation to make pre-kindergarten free and accessibl...
State Education
State Board of Education defines expectations for new opportunity public charter schools
The 9 members of the Tennessee State Board of Education unanimously approved new rules that govern expectations for future opportunity charter schools.
News
Tennessee State University leaders still working out details to stabilize finances
Tennessee State University officials told state leaders Monday that the university is currently looking for new ways to save money, amid concerns about financia...
News
End-of-course exams will now have less impact on high school students’ final grades
End-of-course exams for public high school students in Tennessee will now have less of an impact on students’ final grades, according to state education leaders...
News
Charter School Commission approves new location for Empower Memphis and an additional opening grade for Invictus Nashville Charter School
The Tennessee Public Charter School Commission has approved changes to a charter agreement with Empower Memphis Career and College Prep Charter Schools that wou...
News
Legislation to expand school choice, free meal programs, and pedestrian-friendly schools are among the first filed
Tennessee legislators have filed several bills this year that aim to tackle longstanding challenges in education, such as expanding school choice, enhancing stu...
News
New Comptroller’s report says nearly 60 percent of Tennessee counties have ‘monetarily significant’ school upgrade needs
While the majority of K-12 facilities in Tennessee are in “good” or “excellent” condition, a new report from the Comptroller’s Office of Research and Education ...
State Education
Education Commissioner Lizzette Reynolds requests nearly $58 million for summer learning camps
One of the key investments in Tennessee’s 2021 special legislative session was the creation of summer learning camps designed to help children overcome pandemic...
News
Higher Education Commission requests $150 million to cover growing costs at universities across Tennessee
The Tennessee Higher Education Commission is requesting new funding in the state’s higher-ed budget to capitalize on the progress made through other state inves...
News
Trump’s calls to eliminate U.S. Department of Education renews debate about the role of federal government in Tennessee schools
Despite the fact that the U.S. Department of Education funnels more than $800 million into Tennessee alone, some leading Republican legislators have signaled su...
News
Lawmakers and former Teacher of the Year give mixed reactions to new voucher legislation
There have been some mixed reactions to Tennessee lawmakers’ efforts to reintroduce school choice legislation for vouchers that allow public tax dollars to be u...
News
Voters reject voucher programs in Nebraska, Kentucky, and Colorado. Is that a bad omen for supporters in Tennessee?
Voters in Colorado, Kentucky, and Nebraska have decisively rejected efforts to implement school voucher programs that would allow families to use tax dollars fo...
State Education
Initial version of Governor Lee’s new voucher bill would require participants to be tested
Testing didn’t receive a lot of headlines during the debate earlier this year over Governor Bill Lee’s plan to let families use taxpayer dollars to send their c...
News
Representative Cepicky promises “clean version” of voucher bill next year
Despite criticizing Gov. Bill Lee’s plan previously as “terrible,” Representative Scott Cepicky’s, R-Culleoka, expects lawmakers to iron out their differences a...
News
Students for Education expands national footprint to encourage youth civic engagement
Students for Education (SFE), a Tennessee-based nonprofit dedicated to encouraging youth civic engagement, is expanding its national footprint as part of a broa...
News
East Tennessee State University poll finds economic concerns and divided opinions on book bans
A new survey study from the Applied Social Research Lab at East Tennessee State University indicates that 56 percent of Tennesseans believe the state is “headed...
News
Beacon Poll shows support for school choice policies in Tennessee
A new statewide survey from the Beacon Center of Tennessee found that Tennessee voters are “more likely to vote for candidates” who support school choice by a 4...
Elections
Three Democrat House challengers outraise Republican opponents in this week’s campaign filings
Tennessee Democrats’ hopes of cutting into at least some of the Republican House supermajority in next Month’s general election received a boost with this week’...
State Education
Hurricane Helene recovery will be costly, but Governor Lee isn’t interested in using voucher money to fund it
When Tennessee Governor Bill Lee unveiled the details of the $100 million Helene Emergency Assistance Loans (HEAL) Program in a press conference Thursday aftern...
State Education
Seniors encouraged to take advantage of the ACT Senior Retake Opportunity
The Tennessee Department of Education is encouraging high school seniors to take advantage of the state’s free ACT retake opportunities this fall.Tennessee was ...
News
Memphis School of Excellence leaders make the case to replicate the public charter school’s STEM school model in Nashville
Despite much opposition from Metro Nashville Public Schools (MNPS) leaders, the charter school sponsor Read Foundation is still pushing for the establishment of...
News
SCORE report finds Tennessee’s new school funding formula has had a ‘positive impact’ on schools
A new memo from the State Collaborative on Reforming Education (SCORE) says the Tennessee Investment in Student Achievement (TISA) school funding formula has ha...
News
Comptroller’s Office investigation finds ‘questionable transactions’ at Knox County’s Farragut High School
The Tennessee Comptroller’s Office has released two investigative reports related to Farragut High School in Knox County Schools System (KCS) after officials th...
News
Supporters make the case for Novus SMART Academy in Rutherford County
Following the Rutherford County Schools Board of Education’s recent decision to deny Novus SMART Academy’s application to become the fourth charter school in th...
State Education
Rep. Charlie Baum wants to reduce the “lag” growing school districts face receiving state funding
The monthly payments Tennessee sends school districts are determined based on enrollment last school year. Representative Charlie Baum Districts hopes to reduce...
State Education
Tennessee Charter School Center appoints Elizabeth Fiveash Rush as new Chief Executive Officer
Elizabeth Fiveash Rush was recently appointed CEO of the Tennessee Charter School Center.
Local Education
South Nashville students will soon take a Storybook Trail to reading
Napier Elementary School students helped Metro Nashville Public Schools (MNPS) leaders break ground on a new outdoor learning space Thursday that features an ou...
Local Education
“Wicked” and “The Perks of Being a Wallflower” among 7 books under consideration for banning at Rutherford County Schools
The Rutherford County Schools Board of Education is expected to decide if it will ban seven books next month to comply with a new state law instructing school l...
College and Higher Edu...
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 f...
Data and Polling
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) stand...
Local Education
Rutherford County Schools approves book ban policy revisions
The Rutherford County school board unanimously voted to approve revisions to district policy regarding the removal of books with sexual or inappropriate themes ...
Local Education
Lawmakers spread misinformation that a Wilson County school library is closed because of a new state law
A viral tweet from the Tennessee Holler claimed that a Wilson County high school library was closed due to a new state law banning books with inappropriate cont...
College and Higher Edu...
Tennessee concludes 'FAFSA Frenzy Month'
The Tennessee Higher Education Commission has spent the last 10 days partnering with dozens of community partners across Tennessee to assist students from the C...
Local Education
Metro Nashville Public Schools approves new AI policy guidelines
The Metro Nashville Public Schools Board of Education approved new guidelines for using AI in schools at Tuesday’s school board meeting.
Elections
Tennessee Democrats quick to support Kamala Harris' presidential bid. A popular VP pick has history with school vouchers.
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro has a history with an issue Tennessee Democrats have spent the last year opposing.
Data and Polling
More Tennessee schools now eligible for free meal programs
More school districts in Tennessee are now able to serve free meals to students, thanks to recent changes in federal rules governing free meal program eligibili...
College and Higher Edu...
THEC launches 'FAFSA Frenzy' resources to help students apply for financial aid
The Tennessee Higher Education Commission (THEC) is partnering with several education and community organizations across the state to launch its “FAFSA Frenzy” ...
News
State Board of Education changes rules for students in out-of-state mental health facilities
The Tennessee State Board of Education unanimously voted Monday to pass emergency revisions to rules outlining admission requirements for Tennessee public schoo...
Data and Polling
Beacon Poll notes voters' concerns about public education along with support for former President Trump and Sen. Blackburn
A new statewide survey from the Beacon Center of Tennessee found 50 percent of registered voters in Tennessee are dissatisfied with the way things are going in ...
News
SCORE report finds student assessments and teacher evaluations combine to improve performance
The State Collaborative on Reforming Education (SCORE) has released a pair of memos highlighting how annual teacher evaluations and assessments have worked toge...
Local Education
Lawsuit challenges zero tolerance policies for 'threats of mass violence' in schools
A federal lawsuit has been filed by two Tennessee families against Gov. Bill Lee and Williamson County Schools over the enforcement of a zero tolerance law, whi...
State Education
Governor Lee makes case for universal school choice to sometimes skeptical Nashville business leaders
Tennessee Governor Bill Lee made the case Monday for his plan to let parents use taxpayer dollars to send their kids to private school to a group of business le...
Elections
House District 34 candidates disagree little on LGBTQ-related issues, charter school controversies
House District 34 GOP candidates Tim Rudd and Tucker Marcum shared similar views on LGBTQ-related education issues and discussed the state’s charter school fund...
News
Tennessee's Education Department is getting a new Chief Program Officer
The Tennessee Department of Education has appointed Jonathan Criswell as Chief Program Officer, where he will lead school improvement efforts and key programmin...
College and Higher Edu...
AI policies are still a work in progress for several Tennessee school districts ahead of 2024-25 school year
Tennessee school districts are finalizing their AI policies ahead of the 2024-25 school year as they navigate new legislation requiring guidelines on AI use in ...
Data and Polling
Fourth-graders show reading gains on state assessments while third-graders hold steady
Tennessee's fourth-graders showed noticeable improvements in reading this year while third-graders' scores held steady.That's according to a Thursday announceme...
Elections
Williamson County House candidates weigh in on education funding, book bans and DEI
Candidates running for Tennessee House District 65 discussed their views on state education funding, banning inappropriate books in K-12 schools and how they th...
Local Education
Knox County school board fails to pass policy change banning books depicting sexual imagery
A proposal to ban books depicting sexual imagery in Knox County Schools failed in a 4-2 vote. The board discussed compliance with a new state law set to take ef...
College and Higher Edu...
Vanderbilt and Oak Ridge partner on AI research and development for national security
Vanderbilt University and Oak Ridge National Laboratory have announced a new partnership focusing on artificial intelligence research to develop technologies fo...
Local Education
Elon Musk's xAI to build world's largest supercomputer in Memphis
Elon Musk’s AI company xAI is planning to build the world’s largest supercomputer in Memphis, Tennessee, marking the city’s largest capital investment by a new-...
Local Education
House district candidates weigh in on private school vouchers and property taxes
The proposal to allow Tennessee families to use public dollars to send their children to private school proved to be a topic of disagreement for three candidate...
Local Education
Knox County school board discusses banning books with sexual content
Knox County Board of Education officials discussed banning books that depict sex at Monday’s school board work session.
Local Education
State provides updates to teacher licensure efforts in special ed, ESL and computer science
Tennessee’s additional endorsement program has helped over 1,200 educators add qualifications in special education, ESL, and computer science, while new pathway...
Elections
As Sumner County dries out, commissioners who rejected flood prevention funds are working to elect Senate challenger Chris Spencer
On May 8 floodwaters rushed into Sumner County, damaging property, and forcing emergency crews to execute dozens of water rescues.The storm also washed up new c...
News
Tennessee lawmakers support proposed change that prioritizes funding CTE programs that lead to high paying jobs
The TDOE is looking to update how it reviews and classifies CTE programs in the state to determine that they align with the needs of employers across industries...
Local Education
Memphis school and law enforcement officials oppose allowing teachers to carry guns
In a joint video message, Memphis-Shelby County Schools (MSCS) Superintendent Marie Feagins, Shelby County Sheriff Floyd Bonner, Jr., and Interim Memphis Police...
Local Education
Knox County parents will know later this month if their children are at risk for retention under new reading requirements
Knox County parents will be notified if their children are at risk of retention under new state reading requirements, with options for retesting or summer inter...
Local Education
School board members propose separate resolutions to oppose new law allowing teachers to carry guns
Two members of the Knox County Schools (KCS) Board of Education are proposing competing resolutions to push back on a recently passed law to allow armed teacher...
State Education
School “vouchers” attracted headlines this legislative session, but charter support could have the lasting impact
Members of the Tennessee General Assembly adjourned the legislative session Thursday following more than three months of sometimes contentious and challenging e...
State Education
Senate fails to pass bill to ban pride flags in the classroom
A controversial bill that would ban pride flags in Tennessee classrooms failed to receive the necessary 17 votes needed to reach a constitutional majority for p...
State Education
Tennessee General Assembly passes legislation to allow teachers to carry guns in school
The Tennessee House chamber once again turned into chaos Tuesday following debate on legislation involving guns.House members voted 68-28 vote to pass a bill al...
State Education
Governor pulls plug on Education Freedom Scholarships and vows to revisit the plan next year
Governor Bill Lee conceded that there’s no pathway for his signature education bill to pass this session and vowed to bring back the Education Freedom Scholarsh...
State Education
Bipartisan vote leads to passage of legislation to reduce the number of fourth-graders held back under new reading requirements
In an rare move of bipartisanship, the State Senate sent legislation to Governor Lee’s desk Wednesday that should ease some of the concerns parents have about t...
State Education
Commissioner Lizzette Reynolds’ qualifications come under fire again during debate on the House floor
House Democrats continued their push for the removal of Tennessee Department of Education Commissioner Lizzette Reynolds Tuesday during a discussion about a tem...
State Education
Governor’s Education Freedom Scholarship Plan faces uphill battle for passage
Governor Lee’s signature education proposal this year appears to be on life support.Tuesday afternoon both the Senate Finance, Ways, and Means Committee and the...
State Education
House education leaders decline to vote on bill outlawing marriage between first cousins
Two State Representatives who’ve played a big role in education legislation this session were among the nine Republicans who declined to vote on a bill Thursday...
State Education
Senate passes legislation to arm teachers following heated debate and clearing of spectators
The Tennessee State Senate passed a bill allowing teachers to be armed in the classroom following a chaotic discussion that included state troopers clearing spe...
State Education
“Data bill” continues to advance in the House. Supporters say it will help better prepare students for Tennessee’s changing economy.
Members of the House Government Operations Committee unanimously advanced legislation Monday that’s designed to help the state do a better job connecting studen...
State Education
Legislation requiring children to watch a video produced by group that opposes abortion heads to the governor’s desk
A bill that would require schoolchildren to watch a fetal development animation video made by abortion opposition group Live Action is on its way to Governor Bi...
State Education
House committee advances legislation to create a new program to improve childhood literacy and workforce shortages
A key House committee advanced legislation this week that’s designed to address workforce shortages and early childhood literacy in one swoop.Representative Mar...
State Education
State lawmakers continue to advance conflicting plans to reduce the number of fourth-graders held back under new reading requirements
Tennessee lawmakers have expressed a desire to reduce the number of fourth-graders held back this summer under new state reading requirements, but with the legi...
State Education
Tennessee Senate passes bill to do away with the Achievement School District
A proposal to shift low-performing schools from Tennessee’s sputtering takeover and turnaround district to other state-approved but locally managed intervention...
State Education
School districts could receive $215 more per student under new TISA funding plan
The Tennessee Department of Education (TDOE) is proposing sending school districts across the state an extra $215 per student next school year.If approved by th...
Local Education
New legislation would allow the University of Memphis to form its own K-12 school district
Each school day more than a thousand children and teenagers travel from across Shelby County to the University of Memphis for a reason you may not expect.Those ...
State Education
House subcommittee advances legislation to reduce the number of children at risk for repeating the fourth-grade
Members of the House K-12 Subcommittee voted Tuesday to advance a bill designed to reduce the number of fourth-grade students held back under the state’s new Th...
News
House Committee debates accountability and cost of Education Freedom Scholarships
The House Government Operations Committee advanced Governor Bill Lee’s Education Freedom Scholarship Act Monday with a positive recommendation following a somet...
State Education
"Data bill" advancing in the House aims to better prepare students for Tennessee's evolving economy
Members of the House Education Administration Committee advanced legislation Wednesday that supporters say will help the state do a better job connecting studen...
State Education
House subcommittee debates proposals to improve school safety
Members of the House K-12 Subcommittee turned their focus to school safety Wednesday by voting on a series of bills designed to prevent future school shootings,...
College and Higher Edu...
Hall at risk of a fall. Why the University of Tennessee says it desperately needs a new chemistry building.
Viktor Nemykin heads up a chemistry department that’s ranked second in the world for its polymer program and boasts the third largest number of undergraduate cr...
College and Higher Edu...
UT and MTSU present budget requests
University of Tennessee President Randy Boyd told members of the Senate Education Committee that there are three myths tied to higher education.Those myths are ...
State Education
Questions remain after Education Freedom Scholarship Act passes two key committees
Walter Blanks Jr. says his experience with public schools growing up in an economically disadvantaged neighborhood in Columbus, Ohio was hard.Blanks says he str...
State Education
Senate committee advances bill to help students who suffer a cardiac arrest
Two years ago, Linton Beck unexpectedly suffered a cardiac arrest in his chemistry class.The Station Camp High School senior is alive today and able to talk abo...
State Education
State Board of Education unanimously approves resolution asking lawmakers to change Third-Grade Retention Law
The Tennessee State Board of Education is joining the list of government entities that have expressed an interest in changing the state’s new Third-Grade Retent...
College and Higher Edu...
House committee shoots down bill that would remove diversity-sustaining programs
Members of the House Higher Education Subcommittee unanimously shot down a bill Monday that would establish prohibitions for public universities and other publi...
State Education
Three competing plans to allow students to attend private school with public dollars come with vastly different testing requirements
When Governor Bill Lee announced his Education Freedom Scholarship Act last year, he made it a point to say the Tennessee General Assembly would work some out c...
State Education
House committee advances bill to offer teacher assistance with childcare
Tennessee teachers could receive help with childcare under legislation that advanced from a key House committee Wednesday.Representative Scott Cepicky’s, R-Cull...
State Government
Classroom pride flag ban passes State House
A much talked about bill that would ban the display of pride flags in Tennessee public schools passed the full House on Monday following another heated debate.T...
State Government
Classroom pride flag ban passes State House
A much talked about bill that would ban the display of pride flags in Tennessee public schools passed the full House on Monday following another heated debate.T...
State Education
House Democrats oppose legislation to support economically disadvantaged students in their districts
State Representative Justin Jones, D-Nashville, represents a district that touches four school clusters with some of the highest performing public charter schoo...
State Education
Democrats announce a bill to impeach Education Commissioner Lizzette Reynolds
Tennessee Democrats continued their push for the resignation of Tennessee Department of Education Commissioner Lizzette Reynolds Monday, announcing a bill that ...
State Education
Massive House proposal is third universal school voucher bill before Tennessee lawmakers
Three school voucher proposals now before Tennessee lawmakers would create a new statewide program that eventually could open eligibility to all K-12 students, ...
State Education
Senate committee narrowly advances bill banning pride flags
A bill that would ban pride flags in Tennessee classrooms narrowly managed to advance on a 5-4 vote in the Senate Education Committee Wednesday afternoon follow...
State Education
Proposed legislation to change the kindergarten age cutoff date fails in House subcommittee
A bill that would change the age cutoff date for children enrolling in enrolling in kindergarten failed to advance out of the House K-12 Subcommittee Tuesday.Re...
State Education
Students would learn firearm safety at school under a bill that’s advancing in the House
Proposed legislation that requires firearm safety to be taught in schools advanced from the House Education Instruction Committee Tuesday morning.Representative...
State Government
Opponents of a bill that could ban pride flags in classrooms question whether it would allow Nazi flags
A key House committee voted 12 to 4 to advance a controversial bill that would effectively ban pride flags in Tennessee classrooms Wednesday. That vote followed...
Local Education
Knox County School Board fails to approve resolution denouncing Governor Lee’s Education Freedom Scholarship Act
Knox County School Board members failed to pass a resolution Thursday night that would have denounced Governor Bill Lee’s Education Freedom Scholarship Act. The...
State Education
Controversial pride flag ban bill advances in the House
Representative Gino Bulso’s, R-Brentwood, bill that would prohibit pride flags in classrooms advanced from a House Subcommittee Tuesday, but not without vocal o...
State Education
Tennessee House advances proposal to help keep dual enrolled high school students on track
Representative Ed Butler, R-Rickman, is proposing a change to help keep high schoolers enrolled in technical college courses on track after they graduate.Butler...
State Education
Governor faces vocal disruptions from the crowd during State of State address
State Education
Heated debate over pride flags in the classroom will continue into next week
Tennessee House members are holding off making the first vote on a controversial bill that would only allow classrooms to display the Tennessee state flag and U...
State Education
House Democrats propose “family-first” agenda for the new session
Members of the House Democratic Caucus held a press conference Tuesday to release what they’re calling a “family-first” agenda for the new legislative session.M...
Local Education
New state law may hold 700 Nashville fourth-graders back
Even under a best-case scenario, hundreds of Metro-Nashville Public School (MNPS) students will have to repeat the fourth-grade next year under a new state law....
State Government
Lana Skelo Gardner announced as next CEO of Tennesseans for Student Success
Education advocacy organization Tennesseans for Student Success (TSS) announced it’s planning a leadership change in May, following the conclusion of the legisl...
State Education
House members choose not to recommend rejecting federal education funding
Five Tennessee House members who served on last year’s panel that looked into the possibility of rejecting federal education funding are not recommending doing ...
State Education
Representative Lamberth brings back a bill he says could save children’s lives
Representative William Lamberth’s, R-Portland, is hoping the second time is the charm for legislation designed to help improve school safety during an active sh...
State Education
State lawmaker pulls a bill to help dependent children of Tennessee veterans attend college because of belt tightening
Tennessee’s tighter budget has claimed its first education related legislative victim of the session.Monday night Representative Jay Reedy, R-Erin, pulled HB160...
State Education
House Democrats call for the resignation of Tennessee Education Commissioner Lizzette Reynolds
The House Democratic Caucus called for Tennessee Education Commissioner Lizzette Reynold to resign Monday morning, saying she doesn’t have the necessary qualifi...
State Education
A convenient webpage is helping move employers to Memphis. Tennessee may try something similar this year.
In 2021 the Greater Memphis Chamber launched a new tool to help better inform businesses that are considering locating to the Memphis region.The Memphis Moves d...
State Government
Lawmakers will return to Nashville when the capitol thaws. New education bills will await them.
One week into this year’s legislative session, winter weather put the Tennessee General Assembly on hold. That delay prevented lawmakers from beginning discussi...
State Education
Fourth-grade retention debate a possibility when lawmakers return to Nashville
When Tennessee lawmakers return to Nashville from this week’s snow delay, fourth-grade retention may very well succeed last year’s heated debate over third-grad...
State Education
Representative Justin Jones removed from key education committee
Tennessee House Speaker Cameron Sexton, R-Crossville, announced Thursday that he’s moving Representative Justin Jones, D-Nashville, off a key education committe...
State Government
Tennessee House adopts rules to limit debate and punish members for speaking out of order
The Tennessee House of Representatives formally adopted new rules for this year’s legislative session Wednesday that limit debate time and silence members for s...
State Education
State Senators break with House counterparts on the possibility of rejecting federal education funding
Five Tennessee State Senators who served on last year’s panel that looked into the possibility of rejecting federal education funding are breaking with their Ho...
State Education
State Senators break with House counterparts on the possibility of rejecting federal education funding
Five Tennessee State Senators who served on last year’s panel that looked into the possibility of rejecting federal education funding are breaking with their Ho...
State Government
New policy limits public presence in the Tennessee House chamber
Tennessee State House Speaker Cameron Sexton, R-Crossville, unveiled a new policy on the first day of the new legislative session that cuts public access to the...
State Government
Tennessee State House poised to adopt rules punishing members for going off topic
Tennessee House Republican leaders are close to approving rules for the legislative session that once again punish members for going off topic.The House adopted...
State Education
The legislative season begins tomorrow. Here’s what to expect.
Tennessee lawmakers are returning to Nashville Tuesday to reconvene a 113th General Assembly that adjourned in April with more attention for its controversies t...
State Government
More than half of every sales tax dollar Tennessee collects is going to education
More than half of Tennessee tax dollars are going to education
State Education
Representative Scott Cepicky proposes guardrails for artificial intelligence in the classroom
When members of the Tennessee General Assembly convened the 113th General Session last January, ChatGPT was less than two months old.Today 100 million people us...
State Education
Beacon Center poll finds support for Governor Lee’s plan to use taxpayer money to support private school tuition
Tennessee Governor Bill Lee’s proposal to allow families to use taxpayer dollars to attend private school is broadly popular according to a new poll by conserva...
Local Education
Superintendent Toni Williams says teacher retention could improve school letter grades in Memphis
Interim Memphis-Shelby County Schools (MSCS) Superintendent Tutonial “Toni” Williams says improving teacher retention could play a positive role in elevating lo...
State Education
Tennessee Department of Education releases School Letter Grades dashboard
The Tennessee Department of Education rolled out its much-anticipated School Letter Grades platform Thursday. The system is designed to provide the public with ...
State Education
New report finds English language learners have the highest dropout rate in Tennessee
The Tennessee Comptroller’s Office of Research and Education Accountability (OREA) released a new report that found students who face language, disability, and ...
State Education
Williamson County Representative takes district debate on banning pride flags to the state
A heated debate at recent Williamson County School Board meetings will be moving to the Tennessee General Assembly next year.Representative Gino Bulso, R-Brentw...
State Government
Rutherford County School Board asks to exclude students learning English from School Letter Grades
State Education
Tennessee SCORE releases recommendations to support public charter schools and improve student pathways to employment
When the founders of Nashville Classical proposed the new public charter school in 2013, acquiring facilities was a huge challenge.School leaders had to meet wi...
State Education
House Education Chair supports accountability, opposes “pop-up schools” benefiting from private school scholarship plan
When Governor Bill Lee unveiled his proposed program to offer taxpayer funded private-school scholarships Tuesday, Tennessee House Education Administration Chai...
State Education
House Education Chair supports accountability, opposes “pop-up schools” benefiting from private school scholarship plan
When Governor Bill Lee unveiled his proposed program to offer taxpayer funded private-school scholarships Tuesday, Tennessee House Education Administration Chai...
State Education
Governor Lee unveils statewide program to allow families to use taxpayer dollars to attend private school
Arieale Munson says the private school her 12-year-old son Steven attends in Memphis is putting him on the path to his dream of becoming a paleontologist.St. Ge...
State Education
Governor Lee unveils statewide program to allow families to use taxpayer dollars to attend private school
Arieale Munson says the private school her 12-year-old son Steven attends in Memphis is putting him on the path to his dream of becoming a paleontologist.St. Ge...
State Education
Governor Lee to propose statewide expansion to program allowing families to use taxpayer money to attend private schools
Tennessee Governor Bill Lee plans to unveil the details of a proposed statewide expansion to the Education Savings Account (ESA) program Tuesday.The current ESA...
State Government
Nashville, Shelby County withdraw challenge to Tennessee private school voucher law after long fight
Nashville and Shelby County governments have pulled out of their more than 3-year-old legal dispute with the state over a 2019 private school voucher law.The pa...
State Government
Lawmakers use time in between federal funding hearings to tour innovative Nashville public charter school
State Senators Jon Lundbeg, R-Brisol, and Bill Powers, R-Clarksville, and Representative William Slater, R-Hendersonville, utilized their downtime in between fe...
State Education
State taskforce wraps up hearings with the first speakers to encourage Tennessee to reject federal education dollars
Over the course of 6 meetings, state lawmakers on the Joint Working Group on Federal Education Funding have heard testimony from education experts who’ve either...
State Education
Senate leader doesn’t expect Tennessee to reject federal money for students
A leader of the panel exploring whether Tennessee can reject federal education funding says he doesn’t expect the state to do so, even if it can find a way.Sen....
State Education
Tenn. hearings on federal school funding leave out parents and local advocacy groups
A legislative panel exploring whether Tennessee should reject federal funding for its K-12 students isn’t allowing public testimony from Tennesseans about how f...
State Education
Education Commissioner says rejecting federal dollars would not be simple
Tennessee Department of Education Commissioner Lizzette Reynolds told state lawmakers there’s no easy way for the state to avoid federal education requirements ...
State Education
National Conference of State Legislatures provides lawmakers with recommendations to get around regulations that come with accepting federal education funding
Leaders of the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) told Tennessee lawmakers there may be options to get around the requirements that come with fede...
State Education
School leaders ask lawmakers to continue accepting federal education funding
State Education
Think tank says other states would likely benefit financially if Tennessee rejected federal education dollars
Non-partisan think tank the Sycamore Institute told Tennessee lawmakers other states would likely receive most federal education dollars Tennessee chooses to re...
News
Education leaders working on the School Letter Grades want student achievement and growth to account equally
When Tennessee launches the School Letter Grades next month parents will be able to see how well their child’s school is serving students by reviewing whether i...
State Education
Tennessee asked for public comments to improve its soon to be released School Letter Grades. Those submitted comments include important cautions.
State Education
What’s changing this year with school safety? The Tennessee Comptroller releases a rundown.
State Education
Task force to study rejecting federal education funds returns. New study finds rural counties could be the most impacted.
The possibility of Tennessee rejecting federal education funding is back on the General Assembly’s agenda.Tennessee House Speaker Cameron Sexton, R-Crossville, ...
State Education
Shelbyville education leaders want student growth to play a large role in new School Letter Grades
Shelbyville parents and educators gave the Tennessee Department of Education (TDOE) a lot to consider as it fine tunes the new system to provide an A through F ...
State Education
Nashville parents and education leaders want the new School Letter Grades to consider student circumstances
Nashville parents and education leaders provided a wide variety of concerns for the Tennessee Department of Education (TDOE) to consider as it creates a new sys...
State Education
Cookeville parent and educators want the new School Letter Grades to be accountable
Accountability was the main focus for Cookeville parents, educators, and administrators during a Tuesday night discussion about how schools should be graded for...
State Education
Special session on public safety ends in with more chaos in the State House
The special session on public safety ended much as it has proceeded over the last week, with chaos.After the session wrapped up in the House, Speaker Cameron Se...
State Education
House Republicans continue passing legislation despite Democrats leaving chamber in protest
The special session on public safety produced another chaotic meeting in the State House Monday.House members voted 70 to 20 to silence newly re-elected Represe...
State Education
Tennessee’s House and Senate end the week at odds on the special session. Will the weekend bring change?
The first week of the special session on public safety may have seen more criticism for what lawmakers didn’t do than what they did.Only a bill to fund the spec...
State Education
Representative Chris Todd’s school gun bill fails to advance from chaotic committee meeting
A bipartisan group of lawmakers voted down a controversial bill to increase the number of people allowed to carry a gun on school property in Tennessee.By a tie...
State Government
Parents of Covenant School Shooting survivors speak out against a proposed school gun bill
The House Civil Justice Committee proved to be nearly as eventful on Wednesday as its subcommittee the day before.Representative Jason Powell, D-Nashville, bega...
State Education
Senators appear to be only interested in passing three bills during the special session
For the second straight day, members of the Tennessee State Senate continued to table the vast majority of bills they’ve filed in the special session on public ...
State Government
Early special session meetings see more spectators removed than bills advanced
Members of the Tennessee State Senate appear to be approaching the special session on public safety in a more abbreviated fashion than their House counterparts.
State Government
Formerly expelled lawmakers reappointed to their subcommittees for special session
Formerly expelled Representatives Justin Jones, D-Nashville, and Justin J. Pearson, D-Memphis, will serve on multiple House committees during the special sessio...
State Government
More than two dozen bills filed in advance of special session on public safety
Members of the Tennessee General Assembly have filed more than two dozen bills in advance of Monday’s special session on public safety. More legislation is expe...
State Education
Department of Education seeks parental input in long awaited school grading system
Parents can now take part in creating a long awaited system that grades how well their child’s school is serving students.The Tennessee Department of Education ...
State Education
Tennessee picks vendor with no voucher experience to manage its education savings accounts
After failing to reach contract terms with its first choice to run its growing private school voucher program, Tennessee has turned to a young Indiana company w...
State Education
Judge panel clears new law to go into effect banning unions from deducting dues from teacher paychecks
Tennessee’s new law banning unions from deducting dues from teacher paychecks is clear to go into effect.A panel of three Davidson County Chancery Court judges ...
State Education
State argues unions representing teachers need to pay their own way
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 Cha...
State Education
Tennessee Attorney General says lawsuit that could delay teacher raises lacks merit
Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti’s office fired back at a recently filed lawsuit by the Tennessee Education Association (TEA), saying the suit “lack...
State Education
Lizzette Reynolds sworn in as new Commissioner of Education
Tennessee’s new Education Commissioner is officially on the job.Lizzette Gonzalez Reynolds was sworn in on July 1. She replaces former Commissioner Penny Schwin...
State Education
Tennessee Education Association files lawsuit that could delay teacher raises
The Tennessee Education Association (TEA) filed a legal challenge this week that could delay recently passed teacher raises.The TEA’s lawsuit challenges a provi...
State Education
Legislator Profile: Senator Bill Powers strives to bring common sense principles to education
State Senator Bill Powers (R-Clarksville) took an unconventional path to politics and the Tennessee General Assembly where he's the Vice-Chairperson of the Sena...
State Education
Governor Lee signs school safety legislation into law
News
Governor Bill Lee announces special session in response to Nashville school shooting
State Education
Governor Lee signs bill allowing Hamilton County families to use taxpayer money to attend private schools
Governor Bill Lee announced Friday that he’s signed legislation to expand the Education Savings Account to Hamilton County.
State Education
Memphis advocate Sara Carpenter and teacher of the year among those named to TISA Steering Committee
Memphis parent advocate Sara Carpenter, Senate Education Chairman Jon Lundberg, House Education Administration Chairman Mark White, and Memphis-Shelby County Te...
State Education
Lizzette Gonzalez Reynolds named new Education Commissioner
Tennessee Governor Bill Lee named Lizzette Gonzalez Reynolds as the new Commissioner for the Tennessee Department of Education on Monday.Reynolds will succeed C...
News
Tumultuous legislative session brings passage of teacher pay raises, tweaks to Third-Grade Retention, and a possible special session
The Tennessee General Assembly adjourned Friday following a tumultuous legislative session that included the expulsion and return of two members, a resignation,...
State Education
Tennessee legislature sends governor pared-down school voucher expansion bill, omitting Knox County
Tennessee lawmakers approved expanding the private school voucher program to Hamilton County, but not Knox County. The final bill now awaits Gov. Bill Lee’s sig...
State Education
House passes changes to Tennessee’s Third-Grade Retention Law. Compromise legislation now heads to the Governor
Debate over one of the biggest issues for education in Tennessee is over for the year.Thursday morning House members voted 82-15 to pass legislation that’s expe...
State Education
House includes paycheck protection in legislation to raise teacher salaries after initially voting against it
In a surprising move, members of the Tennessee House re-included the paycheck protection provision of legislation to raise teacher salaries minutes after voting...
State Education
Senate passes changes to Third-Grade Retention Law despite Democratic opposition
Tennessee Senators passed legislation on a partisan 26 to 4 vote Tuesday to reduce the number of children held back by the state’s Third-Grade Retention Law.No ...
State Education
Changes in Tennessee retention law will come too late for third graders this year
Tennessee lawmakers are moving toward a consensus on how to improve the state’s controversial new third-grade retention policy for struggling readers, but whate...
State Education
Legislator Profile: Representative Tim Hicks brings a different perspective to champion struggling students
Representative Tim Hicks took a different path than most to the state capitol in Nashville.The Washington County Republican lawmaker didn’t attend college and i...
State Education
Education Savings Account expansion could incur additional costs
State Government
Representatives Jones and Pearson reappointed to office following ouster
The expulsions of two Democratic lawmakers last week may not last long after all.Wednesday afternoon members of the Shelby County Commission unanimously voted t...
News
Senator says 2 in 3 TN students not reading at grade level is “inexcusable” as Senate advances bill to alter retention policy
Local Government
Nashville votes to send Jones back to Tennessee House
Without objection, the council suspended its rules to immediately nominate and approve Jones to fill the District 52 seat as Jones sat in the gallery.
State Government
Two out of three Democratic representatives expelled from the Tennessee General Assembly
Local Education
Tennessee law could hold back thousands of third graders in bid to help kids recover from the pandemic
A retention policy tied to state reading test scores is drawing both support and skepticism.
State Education
House subcommittee advances Governor Lee’s legislation to raise teacher salaries
The House Finance, Ways, and Means Subcommittee advanced Governor Bill Lee’s legislation to raise teacher salaries without debate or even discussion Wednesday a...
State Government
Tennessee lawmaker facing expulsion defends actions on behalf of student protesters
Before Justin Pearson was elected to the Tennessee House, before he gained acclaim for stopping an oil pipeline project planned for his neighborhood, he was a s...
State Education
Senate passes Governor Lee’s legislation to raise teacher salaries
Tennessee Senators passed Governor Bill Lee’s legislation to raise teacher salaries on a partisan 25 to 6 vote Thursday.The plan would raise teacher salaries to...
State Education
Senate Committee advances bills dealing with gender identity in sports and "divisive concepts"
The Senate Education Committee advanced two controversial bills Wednesday that have faced criticism from LGBTQ and civil rights activists.
News
House committee grills Department of Education on its work to improve math
State Education
Governor Lee touts investments in education to business leaders
Governor Bill Lee told Middle Tennessee’s business leaders his proposed investments in education are needed to keep Tennessee moving forward.Those comments came...
State Education
House Committee Keeps 'Paycheck Protection' in Legislation to raise teacher salaries
Members of the House Education Administration Committee advanced Governor Bill Lee’s proposal to raise teacher salaries to at least $50 thousand by the 2026/202...
State Education
Senate committee surprisingly takes House Speaker Cameron Sexton’s education bills off notice for the year
Tennessee House Speaker Cameron Sexton’s proposals to create home school charter schools and to study the potential impact of opting to decline federal educatio...
News
Compromise Third-Grade Retention bill advances on unanimous House vote
News
Fears of a strain on teachers kills legislation to allow increased classroom size
National Education
‘Are We Really Going to Fail Those Students?’ With State Tests Next Month, Tennessee Reconsiders Holding Back Third Graders
In 2020, Faith Miles saw her kindergarten year broken up by the pandemic. Already slower to pick up language skills than her older siblings, Faith was further s...
State Education
Representative Bo Mitchell uses misleading attack on public charter schools to oppose legislation that benefits economically disadvantaged students
Monday’s vote in favor of legislation to support economically disadvantaged students came with a misleading attack by a State Representative whose city would be...
College and Higher Edu...
House subcommittee ends its year by advancing three bills to make higher education more attainable to Tennessee students
State Education
House Democrats attack public charter schools despite academic success in their own counties
Thursday morning two House Democrats used what would otherwise be a routine vote to reauthorize the Tennessee Public Charter School Commission to take swipes at...
College and Higher Edu...
Persistent opposition from House Democrats fails to stop Republican homeschool and TikTok legislation from advancing
State Education
House committee advances bill to let public charter schools prioritize serving at-risk students
Members of the House Administration Committee advanced legislation Wednesday designed to help provide at-risk students with more accessibility to public charter...
State Government
Promising Futures child care scholarship bill advances in Tennessee Senate
A bill to create a scholarship program to help Tennessee’s low- and middle-income families pay for high-quality early child care cleared its first legislative h...
News
Compromise to reduce the number of children held back from Tennessee’s Third-Grade Retention Law passes key committees
State Education
Tennessee House speaker proposes task force to look into rejecting federal education funds
House Speaker Cameron Sexton wants to create a task force to study the feasibility of Tennessee rejecting U.S. education dollars to free its schools from federa...
State Education
Tennessee teachers spend more on candidate contributions than Amazon. New legislation could change that.
The union that represents Tennessee teachers made it crystal clear this week that it's not happy with Governor Bill Lee’s proposal to stop school districts from...
State Education
Tennessee Teachers Spend More on Candidate Contributions Than Amazon
New legislation advancing in the Tennessee General Assembly could change that.
News
House Committee decides to extend debate on home school charter schools
State Education
Legislator Profile: Senator Raumesh Akbari finds common ground to improve education
Senator Raumesh Akbari admits it’s not easy getting legislation passed as a Democrat in the Republican supermajority in the Tennessee General Assembly, but she’...
News
House subcommittee approves investments benefitting private school families and teachers
State Education
Tennessee governor’s safety bill threatens penalties for schools if they don’t lock entrances
Gov. Bill Lee is proposing sweeping changes to enhance school safety across Tennessee, requiring all K-12 public schools to keep their exterior doors locked, or...
State Education
Senate approves Governor Lee’s plan to make highly effective summer learning camps permanent
Tennessee Senators approve Governor Lee's plan to make summer learning camps available year-round for “at-risk” students in grades K-3 and create learning loss ...
News
Governor Lee wants to raise all teacher salaries to $50K in the 2026/2027 school year
News
Bill seeks to shield classroom libraries from Tennessee library law
State Education
Senate committee kills legislation to inject more partisanship into schools
Tennessee’s Senate Education Committee voted down legislation 6 to 3 Wednesday that would add more partisanship to public schools by allowing elections for scho...
News
Legislation allowing school districts to request a larger class size advances
State Education
Legislation to expand the Education Savings Account Program to Hamilton County advances
Tennessee lawmakers advanced a bill to expand the state’s ESA program to Hamilton County, allowing more students to use funds for private education.
State Education
Speaker Sexton’s home school charter school proposal sails through subcommittee
Legislators on the Tennessee House K-12 Subcommittee surprisingly approved a major proposal impacting both home school students and public charter schools with ...
Local Education
Memphis School Board encouraged to let the public to submit questions to superintendent candidates
Local Education
Memphis School Board encouraged to let the public to submit questions to superintendent candidates
College and Higher Edu...
Two bills address the declining college attendance rates by offering more opportunities to students
State Education
Senate passes legislation allowing public charter schools the ability to prioritize serving at-risk students
Tennessee State Senators gave their support Monday evening to legislation designed to help provide at-risk students with more accessibility to public charter sc...
State Education
Legislation to enable public charter schools to serve more economically disadvantaged and at-risk students faces key votes
House Bill 1086/Senate Bill 0980 faces key votes in the full Senate today and in the House Education Administration Committee on Wednesday.
State Education
Tennessee legislators look to Mississippi for guidance on changing the Third-Grade Retention Law
Wednesday members of the House Education Administration Committee received help making that decision from an unlikely neighboring state to the south. Former Mis...
State Education
Representative Tim Hicks says he's received commitment to expand career and technical education
Legislation to expand access to career and technical education may have accomplished its sponsor’s goals without a single vote for passage.State Representative ...
State Education
Proposed legislation would fill the "middle skills gap" Tennessee employers need
State Education
Education Commissioner says new school funding formula will give teachers an average $1,250 raise
One of major selling points in last year’s passage of the Tennessee Investment in Student Achievement Act was that it would provide money for teacher pay raises...
State Education
Representative Scott Cepicky cuts back the amount he wants to provide teachers for classroom supplies
Culleoka Representative Scott Cepicky drew cheers from public school teachers when he proposed legislation this year to provide them with $500 for classroom sup...
State Education
Tennessee Senate approves adding Hamilton County to ESA/voucher program
The Tennessee Senate approved a bill to include Hamilton County in the state’s ESA voucher program. The bill now moves to the House for discussion.
State Government
Tennessee is talking about rejecting federal education funding. What would that mean for kids?
When House Speaker Cameron Sexton recently floated the idea of Tennessee rejecting U.S. education dollars to free its schools from federal rules and restriction...
State Education
Tennessee teachers tell lawmakers literacy struggles are a big concern with young children
Local Education
Day on the Hill provides an educational opportunity for Memphis teachers
College and Higher Edu...
Gov. Lee announces raise in teacher pay and expansion of career and technical education in 2023 State of the State Address
Lee stated he will propose an additional investment of $350 million into TISA which would include $125 million for teacher pay raises.
College and Higher Edu...
Gov. Lee announces raise in teacher pay and expansion of career and technical education in 2023 State of the State Address
Lee stated he will propose an additional investment of $350 million into TISA which would include $125 million for teacher pay raises.
College and Higher Edu...
Should the Tennessee HOPE Scholarship be expanded? This new legislation could do it.
Local Education
Bill would make summer learning camps designed for COVID continue beyond the pandemic
Like many school districts across the country, Elizabethton City Schools entered the 2020/2021 school year with a new hybrid schedule that allowed students to s...
State Education
Tennessee celebrates the growth of its Career and Technical Education program
State Education
Legislator Profile: Representative Mark White says education in Tennessee is like a grandfather clock
State Education
Education Trust's Reginald Nash suggests three changes to improve Tennessee’s Third-Grade Retention Law
Few educational issues have generated more disagreement this year than Tennessee’s Third-Grade Retention Law.The legislation was designed in 2021 to ensure that...
State Education
TISA rules pass joint state committee
The Tennessee Investment in Student Achievement (TISA) cleared an important hurdle Monday morning that ensures its eventual implementation for school districts ...
Local Education
School Turnaround Program is working for two Memphis schools
Memphis schools Hawkins Mill Elementary and Trezevant High have been on the state’s priority list since the list’s formation in the 2011-12 school year. This me...
State Education
Legislator Profile: Senator Jon Lundberg making an impact leading the Senate Education Committee
There may not have been a single piece of legislation that was more impactful in 2022 than the Tennessee Investment in Student Achievement Act.TISA as it was ca...
Local Education
Memphis community panel says superintendent search may be moving too quickly
Local Education
Commitment to diversity and change among the qualities Memphis parents want in next superintendent
Memphis-Shelby County School Board members received a clearer picture of the priorities parents want the next superintendent to have Wednesday night and two of ...
Local Education
Is the ideal candidate to lead Memphis Schools already on the job? Some say yes despite national search support
The search for a new superintendent to lead Memphis-Shelby County Schools (MSCS) is seeing disagreement over whether the ideal candidate is already on the job.A...
Local Education
Cheatham County Schools says district fuel cards skimmed by thieves
A new report from the State Comptroller’s Office found nearly $60 thousand in inappropriate fuel card spending by employees of the Cheatham County School Distri...
State Education
Newly elected Representatives named Vice-Chairs of key education committees
Newly elected Republican Representatives William Slater and Kevin Raper don’t even have their pictures posted yet on the Tennessee General Assembly website, but...
State Education
Legislator Profile: Senator Dawn White is bringing lessons from the classroom to Nashville
State Senator Dawn White was always going to make an impact on education. The Murfreesboro legislator says even as a young child growing up in Eagleville Tennes...
State Education
Education to play a big role in new legislative session
Perhaps no issue was more impactful in last year’s legislative session than education. The 112th General Assembly ended with the historic passage of the Tenness...
State Education
Legislator Profile: Representative William Slater brings an extensive background in education to Nashville
When the Tennessee General Assembly returns to Nashville next Tuesday, Representative William Slater will be among 19 new members in the State House.Slater won ...
Local Education
Nashville, Shelby County to appeal court’s dismissal of Tennessee school voucher case
Plaintiffs behind two lawsuits challenging Tennessee’s private school voucher law plan to appeal a judicial panel’s dismissal of their remaining legal claims.Me...
State Education
Bill would give Tennessee teachers $500 annually for classroom supplies
A Tennessee bill would allow every public school teacher in the state to have $500 to spend on classroom supplies.The bill would be an adjustment on the $200 in...
Local Education
MSCS and Germantown school boards back ‘three G’s’ settlement, ending 10-year dispute
The decade-old dispute between Memphis-Shelby County Schools and the Germantown Municipal School District ended Thursday as the two districts’ school boards sig...
State Education
Fewer Tennessee students taking Drivers Ed
A new report by the Tennessee Comptroller’s Office of Research and Education Accountability (OREA) found fewer Tennessee teenagers are taking drivers education ...
Local Education
Tennessee Education Savings Account law would expand to Hamilton County under bill
Tennessee’s private school voucher law, which now only affects districts and some students in Memphis and Nashville, would widen to include Hamilton County Scho...
State Education
Tennessee private schools could get $60 million in leftover pandemic relief funds
Tennessee is taking steps to ensure that private schools get the opportunity to receive nearly $60 million in unused federal COVID relief funds set aside for th...
State Education
Tennessee’s Education Savings Account program wins again in court
A judicial panel sided with the state on Wednesday and dismissed remaining legal claims raised in two lawsuits challenging Tennessee’s private school voucher la...
State Education
State Textbook Commission Member Laurie Cardoza-Moore argues for expanding the board’s role
A new state law requires Tennessee’s Textbook and Instructional Materials Quality Commission to “issue guidance” for local school districts to use when reviewin...
State Education
Tennessee’s Literacy Success Act receives mostly positive initial review
State Education
Governor Lee launches School Safety Toolkit for parents
Elections
Knoxville House candidate proposes removing public funding from public charter schools in debate
In a televised debate on a wide range of topics, Democratic Tennessee House District 18 Candidate Gregory Kaplan proposed a drastic change that would put the fu...
State Education
Tennessee recognized for leading the nation in ACT access
Tennessee received national recognition Tuesday for its work to help all students fulfill their requirements for college admission.ACT, Inc. awarded the Tenness...
Elections
Tennessee incumbent Gov. Bill Lee facing Democrat challenger Martin with contrasting views
Incumbent Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee was uncontested in the primary and will be facing Democrat Jason Martin in the Nov. 8 general election.Lee won by a wide margi...
State Government
From right to work to slavery, Tennessee set to vote on four constitutional amendments
Local Education
State Commission sides with charter schools most of the time but isn’t a rubber stamp
This fall a little-known state board could play a huge role in expanding school choice options for parents across the state.The Tennessee Public Charter School ...
State Education
Report: Tennessee's inflation-adjusted K-12 school spending increases lower than most states
Tennessee’s per-pupil spending on K-12 public school students, amongst the lowest in the country, increased an inflation-adjusted 18% from 2002 to 2020 while it...