Senator Marsha Blackburn Holds Strong Lead in Latest Poll of Governor’s Race
Blackburn held the support of 60 percent of the 484 Republican voters surveyed online in the poll, well ahead of Congressman John Rose’s 10 percent and State Representative Monte Fritts’ five percent.
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 could affect school staffing and services for disadvantaged students.
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 teachers.
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 of locally mandated tests and the reasons for them.
Tennessee Education Leaders Debate the Value of Charters, Vouchers and Accountability in School Choice
On Monday, a panel hosted by the League of Women Voters of Murfreesboro‑Rutherford County brought together education leaders from private, charter, and traditional public schools to debate the emerging landscape of school choice in Tennessee.
Teachers Union Calls for Ending Annual Evaluations for Every Teacher, Even Though Its Own Poll Shows 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.
UT System Reports Record Enrollment, Research Growth, and Workforce Development Push in 2025
The University of Tennessee System has reached historic highs in 2025, reporting record enrollment, retention, and research funding across its campuses.
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 Education.
Tennessee Gubernatorial Candidate Jerri Green Wants to End ‘Voucher Scheme’ and Follow Kentucky’s Lead
Speaking at a town hall event in Jonesborough, Tennessee last week, Green said her priorities would be to expand Medicaid, repeal Tennessee’s grocery tax, and end the Tennessee Education Freedom Scholarship Act that allows families to use taxpayer dollars to send their children to private school.
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 for students in high school and higher 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 under the state-run Achievement School District.
Madison County’s First Public Charter School Approved to Open in 2026
The Tennessee Public Charter School Commission unanimously voted to overturn a Jackson-Madison County’s School Board decision and clear the way for the Jackson Museum School to open in 2026.
Tennessee Commission Unanimously Approves a Rocketship Charter School in Rutherford County
The Tennessee Public Charter School Commission voted unanimously Thursday to approve Rocketship Public Schools’ expansion into Rutherford County, overturning the local school board’s previous denial. The decision clears the way for the county’s fourth charter school, which will open next August and serve students in La Vergne and Smyrna.
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 and district leaders across the state. The honorees exemplify transformational leadership, innovation, and commitment to student achievement in Tennessee’s public schools.
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 week’s sunset hearings at the State Capitol.
Proposed Public Charter Schools in Rutherford and Madison Counties Receive Key Support
The Tennessee Public Charter School Commission is holding a meeting tomorrow to decide appeals from the Jackson Museum School and Rocketship Public Schools.
Tennessee Education Savings Account Participants Mostly Outperform Economically Disadvantaged Students in Their Home Districts
Last school year, 3,693 students in Nashville, Memphis, and Chattanooga received assistance for private school expenses through the Education Savings Account (ESA), frequently referred to as school vouchers.
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’ financial strain as early voting begins for the November 4 election.
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 readiness, governance, and academic planning.
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 strong, high-paying jobs and strengthen the state’s workforce.

