Spotlight: Nashville Chamber CEO Stephanie Coleman Advances Public Education Through Civic Leadership
When Stephanie Coleman became president and CEO of the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce in February 2025, she brought with her a clear vision for the organization’s future…
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 education leaders, college officials, and concerned community members.
Rocketship Public Schools Drops Charter Appeal in Nashville to Focus on Rutherford County
Rocketship Executive Director Eric Dailey tells the Tennessee Firefly that his organization is only planning to appeal the narrow 4-3 decision in Rutherford County to the Tennessee Public Charter School Commission.
Tennessee Nature Academy Puts Down Roots in Cane Ridge
The Tennessee Nature Academy held a groundbreaking ceremony Wednesday for its new school building that will open on 23 acres of donated land in Cane Ridge next year.
Memphis-Shelby County Schools Approves Fourth KIPP School
The vote aligns with a recommendation from the district charter review team that found the school met all state standards.
Shelby County Commission Delays Vote That Could Cut School Board Members’ Terms Short
A controversial effort to reset all Memphis-Shelby County Schools (MSCS) board terms in 2026 hit pause Monday as the Shelby County Commission delayed its vote, citing legal concerns and public backlash over what critics call an unconstitutional power grab.
Nashville PROPEL Calls for Superintendent Dr. Adrienne Battle to Step Down
The parent advocacy organization is upset that Battle’s administration is paying a reported $6.5 million in a legal settlement with five former school administrators who sued the district for alleged discrimination.
Novus SMART Academy Approval Brings a Fourth Public Charter School to Rutherford County
Board members Tammy Sharp, Katie Darby, Stan Vaught, and Vice-Chair Frances voted in support of Novus SMART, while Chair Claire Maxwell, Butch Vaughn, and Caleb Tidwell voted against it.
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 flexible instructional time model, measured in hours or minutes.
Tennessee’s Tax-Free Weekend Returns as School Supply Policies Vary by District
With Tennessee’s annual Tax-Free Weekend scheduled for July 26–28, families across the state are preparing for back-to-school purchases.
Rocketship Public Schools Proposes Expanding its Personalized Learning Model into Rutherford County
Members of the Rutherford County Schools Board of Education denied Rocketship’s application in April, but multiple members encouraged the charter operator to make revisions and resubmit for a vote tonight.
Hamilton County School Board Unanimously Denies the Proposed Tennessee Wildflower Public School
The Hamilton County School Board voted unanimously to reject the amended application for the proposed Tennessee Wildflower Public School, citing unresolved deficiencies despite revisions.
Jeremy Sager has Helped Students in Memphis and Nashville Achieve Success. His ‘Two-Educator Model’ Could Do Even More in Rutherford County
On Thursday, members of the Rutherford County Board of Education will decide whether to approve Jeremy Sager’s application to open Novus SMART Academy (K-8).
Tennessee to Develop Stackable Credential Strategies Through Lumina Partnership
Tennessee has been selected to join Lumina Foundation’s FutureReady States initiative, a national effort to align short-term credentials with quality jobs and expand access for adult learners. The state will focus on defining and tracking stackable credentials to build clearer, more flexible education pathways.
Tennessee Department of Education, Metro Nashville Public Schools Win Top Honors at 2025 ACT Summit
The Tennessee Department of Education (TDOE) and Metro Nashville Public Schools (MNPS) received top honors at the 2025 ACT State and District Summit for their leadership in preparing students for postsecondary success.
Franklin Special School District Teacher of the Year Finalist Ginger Colvett Champions Literacy and Belonging for English Learners
Franklin Special School District educator Ginger Colvett is being celebrated statewide as a 2025–26 Tennessee Teacher of the Year finalist for her remarkable work championing literacy, inclusion, and opportunity for English Learners.
Tennessee Nature Academy Receives $2 Million Land Donation for Permanent Nature-Based Campus in Davidson County
Tennessee Nature Academy has secured a 23-acre permanent campus site in Cane Ridge, thanks to a $2 million land donation from the McGowan family. The tuition-free public charter school will use the forest, stream, and wetland-filled property to deepen its outdoor-based, hands-on learning model for grades 5–12. Groundbreaking is set for July 30, 2025.
Tennessee Workers Left Behind: New Study Finds Only 12% of Non-Degree Credentials Significantly Boost Wages Amid Rising Housing Costs
A national study finds just 12% of certificates and industry credentials significantly raise wages—leaving many Tennessee workers struggling as rent and home prices outpace income.
Anderson County Teacher of the Year Finalist Chrissy Rose Helps Students Pave Their Own ‘Roads to Mastery’
Anderson County Schools’ Teacher of the Year finalist Chrissy Rose is a dedicated third-grade teacher at Grand Oaks Elementary known for her innovative, trauma-informed teaching methods.
Jackson-Madison County School Board Rejects County’s First Public Charter School
The Jackson Museum School would utilize a “museum model” similar to schools in Atlanta and Chattanooga, which infuses subjects like science and math into weekly expeditions to local cultural centers.