Tennessee could see as many as 17 new public charter schools next year
Five Tennessee school districts across the state received letters of intent for 17 proposed new public charter schools by last week’s deadline. Letters of intent are the first official step in next year’s new start charter application process.
Vanderbilt’s Dare to Grow fundraising campaign surpasses ‘unprecedented’ $3.2 billion
Vanderbilt University’s Dare to Grow campaign to expand student programming has surpassed its $3.2 billion fundraising goal 20 months ahead of its target date in June 2026, a recent announcement said.
New analysis finds Tennessee’s largest school districts underperforming math expectations
National education news organization the 74 found Tennessee’s largest school districts are achieving math proficiency at lower rates than expected based on poverty.
Former TSU administrator says she lost her job after refusing to submit incorrect financial aid info
Tanaka Vercher filed the suit in Davidson County Chancery Court on Monday claiming TSU leaders fired her the day after she refused to provide incorrect information to the federal government to speed up disbursement of financial aid to the cash strapped university.
Tennessee recognizes 377 Reward Schools. Schools of choice led the way in the state’s two largest school districts
The Tennessee Department of Education announced the 377 schools across the state that have received the designation as Reward Schools for the 2023/2024 school year.
Public charter schools led the way in the state’s largest school district, accounting for nearly a third of Memphis-Shelby County Schools’ 34 Reward Schools.
LEAD Cameron is outperforming peer middle schools. Why are Nashville school leaders trying to divert students away?
The Metro Nashville Public Schools Board of Education voted unanimously Tuesday night to approve a rezoning plan that effectively diverts students away from LEAD Cameron Middle School
State leaders grill interim Tennessee State University officials for running out of money
State leaders criticized Tennessee State University for financial and operational mismanagement during a Thursday State Building Commission Meeting, amid recent fears that the university is running out of money.
Metro Nashville and Hamilton County school districts celebrate student growth
Metro Nashville Public Schools has attained a Level 5 growth score from the Tennessee Value Added Assessment System (TVAAS), an announcement from the district said.
Parents and educators urge state commission to renew charter for LEAD Neely’s Bend Middle School
Since opening its doors for the 2015-16 school year, LEAD Neely’s Bend Middle School has garnered support from many parents in the Madison area who say the charter school’s approach to education has been beneficial for their children’s academic growth.
Thirteen public charter schools to make their case to stay open
In the coming weeks, leaders of more than a dozen public charter schools will make the case for why their school’s charter should be renewed for another ten-year term. Charter schools are free public schools operated by an independent contract or “charter” with an authorizing agency like a school district or the state.
This year, five authorizing agencies including school board members with Metro Nashville Public Schools (MNPS), Memphis-Shelby County Schools, Hamilton County Schools, Knox County Schools, along with members of the state-run Tennessee Public Charter School Commission will make those decisions for thirteen charter schools.
Students report racist text messages following presidential election
Black students in schools and universities across Tennessee and the nation have reported a slew of racist text messages evoking slavery in the days following former President Donald Trump’s victory in the presidential election this week.
Status quo wins in every closely watched House race
Going into Tuesday night’s general election, Tennessee Democrats had high hopes of whittling into the Republican supermajority by winning a handful of House seats that are currently held by Republicans. On the flipside, GOP leaders targeted growing their supermajority by flipping three Middle Tennessee seats currently held by Democrats.
Neither came to fruition, but one came close.
Metro Nashville Public Schools breaks graduation rate record
New data from Metro Nashville Public Schools says the district has achieved a 4.5 percentage point year-over-year growth in the district's graduation rate, bringing it to 85.7 percent for the 2023-24 cohort.
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 broader effort to help soon-to-be voters advocate for their own education and influence public policy.
NursesMC Nashville aims to be just what the doctor ordered for Tennessee’s nursing shortage
Dr. Andrea Poynter says her work establishing a new nursing based public charter school in Nashville is in full “overdrive” right now. Poynter is the process of filling leadership positions at the future Nurses Middle College Nashville, while also finalizing negotiations for a temporary space to use when the school opens next fall to an initial class of 125 ninth-graders interested in a career in nursing.
Metro Nashville Public Schools Director Battle to receive new contract
The Metro Nashville Public Schools (MNPS) Board of Education voted unanimously Tuesday to present MNPS Director Dr. Adrienne Battle with a new four-year contract and salary increase.
State commission overturns Metro Nashville Public Schools Board of Education to approve three new public charter schools
Tennessee Public Charter School Commission overturns Metro Nashville Public Schools Board of Education to approve two new public charter schools.
Metro Nashville Public Schools awarded a federal grant to establish four magnet school programs
Metro Nashville Public Schools announced a $15 million federal Magnet Schools Assistance Program grant at a press conference Monday to establish magnet programs at Glenview Elementary, Paragon Mills Elementary, Stratton Elementary, and Brick Church Middle School.
Three proposed public charter schools in Nashville receive positive recommendation for approval
Supporters of three proposed new public charter schools in Nashville are receiving support from the Executive Director of the state board tasked with deciding their future. Tennessee Public Charter School Commission Executive Director Tess Stovall released written recommendations this week supporting the appeals from Nurses Middle College, LEAD Southeast Elementary, and Encompass Community School.
Study finds low math confidence among Black female students in Nashville
A new study published in Sage Journals suggests that Black female students in Nashville have significantly less confidence in math than their male counterparts due to internalized stereotypes about race and gender, as well as concerns about the quality of instruction. Learn more about the study's findings and conclusions.

