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.
Tennessee students still aren’t completely back to pre-pandemic levels on the Nation’s Report Card but they’re beating the national average
Tennessee students outperformed the NAEP national average for proficiency in both subjects for both grades. Tennessee students have largely been below the national average in both subjects going back to 2003, with the exception of 2015 when fourth-graders exceeded the national average in math and eighth-graders exceeded it in reading.
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 2025 by replacing half of the members serving on the influential House Education Committee.
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 referred to as school vouchers, and last year’s plan that failed, is a provision designed to ease fears about potential lost revenue for school districts.
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 School district.
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’s expected to play a big role in the legislative session and upcoming special session.
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 Education Freedom Scholarship Act of 2025 (frequently called vouchers), Hurricane Helene relief for East Tennessee, and illegal immigration.
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 serve as House Speaker with 75 votes to Democrat nominee Representative Karen Camper’s, D-Memphis, 23 votes.
Report says students in Tennessee’s Navigate Reconnect program are more likely to gain post-secondary credentials
A new report from the Tennessee Higher Education Commission (THEC) says students in Tennessee’s primary college coaching and advising program are more likely than others to gain post-secondary credentials.
SCORE report finds AI is having a growing influence in Tennessee classrooms
While schools and universities were initially reluctant to embrace artificial intelligence tools like ChatGPT due to concerns about AI plagiarism and AI hallucinations, educators are now using AI to enhance instruction and familiarize students with emerging technologies.
Tennessee Charter School Center says charter schools are outperforming non-charter schools on ACT exams
A new memo from the Tennessee Charter School Center suggests that many charter school students are outperforming their non-charter school peers in ACT exams.
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 President Donald Trump on January 20.
Tennessee Department of Education reports improvement among all student groups on the ACT
New data from the Tennessee Department of Education indicates that the state average composite ACT score increased from 19 in 2023 to 19.3 in 2024, among other notable findings.
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 percent in opposition.
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 allow athletes to transfer schools with fewer restrictions.
Tennessee School Boards Association opens applications for Prospective Superintendent Academy
The Tennessee School Boards Association (TSBA) is looking to prepare more educators to lead school districts across the state as Tennessee faces a shortage of superintendent candidates.
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.
Tennessee Department of Education names 2024-25 Tennessee Principal, Supervisor of the Year
The Tennessee Department of Education has named the 2024-25 Principal of the Year and Supervisor of the Year, along with the two 2024-25 Recognizing Inspiring School Employees (RISE) state finalists, a recent announcement said.
Board of Regents notes 19 percent increase in TCAT enrollment
New data from the state indicates that total enrollment in Tennessee Colleges of Applied Technology (TCATs) increased to 44,723 during the 2023-24 academic year.