Four teachers named finalists for award recognizing excellence in math and science
The PAEMST award is considered the nation’s highest honor for U.S. K-12 science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and/or computer science teachers.
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 board member.
Summer reading contest encourages children to stop the “summer slide”
Education advocacy organization Tennesseans for Student Success created Tristar Reads to encourage children to read during their summer break.
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 have the option of applying directly to the Tennessee Public Charter School Commission for approval.
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 and to ask questions about some of the challenges that appeared during its launch.
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 private school expenses.
Two polls find Tennessee voters are less enthusiastic about high-profile public education changes than the lawmakers approving them
Both polls asked voters for their support of key education policies that have been backed this year by Republican leaders, including President Trump and Governor Bill Lee.
National Education Association report finds Tennessee has improved its ranking in K-12 spending but still lags most states
A new report from the National Education Association finds Tennessee’s education investments appear to be making an impact, but not one that’s large enough to vault the state to the head of the class for education spending.
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.
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 to exist in its current form.
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.
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.
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 education students, whether schools should have a minimum number of required instructional hours, and the licensure requirements for teachers.
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 due to athletic or disciplinary reasons.
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 as a nonvoting school board member.
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 committee.
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 supporters say will improve the approval process for public charter schools.
Tennessee Comprehensive Assessment Program (TCAP) testing begins for Tennessee students
The TCAP is a statewide standardized testing program that includes assessments in English language arts (ELA), math, science, and social studies.
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 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, environmental, or mental health need, provided the sending school does not attest the transfer was due to athletic or disciplinary reasons.

