Lt. Gov. Randy McNally Announces Retirement
McNally was first elected to the Tennessee General Assembly in 1978 as a state representative
Commissioner Reynolds Makes the Case for Investments in Teacher Raises, Summer Learning Camps, and Education Freedom Scholarships
Governor Lee is proposing $339 million in new K-12 spending.
State Senators Vote Against Policy They Approved 10 Months Ago
Sen. Seal and Hatcher helped reform the approval process for charter schools.
Testing Window Extended for Districts that Need Additional Time Following Winter Storm Fern
Multiple districts, including Metro Nashville Public Schools, remained closed for more than a week following the storm due to transportation and power disruptions.
HOPE Scholarships Could Be Reduced Amid $114 Million Deficit
The Tennessee Education Lottery Scholarship Program (TELS) sits with a projected $114 million deficit, though it is not set in stone – it can be mitigated, though by how much remains to be seen. (Photo by THEC)
Survey Finds Tennessee More Likely to Support Charter Schools, Open Enrollment, and Raising Teacher Pay Than Other States
Tennessee ranks above the national average for parents who favor charter schools.
Lawmakers Consider Making Election Day a Holiday for Students
New legislation would make it easier for college students to vote.
Sports Wagering Council Raises Alarm on Lottery Scholarships Revenue
December saw the first dip in sports betting volume since legalization in Tennessee.
Poll Finds Voters Oppose Removing Algebra II as a Graduation Requirement and Reductions in Required Exams
Of those surveyed, nearly 67 percent oppose removing Algebra II as a graduation requirement.
Department of Education ‘Actively Reviewing Options’ to Delay State Testing
The move is a response to school districts closing due to Winter Storm Fern.
New Poll Finds Voters Support Removing Barriers to Enroll Students Across County Lines
The poll comes as lawmakers are poised to reduce barriers to open enrollment.
House Democrats Fail to Require the Release of Additional Education Freedom Scholarship Data
The House K-12 subcommittee voted the legislation down on a 2-5 party-line vote Tuesday morning.
Governor Lee Proposes $155 Million to Double the Number of Education Freedom Scholarships
Lee said demand warrants the investment in what’s expected to be a tighter budget year to expand the number of scholarships to 40,000.
Applications for the Education Freedom Scholarship Program Exceed Last Year’s Total with Two Weeks Left to Apply
According to a news release, the Tennessee Department of Education has received more than 50,304 new and renewal applications for the program that allows families to use taxpayer dollars for private school expenses.
Tennessee Republican Proposal Could Send Student Immigration Data to ICE
State Republican leaders announced a series of bills on Thursday designed to target illegal immigration, including one that would require a verification of whether K-12 students have lawful immigration status.
Memphis Lawmakers Reach Agreement on Plan to Enable State Intervention into Memphis-Shelby County Schools
State Senator Brent Taylor has agreed to move forward with State Representative Mark White’s plan to create a state-appointed oversight board for Memphis-Shelby County Schools.
New Poll Finds Strong Support for Expanding School Choice and Open Enrollment
More than 60 percent of respondents said they support expanding the Education Freedom Scholarship and adopting policies that allow parents to send their children to public schools across district or county lines without paying tuition.
Education Savings Account Participants Grow Math Proficiency by More than 70 Percent in the Program’s First Three Years
Just 11 percent of participating students tested proficient in math on state testing during the program’s initial 2022-23 year. That number rose to 19.5 percent in the 2024-25 school year.
State Senator Bill Powers Proposes Legislation to Collect ‘Early Warning Signs’ in Schools
The “Early Behavioral Intervention and Reporting Act” defines those signs as including students engaging in or being the victim of harassment, intimidation, bullying, making threats of violence, or exhibiting signs of substance abuse, mental health issues, self-harm, or suicidal ideation.