New Survey Finds Most Parents Would Send Their Kids to Private School if Tax Dollars Were Available
A new national survey reveals that most parents would send their children to private or religious schools if public funding were available, signaling a major shift in attitudes toward school choice. The 57th annual PDK Poll also found declining confidence in public schools, urgent concerns about teacher pay and staffing shortages, and broad opposition to eliminating the U.S. Department of Education.
Tennessee’s $9.5 Billion School Funding Plan Provides Fewer State Dollars Per Student than the Education Freedom Scholarship Plan
Tennessee education officials on Friday unveiled the full set of public-school funding allocations for districts across the state, and the average portion the state is providing is less per student than Tennessee is giving families through the new Education Freedom Scholarship.
Teacher’s Union President Encourages Advisory Committee to Recommend Reducing the Frequency of Evaluations
The Tennessee Education Association reaffirmed its support for proposed legislation from earlier this year it called “Freedom to Teach,” that would have removed the annual evaluations for roughly 95 percent of public school teachers.
Williamson County Parents Sue School Board for Allegedly Allowing a Transgender Student to Participate in an All-Girls Sex Ed Class
The lawsuit stems from two seventh grade family life classes that occurred last May at Legacy Middle School in Franklin.
Analysis of Tennessee’s Testing Data Finds Public Charter School Students Improving in Math and English
Statewide, three percent more charter students tested proficient in math on the TCAP than last year and English language arts proficiency grew by a single percentage point.
Tennessee Charter Schools Face $1,500 Per-Pupil Facilities Funding Gap, Survey Finds
Tennessee’s public charter schools face an estimated $1,500 per-pupil facilities funding gap compared to traditional public schools, according to new data from the Tennessee Charter School Center (TCSC).
Sen. Blackburn Says Ed Freedom Scholarship Program Will be a Key Part of Her Ed Policy
The program, frequently referred to as vouchers, is providing 20 thousand children with tax dollars to pay for private school expenses, and Blackburn says it will be a key part of her education policy if she’s elected governor next year.
Trump-Appointed Education Secretary Linda McMahon Visits Tennessee to Promote State-Led School Policy and Literacy Gains
U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon visited Tennessee on Wednesday as part of her nationwide “Returning Education to the States” tour,.
Tennessee Non-Traditional Degree Pathway Programs Need More Support to Retain Teachers, Researchers Say
Tennessee teachers who complete non-traditional pathways to licensure are significantly less likely than traditional degree program graduates to remain in the profession during their early careers, particularly by the start of their fifth year, according to a new study from TERA.
Metro Nashville Public Schools Superintendent Faces Criticism and Support at Board Meeting
Half a dozen parents, including Kindall Maupin, utilized the meeting’s public comment phase to attack Dr. Battle’s leadership, and a recent $6.5 million legal settlement with former district administrators approved by the Board of Education.
Tennessee Teachers Oppose Classroom Cellphone Use but Are Interested in Artificial Intelligence, Survey Finds
A new statewide poll of Tennessee teachers found many remain skeptical of cellphone use at school.
The Forge School Builds Support Among Nashville Parents and Students
The proposed sixth through 12th grade public charter school is designed to provide hands-on, real-world learning to students who are interested in careers in architecture, construction, or engineering.
Judge Denies Former Memphis-Shelby County Schools Superintendent’s Request to be Reinstated
On Friday, Shelby County Circuit Court Judge Robert Childers issued an order denying Feagins’ request for a preliminary injunction of her controversial termination.
Poll: Tennessee Teachers Strongly Support Student-First Teacher Performance Evaluations
More than 80 percent of Tennessee teachers surveyed hold positive views of the state’s student-outcomes-based teacher evaluation system, according to the 2025 Tennessee Educator Survey released Friday.
Future Tennessee Teachers Can Now Qualify for Loan Forgiveness with Fewer Requirements
Aspiring Tennessee teachers now have a clearer and more affordable pathway into the classroom. THEC voted this week to revise the TN Future Teacher Scholarship program, cutting the required teaching commitment in half.
Senator Marsha Blackburn Leads Congressman John Rose in First Poll of 2026 Governor’s Race
The Beacon Center says 66 percent of respondents said they support Blackburn compared to the 14 percent who chose Rose. 19 percent of voters were undecided.
MNPS Partners with Vanderbilt on $450K Study to Combat Chronic Absenteeism in Nashville Schools
Metro Nashville Public Schools (MNPS) is teaming up with Vanderbilt University on a new $450 thousand research project aimed at tackling one of the city’s most pressing education challenges: chronic absenteeism.
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…
Senator Marsha Blackburn Highlights Support for School Choice in Gubernatorial Campaign Announcement
Blackburn promised to make Tennessee America’s number one “job-creating, energy-producing powerhouse” and highlighted her support for President Trump and his priorities on multiple issues including school choice and illegal immigration.
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.

