Chalkbeat

Education news. In context.

Chalkbeat

Bill Lee

To Do

Tennessee
Updated January 17, 2019

Tennessee’s new ed chief says troubleshooting testing is first priority

Penny Schwinn's experience with assessment programs in two other states is a strength in her new role in Tennessee, where test administration has been problematic.

first reaction

Tennessee
January 17, 2019

Tennesseans hope their new education commissioner can get testing right

“She has experience managing statewide assessment systems, and her experience, perspective, and lessons learned are exactly what we need right now, said SCORE's leader David Mansouri.

New leader

Tennessee
Updated January 17, 2019

Lee picks Texas academic chief Penny Schwinn as Tennessee’s next education commissioner

The choice is one of the last and most important cabinet picks for governor-elect Bill Lee, who made education a top priority on the campaign trail.

Q&A

Tennessee
January 16, 2019

Testing, vouchers, and pre-K: Tennessee legislature’s new ed leader weighs in

A Q&A with Rep. Mark White, the new chairman of Tennessee's powerful House Education Committee

game plan

Tennessee
January 11, 2019

After years of school voucher rejections, backers consider another approach in Tennessee

"School choice" advocates view education savings accounts as an attractive alternative for Tennessee.

Rosters

Tennessee
January 10, 2019

Meet the Tennessee lawmakers who will shape education legislation this year

Thirty-two legislators will serve as the gatekeepers for hundreds of bills dealing with public education over the next two years.

looking forward

Tennessee
January 2, 2019

Here are the education issues we’re watching in Tennessee’s statehouse in 2019

With a new governor, a new education commissioner, and new lawmakers steering school policy, 2019 could be a big year for education in the Tennessee statehouse.

Transition plan

Tennessee
December 19, 2018

Haslam names deputy commissioner Lyle Ailshie as Tennessee’s interim ed chief

Ailshie will lead the education department beginning Jan. 2 and continue until Gov.-elect Bill Lee names a successor for Candice McQueen.

Transition

Tennessee
December 6, 2018

Chief of Tennessee education group SCORE to step down and pass baton to colleague

Jamie Woodson will soon step down as CEO of the advocacy and research organization that she has led for eight years.

Achievement School District

Tennessee
December 5, 2018

McQueen: More school takeovers ‘most likely’ coming to Memphis and Nashville

Tennessee's outgoing education chief says she'll recommend more takeovers to the next governor, unless there's significant improvement.

Testing

Tennessee
December 4, 2018

Memphis school board softens request to reform state’s troubled TNReady test

The board governing Tennessee’s largest school district is asking state legislators to rely less on the standardized test known as TNReady, which has endured a…

inner circle

Tennessee
November 27, 2018

Gov.-elect Lee names Tennessee voucher advocate as his policy director

Tony Niknejad previously was director of Tennessee's chapter of the American Federation for Children.

in your own words

Tennessee
November 26, 2018

Dear Bill Lee… ‘Respect our judgment and decisions,’ and other pieces of advice from Tennessee educators

After the election, we asked Tennessee educators: What would you tell newly elected Gov. Bill Lee about your classroom?

future of SCS

Tennessee
November 20, 2018

Dorsey Hopson leaving Shelby County Schools, sources say

Rumors of Hopson’s departure have been flying for months and he said as recently as early October he had no intention of leaving, saying he was “excited about our momentum.”

The right stuff

Tennessee
November 19, 2018

Who will be Tennessee’s next education chief? Gov.-elect Bill Lee is getting lots of advice

The Republican businessman is looking for the right fit to lead his vision for Tennessee schools.
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