Chalkbeat

Education news. In context.

Chalkbeat

Bill Lee

Read my lips

Tennessee
June 11, 2019

As funding shrinks reading program, Tennessee governor says literacy remains a priority

Gov. Bill Lee says he’s reevaluating literacy strategies as funding dries up for the state’s popular initiative known as Read to be Ready.

Spending priorities

Tennessee
June 10, 2019

Tennessee’s sweeping literacy initiative in jeopardy as funding dries up

Tennessee’s statewide network of literacy coaches is being dismantled this month and its popular summer reading program is in jeopardy.

whole child

Tennessee
June 7, 2019

Here’s the No. 1 concern that Tennessee’s new education chief heard during her statewide listening tour

Four months into her job, Penny Schwinn says one theme keeps emerging in her visits to classrooms and discussions with educators and stakeholders.

The climb

Tennessee
May 31, 2019

Tennessee bumps base teacher pay up to $36,000

The Tennessee State Board of Education approved a $1,000 increase for teachers with a bachelor’s degree and no teaching experience.

Official

Tennessee
Updated May 24, 2019

Tennessee governor signs controversial education voucher bill into law

Gov. Bill Lee quietly signed his education savings account plan into law on Friday despite calls from Democrats to hold off.

timing

Tennessee
Updated May 22, 2019

Tennessee texting scandal broke too late to derail education voucher legislation

The scandal involving House Speaker Glen Casada emerged after the Republican leader already had helped to pass the controversial voucher bill.

job training

Tennessee
May 14, 2019

New Memphis program encourages more students to pursue careers in construction

The after-school program is Gov. Bill Lee’s latest push to train more high school students to enter careers straight out of high school.

that was fast

Tennessee
May 14, 2019

Tennessee’s new governor named charter school champion by national group

Gov. Bill Lee was the only Tennessean and sole governor singled out by the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools.

twist

Tennessee
May 10, 2019

Not-yet-signed Tennessee voucher bill faces new scrutiny amid report of FBI probe

Education voucher legislation on the verge of becoming law is facing renewed opposition amid reports of an FBI investigation.

The Fine Print

Tennessee
May 8, 2019

Five important things to know about Tennessee’s final voucher legislation

The final legislation will create a major new education program that will mean big changes for students, parents, and public and private schools.

TNReady Triumph

Tennessee
May 7, 2019

Hear that sigh of relief? Online testing just finished in Tennessee – and it worked this time

For the first time in four years, computer-based testing goes smoothly in Tennessee.

devos watch

Tennessee
May 6, 2019

Betsy DeVos praises Tennessee’s voucher program, but won’t say whether undocumented immigrants should be excluded

U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos said she was “thrilled” Tennessee has passed a voucher program, and that it was up to the state to work out if immigrant and undocumented students qualify for it.

High drama

Tennessee
Updated May 1, 2019

Tennessee legislature approves compromise voucher proposal aimed at Memphis, Nashville

Gov. Bill Lee plans to sign compromise legislation affecting students and districts in Tennessee’s two largest cities.

Stacked

Tennessee
May 1, 2019

Lawmakers negotiating Tennessee vouchers include strong ties to private, home school

Here are the education backgrounds of conference committee members seeking to reconcile two voucher bills.

Stuck

Tennessee
April 30, 2019

With no consensus on Tennessee vouchers, here are the issues for legislative negotiators

A conference committee will sort through big disagreements between House and Senate bills to start an education savings account program.
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