Chalkbeat

Education news. In context.

Chalkbeat

Tennessee

TN pre-K at a crossroads

After the shocking findings of a 2015 Vanderbilt study called into question the long-touted benefits of public pre-K, what does high-quality pre-K look like, and how can TN scale up?

drilling down

Tennessee
August 2, 2019

Pre-K benefits faded in Tennessee — but not for the reasons you think, says new study

A new study says long-lasting pre-K benefits depend on more than just the quality of the pre-K program.

early childhood

Tennessee
June 24, 2019

Funding approval will save 1,000 pre-K seats in Memphis

Shelby County commissioners signed off Monday on $2.5 million in new prekindergarten funding — replacing federal early childhood funds that are expiring June 30.

Early education

Tennessee
February 22, 2019

Is Tennessee moving its weakest teachers to early, non-tested grades? New research says yes.

Low-performing teachers in grades 3 through 5 are more likely to be reassigned to non-tested early grades than their more effective peers.

Teaching teachers

Tennessee
October 18, 2017

How a Memphis pre-K giant is changing the way early childhood educators are taught

About 500 Memphis teachers will go through Porter-Leath’s training this year in an effort to boost the quality of early education instruction.

Paying for pre-K

Tennessee
June 29, 2017

With clock ticking on federal pre-K grant, districts in Shelby County and Nashville explore next steps

Tennessee's $70 million federal grant to expand pre-K offerings in five districts will dry up in 2019.

early childhood

Tennessee
May 31, 2017

For the first time, Tennessee awards pre-K funding based on quality, not quantity

The awards will go to nearly 95 percent of Tennessee's 146 districts to serve at-risk 4-year-olds.

Testing conundrum

Tennessee
April 18, 2017

McQueen wants to prevent non-tested early grades from becoming a dumping ground for weaker teachers

Tennessee's education commissioner says a new teacher evaluation system for lower grades should help strengthen the quality of the state's early instruction.

Early education

Tennessee
March 24, 2017

Tennessee lawmakers vote to leave pre-K alone this year

State lawmakers turn back a bill that would have allowed some districts to spend their state pre-K money elsewhere.

Regrouping

Tennessee
February 27, 2017

Tennessee’s pre-K wasn’t working, a 2015 study found. Now the state is putting new focus on teaching.

Catalyzed by a landmark study showing its public prekindergarten programs are ineffective, the Tennessee Department of Education is overhauling its program.

big debut

Tennessee
February 9, 2017

Memphis is about to open a major pre-K center. Advocates hope it’s just the start.

Porter-Leath’s new Early Childhood Academy will open Friday as the first of its kind in Memphis.

Littlest learners

Tennessee
August 22, 2016

Tennessee preschool selected as national model for fixing racial discipline gap

A Nashville preschool is one of two schools nationwide selected for $1 million grants, the U.S. Department of Education announced last week.
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