Chalkbeat

Education news. In context.

Chalkbeat

Rep. Bill Dunn

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.

changeup

Tennessee
December 18, 2017

School vouchers hit snag in Tennessee as sponsor announces he won’t advance bill

Sen. Brian Kelsey says he won’t ask a Senate committee to take up his bill when the legislature reconvenes next month.

Reading writing recess

Tennessee
March 20, 2017

Tennessee lawmakers revise school recess law to strike the right balance on playtime

The state Senate votes to approve the measure, which rolls back stringent playtime requirements that went into effect this school year.

explainer

Tennessee
March 9, 2017

Here’s what you need to know about Tennessee’s latest voucher proposal

Here are answers to questions from some of our readers about a new proposal to pilot tuition vouchers in Memphis.

And so it begins

Tennessee
March 7, 2017

Tennessee lawmakers take first step toward school vouchers

Tennessee lawmakers easily advance a proposal that would start a five-year pilot program in Memphis.

Voucher roundup

Tennessee
January 23, 2017

Gearing up for Tennessee’s voucher fight? Here are eight stories to read.

This will mark Tennessee’s seventh year of legislative debate over vouchers.

TNLEG 2017

Tennessee
January 9, 2017

Here are four education issues to watch as Tennessee’s legislature kicks off

Tennessee lawmakers expect to revisit two perennial questions about school spending and vouchers during the 110th General Assembly, which starts this week.

Voucher votes

Tennessee
November 29, 2016

Trump wants states to push vouchers. Tennessee shows why that might be hard, even in red states.

The perennial battle over vouchers in Tennessee shows the choices made by lawmakers when public support isn't there.

Funding fights

Tennessee
September 8, 2016

States often get sued over school funding. Here’s what makes Tennessee stand out.

When it comes to providing adequate funding to educate students based on today’s standards, Tennessee isn’t coming close, say national experts.
Tennessee
March 10, 2016

Tennessee’s state-run school turnaround district poised to escape lawmakers’ intervention — again

Only two of seven bills related to the state-run Achievement School District appear to still be in play in this year's legislative session. Both are watered down.

vouchers flounder

Tennessee
February 11, 2016

Once considered a sure thing, vouchers fizzle in Tennessee legislature

A bill that until recently seemed assured to introduce school vouchers in Tennessee flies off the table after its chief advocate realized it wouldn't pass.

curve ball

Tennessee
February 10, 2016

Latest school voucher proposal would restrict new pilot program to Memphis students

A new amendment to a hotly contested piece of voucher legislation scheduled for a vote Thursday would make Memphis the home of a pilot program to see how it works.
Tennessee
February 9, 2016

Seemingly on track for passage, school vouchers now face less certain path in Tennessee

Efforts to delay Monday's scheduled vote offers a foretaste of the battle ahead on Thursday, when voucher legislation is expected to go before the full House.

Pre-K

Tennessee
September 24, 2015

Educators, researchers grapple with future of pre-kindergarten in Tennessee

A panel convened by Vanderbilt's Peabody College of Education discusses what it would take to have high-quality pre-kindergarten programs across the state.