Chalkbeat

Education news. In context.

Chalkbeat

Testing

tick tock

Tennessee
Updated January 30, 2019

Just months before its next testing company is supposed to start, Tennessee has yet to receive its first bid

The state has yet to release its request for proposals soliciting testing companies to take over its embattled TNReady assessment program.

Moving

Tennessee
January 23, 2019

Tennessee’s next education chief starts in February. Here’s how she’s prepping.

Penny Schwinn is winding down her obligations in Texas, where she has overseen academics since 2016.

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.

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

Year-end review

Tennessee
December 21, 2018

From testing to leadership transitions, here are the stories that you read most in 2018

Before the year came to an end, we took a look back into our archives to find the top education stories from 2018.

Survey Results

Tennessee
December 19, 2018

Hundreds of teachers describe TNReady testing confusion, chaos in new report

The problems that plagued online testing in Tennessee schools this year are no secret. But a new 1,700-page report gives what…

TNReady Audit

Tennessee
December 19, 2018

Tennessee was ‘overly ambitious’ in pushing online testing, says state’s chief investigator

Problems with TNReady testing are the focus of the state comptroller's year-long audit.

high-stress testing

National
December 13, 2018

How the stress of state testing might make it harder for some students to show what they know

In one New Orleans charter network saw modest spikes in cortisol, a hormone caused by stress, leading up to state exams.

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…

Testing

Tennessee
November 27, 2018

Memphis school board considers asking lawmakers to drop TNReady testing

The panel has sharply criticized the state for its failure to implement a reliable online test, but until now has stopped short of asking lawmakers to eliminate it.

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?

First Person

National
November 13, 2018

Like most superintendents, I cared a lot about test scores. Too much, it turns out.

If life outcomes are what we are about, and test prep keeps us from helping students, we should welcome state test scores going down, argues Paymon Rouhanifard.

litmus tests

National
November 13, 2018

In a shift, more education reformers say they’re worried about schools’ focus on testing

The pervasiveness of the complaints about testing was striking.

Bill Lee's words

Tennessee
November 6, 2018

Here’s what Tennessee’s next governor says about K-12 education

Republican businessman Bill Lee gave his positions on big education issues in response to a Chalkbeat survey earlier this year.

campaign trail

Tennessee
October 26, 2018

More teachers are running for state office this year. Meet two from Tennessee.

In a wave of political activism, more than 150 teachers nationwide are seeking legislative office this year. Tennessee is part of that movement.
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