Chalkbeat

Education news. In context.

Chalkbeat

Vouchers

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.

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.

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.

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.

Volley

Tennessee
Updated April 29, 2019

Tennessee’s two largest school districts slam governor’s voucher proposal as unconstitutional

School districts in Memphis and Nashville likely will sue the state if voucher legislation championed by Gov. Bill Lee becomes law, say their two top leaders.

shift

Tennessee
Updated April 25, 2019

Days after historic House vote, education voucher plan clears Tennessee Senate

The Senate’s 20-13 vote on Thursday delivered Gov. Bill Lee a significant victory.

not so fast

Tennessee
April 24, 2019

Historic voucher vote in Tennessee House could be open to legal challenge, says legislative leader

Rep. Mike Stewart says the legitimacy of the 50-48 vote is in question due to the parliamentary actions of Speaker Glen Casada.

Unprecedented

Tennessee
Updated April 23, 2019

Tennessee House passes education voucher bill for the first time, Senate vote to come

Tennessee House Representatives voted 50-48 on Tuesday for Gov. Bill Lee’s education savings account proposal.

study up

National
April 23, 2019

Do voucher students’ scores bounce back after initial declines? New research says no

The new research diminishes a common talking point for voucher proponents — that initial declines in math test scores would be short-lived.

Chess Move

Tennessee
April 22, 2019

With education vouchers teetering in Tennessee, latest proposal targets Memphis and Nashville

A Senate amendment seeks to garner more legislative votes by limiting Gov. Bill Lee's education savings account plan to the state's two largest cities.
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