Chalkbeat

Education news. In context.

Chalkbeat

Vouchers

First Person

Tennessee
June 12, 2019

I’m a public school teacher in Memphis. Here’s why the state’s new voucher-like program worries me.

Will anyone notice if my students, who are mostly low-income, African-American and Latino, aren't getting their needs met?

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.

transportation

Colorado
May 23, 2019

Denver to offer teens a free transit pass on their smartphones

To help boost the mobility of young people, Denver will offer 12- to 18-year-olds free transit passes usable with their smartphones this summer.

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.

voucher verdict

National
May 15, 2019

D.C. voucher students don’t see test score gains, but are less likely to be frequently absent, latest research shows

The results are a mixed bag, but offer good news compared to earlier studies of D.C.’s program.

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.

Charters & Choice

Detroit
May 6, 2019

Betsy DeVos: Michigan doesn’t have enough school choice

A powerful advocate of school choice in Michigan says it hasn't gone far enough.

devos watch

National
May 6, 2019

Betsy DeVos’s explanation for negative voucher results: Program was ‘not very well conceived’

Her response is surprising — and doesn't explain why programs in other states and Washington, D.C. appear to be hurting scores, too.

devos watch

Chicago
May 3, 2019

Three things Betsy DeVos said in Chicago — and one big topic she didn’t address

Betsy DeVos talked about two kinds of vouchers and pushed for vocational education, but skirted mentioning Illinois' pushback against tax credits for school choice.

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.
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