Chalkbeat

Education news. In context.

Chalkbeat

Vouchers

study up

National
8 hours ago

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
12 hours ago

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.

DIALOGUE

Tennessee
April 16, 2019

Tennessee governor huddles with school leaders in cities affected by his voucher proposal

In a closed-door meeting at the Capitol, Gov. Bill Lee hears from leaders in the five cities that would be affected by his voucher proposal.

Opposition

Tennessee
April 15, 2019

Tennessee governor’s voucher proposal is ‘step backwards,’ says civil rights, education coalition

A statewide coalition of more than 50 civil rights and education advocacy groups come out against Gov. Bill Lee’s signature education proposal.

Double standard?

Tennessee
April 12, 2019

After a decade of prioritizing testing accountability, Tennessee appears ready to ease up with vouchers

Under Gov. Bill Lee's proposal, students receiving education savings accounts would take half as many assessments as those in public schools.

Constitutional muster

Tennessee
Updated April 10, 2019

Tennessee’s voucher proposal excludes undocumented students, making it vulnerable to legal challenge

Gov. Bill Lee and the GOP-controlled legislature stick with language that would require checking families’ immigration status to receive education savings accounts.

Capitol Hill

Tennessee
Updated April 10, 2019

Tennessee voucher program would double in size, but still bar undocumented students in latest proposal

Gov. Bill Lee’s education savings account proposal is slated to debut in Tennessee’s Senate with some significant changes from the House version.

Round Two

Tennessee
April 5, 2019

Is Tennessee governor’s voucher plan in trouble? Senate leader says it needs work.

Sen. Dolores Gresham is working on another version of the bill that has early momentum in the House but raises significant concerns for her chamber.

$$$

Tennessee
April 3, 2019

Lawmakers lower income limit for Tennessee vouchers eligibility

The bill now limits eligible households to those with an annual income that isn’t more than double the threshold for free lunch under federal guidelines.

Crickets

Tennessee
April 2, 2019

Black Memphis voucher advocates notably absent on Gov. Bill Lee’s school choice proposal

Last week, when the bill came before and subsequently cleared a key House committee, no black leaders from Memphis spoke in favor of the measure.

School choice

Tennessee
Updated April 1, 2019

Betsy DeVos joins Tennessee governor in full-court press for expanded school choice

While U.S. education chief Betsy DeVos isn't convincing members of Congress to expand education choices for families, she found a more receptive audience in Tennessee.

Government 101

Tennessee
March 29, 2019

Voucher bill has momentum in Tennessee, but faces many more votes to become law

Gov. Bill Lee’s education voucher proposal has momentum after clearing two legislative committees, but still faces numerous votes to become law.

Regrouping

Tennessee
March 29, 2019

Tennessee voucher opponents forced to shift strategy as bill barrels through legislature

In the past, critics of vouchers have had more time to mount spirited public opposition. But this year's bill didn't come until two months into the legislative session.