THIS WEEK'S TENNESSEE EDUCATION REPORT
EDUCATION POLITICS AND POLICY IN THE VOLUNTEER STATE
Toward a More Inclusive Williamson County
by Andy Spears / 3d
Even as one local group born of Astroturf seeks to ban books and implement a “cancel culture” mentality in the school districts, parents affiliated with local, grassroots group OneWillCo in Williamson County took to the School Board meeting last night to speak in favor of diversity and inclusion. Here’s a press release highlighting comments made by members/supporters of the group: Alanna Truss, a
Unenforceable
by Andy Spears / 4d
That’s the word coming down from a federal court about Gov. Bill Lee’s legislative attempt to ban school districts from implementing/enforcing mask mandates in response to COVID-19. Mariah Timms in the Tennessean has more : A court order blocking the implementation of a new Tennessee law preventing schools from issuing mask orders will remain in effect, likely through at least Thanksgiving, as ar
Thwarted
by Andy Spears / 4d
Gov. Bill Lee’s joint effort with the Tennessee General Assembly to score political points around mask mandates in schools has been thwarted once again by the courts. Of course, this will likely allow Lee to rail against “activist” judges, but the point is: The ban on mask mandates Lee supported and the legislature passed remains sound and fury signifying nothing. Newschannel9 in Chattanooga has
Community Groups Call for Increased School Funding
by Andy Spears / 10d
In a state that continues to earn failing grades in school funding, community groups in Nashville, Memphis, and Chattanooga are calling on Gov. Bill Lee and legislative leaders to both increase school funding and update the BEP with a focus on equity. TN School Funding Report Card: 1 D, 2 Fs Here’s an open letter penned by the groups: To Governor Lee, members of the General Assembly, the Funding
The BEP Voucher Plan
by Andy Spears / 11d
Tennessee teacher and education blogger Mike Stein offers his take on Gov. Bill Lee’s latest run at school vouchers. This time, Lee’s plan appears to be to use the state’s school funding formula (BEP) to create a voucher scheme. Here are some highlights from Stein’s piece , written after he’d been to one of TN DOE’s BEP Town Hall events: I had so much to say! I wanted to mention how atrocious it
TN School Funding Report Card: 1 D, 2 Fs
by Andy Spears / 16d
While Gov. Bill Lee’s Administration is off discussing potential changes to state’s funding formula for schools (the BEP), a joint report from the Southern Poverty Law Center and Education Law Center indicates there’s a lot of room for growth. It’s not just how the funds are allocated, it’s also about how much – turns out, Tennessee is near the bottom in the nation when it comes to things like fu
An Inside Look at Moms for Liberty
by Andy Spears / 17d
One brave and new political blogger takes a closer look at Moms for Liberty in Williamson County. Here’s more from “Tennessee Politics Guy.” Moms for Liberty is a (likely astroturfed) group of moms advocating for “parental rights” and “liberty”. Obviously, this is translated to ignoring a public health emergency and pretending racism is not and never was a problem in America. On a *completely* un
Coming Soon: Partisan School Board Races
by Andy Spears / 18d
The Tennessee General Assembly recently adjourned a special session to address COVID-19. Among the bills that passed? Legislation permitting partisan school board races. I mean, if there’s one thing that will help local
