Penny’s Power GrabLegislation that would give Commissioner of Education Penny Schwinn broad authority to fire a school system’s superintendent and remove the school board is advancing in the Tennessee General Assembly. Chalkbeat has more : A bill outlining reasons the state may take over a local school district cleared its first legislative hurdle Tuesday. Rep. Scott Cepicky, a Republican from Maury County, said h
Opting Out of TNReadyYes, you can opt your child out of this year’s TNReady test. This is true in spite of misleading guidance offered to school districts by the Tennessee Department of Education. Fortunately, the advocates over at Save our Schools PAC offer some key insight into just how to accomplish this. Here’s a quick rundown: There are only eight states that allow you to opt your child out of testing. Tennessee
Lee Continues Predictable Privatization PushTennessee Gov. Bill Lee is no fan of public schools as he makes clear time and again. Whether it is advancing voucher schemes , creating charter school slush funds , or refusing to invest in our underfunded public schools, Lee is working tirelessly to undermine public education in our state. Now, Lee is seeking to reward charter schools in Memphis and trap more schools in the failed Achievement S
Sexton’s Anti-Muslim, Insurrectionist Choice for Textbook Commission Wins Committee EndorsementThe Tennessee Holler has the video of a House Education Instruction Committee hearing which approved Laurie Cardoza-Moore for a seat on the state Textbook Commission. Moore was appointed by House Speaker Cameron Sexton. The approval came on a voice vote, with committee Democrats voicing opposition. Here’s a clip from that hearing: WATCH: “In your own words, do you believe 30% of Muslims are terro
Did They Even Read This?It’s not clear that the Department of Education previewed or even actually read the words in a document intended to dissuade parents from opting their children out of state standardized tests. While activists in Tennessee and around the country are encouraging the Biden Administration to grant testing waivers, parents are not waiting and are taking matters into their own hands. In fact, when one
Legislative Committee Approves Moore Appointment to Textbook CommissionAfter a 45-minute hearing, the House Education Instruction Committee approved the appointment of Laurie Cardoza-Moore to the state Textbook Commission on a voice vote. The opposition voices came exclusively from