Saturday, October 30, 2021

THIS WEEK'S TENNESSEE EDUCATION REPORT

 TENNESSEE EDUCATION REPORT


THIS WEEK'S TENNESSEE EDUCATION REPORT

EDUCATION POLITICS AND POLICY IN THE VOLUNTEER STATE



Power Grab
Nate Rau in Axios highlights conversations happening at the Nashville Chamber of Commerce regarding moving Nashville from an elected to an appointed School Board. The Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce is considering a push for a major change to Nashville public schools — switching from an elected school board to one where members are appointed. The chamber has had high-level talks on the topic w
Education Committee Chair May Lose Post Over Federal Indictment
Senator Brian Kelsey, who chairs the Senate’s Education Committee and who has long been a champion of using public money to fund private schools, is facing a federal indictment on allegations of campaign finance misconduct. This is not just a legal headache for Kelsey, though, it also may result in him losing the gatekeeping role he now plays as Committee chair. More on this from Chalkbeat : A Mc
A Lesson on Books from Hamilton County
Even as a cancel culture group sought to ban books from school libraries in Hamilton County, they ran into serious opposition and, well, facts. The Tennessee Holler has some key video: WATCH: “You can’t censor when it’s uncomfortable for you. THAT’S JUST LIFE. Life is uncomfortable.” @hamcoschools board member Karitsa Jones takes right-wing Rhonda Thurman to school over her efforts (with @Moms4Li
Who’s Driving the Bus?
A bus driver shortage in Nashville has reached a crisis, and bus drivers are speaking out. NewsChannel 5 has the story of a severe shortage and potentially unsafe conditions for students. Battle said they are 200 or more drivers short, and many are doubling and tripling routes, forcing kids to sit three to a seat. She also cited safety concerns with buses being overcrowding. Drivers held a rally
Cancel Culture Group Seeking to Ban Books in Hamilton County
Moms for McCarthyism (Moms for Liberty) Seeking to Eliminate Texts that Make them Uncomfortable The Tennessean’s Meghan Mangrum reports that Cancel Culture “mom” group Moms for Liberty is working in support of an effort by Hamilton County School Board member Rhonda Thurman to ban certain books in Hamilton County Schools. Thurman, a long-time board member, expressed concerns in an op-ed last week

 TENNESSEE EDUCATION REPORT