Chalkbeat

Education news. In context.

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Tennessee
July 25, 2018

In his final months as Tennessee governor, Haslam reflects on his education legacy

In a wide-ranging interview, the outgoing Republican governor talks about achievement gains, TNReady disappointments, pre-K challenges, and what's next.

Tennessee Votes 2018

Tennessee
July 9, 2018

Here’s how Tennessee’s Republican candidates for governor answer the big questions on education

Chalkbeat asked Republican candidates about their own educational experiences, the future of TNReady testing, whether to offer private school vouchers, and more.

Tennessee Votes 2018

Tennessee
July 9, 2018

Here’s where Tennessee’s Democratic candidates for governor stand on education

Chalkbeat asked the candidates about their own educational experiences, how they'd address TNReady testing challenges, pre-K expansion, and more.

Following the money

Tennessee
December 14, 2017

Tennessee school systems are getting the money they’re promised — more or less, state comptroller reports

This is the second year that the comptroller has reviewed state education spending to make sure school systems are getting the money they're supposed to.

wish list

Tennessee
November 7, 2017

McQueen wants teacher pay to go up and local costs to go down for Tennessee’s student intervention program

As Gov. Bill Haslam prepares the final budget of his administration, Education Commissioner Candice McQueen is asking to increase teacher pay for a third straight year.

Alliance

Tennessee
October 18, 2017

Memphis just gained an important ally in its legal battle with Tennessee over school funding

The Nashville school board's decision to join litigation is good news for Shelby County Schools.

Creative funding

Tennessee
April 25, 2017

Tennessee has a $2 billion surplus. Here’s a new idea to invest more in schools.

About $250 million of this year’s surplus would go to create a new public education fund under a proposal by Rep. Craig Fitzhugh and Sen. Jeff Yarbro.

The Homestretch

Tennessee
April 14, 2017

It’s past the halfway point at the Tennessee legislature. Here are proposals that still could change the state’s schools.

Less than half of the more than 150 separate proposals originally filed with the Tennessee General Assembly are still standing, on issues ranging from school discipline to turnaround.

Cracking the BEP

Tennessee
February 7, 2017

Stumped about Tennessee’s school funding formula? There’s now a calculator for that

The state comptroller's office unveils a tool for determining how much each school district should receive of the state’s $4.4 billion in BEP funding.

TNLEG 2017

Tennessee
January 9, 2017

Here are four education issues to watch as Tennessee’s legislature kicks off

Tennessee lawmakers expect to revisit two perennial questions about school spending and vouchers during the 110th General Assembly, which starts this week.

New report

Tennessee
January 5, 2017

Tennessee gets a C-minus for public education, and an F in school spending

Tennessee ranks 36th in public education and 46th in spending in Education Week’s annual Quality Counts report.

School bus safety

Tennessee
November 22, 2016

Fatal Tennessee school bus crash reopens conversation on the cost of seat belts

The legislature has turned back seat belt proposals twice in the last decade because of the price tag of retrofitting school buses.

Budget forecast

Tennessee
November 8, 2016

Haslam plans to seek teacher pay boost for third straight year

Tennessee's governor says he'll seek a substantial increase for teacher pay, although not as much as the state could afford with its considerable surplus.

Funding gap

Tennessee
October 5, 2016

Tennessee doesn’t pay for enough teachers to meet its class size mandates, says state report

The state comptroller reports that school districts employ about 12,700 more educators than the state funds.

Funding fight

Tennessee
September 16, 2016

Does Tennessee have to follow its own school spending plan? Court prepares to weigh in

Attorneys for the state and Nashville face off on the funding question at a court hearing in Nashville.

Funding fights

Tennessee
September 8, 2016

States often get sued over school funding. Here’s what makes Tennessee stand out.

When it comes to providing adequate funding to educate students based on today’s standards, Tennessee isn’t coming close, say national experts.

Chalkbeat explains

Tennessee
August 25, 2016

How much is $200 million championed by Haslam for teacher raises boosting paychecks? It depends.

Tennessee districts have vastly different resources, and choose to invest their state funding in different ways.

Paper and pencils

Tennessee
August 5, 2016

Shelby County teachers are given $100 for classroom supplies. But that’s not nearly enough.

Many teachers say they spend anywhere from $400 to $1,000 annually out of their own pockets on classroom needs.

Pivot

Tennessee
July 25, 2016

Deputy education commissioner to join Haslam’s senior policy team

Tennessee Deputy Education Commissioner Stephen Smith is Gov. Bill Haslam’s new senior adviser for policy and strategy.

State funding

Tennessee
July 22, 2016

State Board finalizes $200 million increase for Tennessee education

The State Board of Education finalizes $4.35 billion in funding allocations to K-12 districts for the 2016-17 school year, an increase of $200 million.

Legislative Recap

Tennessee
April 25, 2016

Overshadowed by TNReady, here’s what the legislature did on education this year

While a private tuition voucher bill fizzled and Gov. Haslam touted a K-12 funding increase as historic, problems with TNReady hovered over the Capitol like a cloud.

war of words

Tennessee
April 13, 2016

Proposed constitutional amendment to curb judicial power over Tennessee schools stumbles

Despite the backing of key legislative leaders, a proposed constitutional amendment designed to give the Tennessee legislature more power over education funding flounders.
Tennessee
April 11, 2016

Education spending boost a slam dunk in Tennessee House, but impact on individual districts unclear

The House unanimously passes a bill to increase funding for K-12 public education by more than $220 million.

Game on

Tennessee
April 4, 2016

Citing ‘dire’ budget situation for Shelby County Schools, Hopson rallies employees for funding

As budget season kicks off for Memphis schools, Superintendent Dorsey Hopson urges employees to advocate for increased funding from county and state governments.

BEP 2.0

Tennessee
March 23, 2016

What you need to know about the governor’s school funding plan

Along with a proposed increase of $261 million for education next year, Gov. Bill Haslam is proposing revisions to the state's school funding formula.
Tennessee
March 15, 2016

Lawmakers: Increase education spending, but keep courts out of school funding debate

State legislators pass a bill to increase funding for public education next year, while also voting for a constitutional amendment to give judges control over schools.
Tennessee
March 1, 2016

House education panel takes first step to amend state constitution over school funding

A House panel advances a resolution that would amend Tennessee’s constitution so courts likely could not order more education funding.
Tennessee
February 1, 2016

Haslam proposes $261 million more for K-12 education

Gov. Bill Haslam proposes new investments in teacher pay, technology, reading programs and high-need student populations.
Tennessee
February 1, 2016

Haslam expected to address education funding in State of the State speech

Entering office saying he wanted to be an "education governor," Bill Haslam is expected to continue that focus tonight when he delivers his annual address to lawmakers.
Tennessee
January 6, 2016

What you need to know on education as the 2016 legislature begins

Vouchers and school funding likely be the dominant education issues in 2016 before the Tennessee General Assembly.

Budget Preview

Tennessee
December 1, 2015

With state revenues rebounding, will Tennessee see more education spending?

When Candice McQueen makes her first state budget pitch, she'll offer a glimpse into how the state is responding to growing calls for change in the way it funds schools.
Tennessee
October 21, 2015

Fewer Tennessee districts opt for teacher merit pay

Some school systems are moving away from paying teachers based on their evaluations — four years after receiving permission to tie teacher pay to their performance.

Budget forecast

Tennessee
October 20, 2015

Shelby County Schools faces $72 million shortfall next school year, Hopson says

Only months after shepherding $125 million in budget cuts for the current fiscal year, Superintendent Dorsey Hopson warns that more lean times are ahead.
Tennessee
September 21, 2015

Haslam says state is fulfilling legal funding obligation to Shelby County Schools

In his first public comments on the latest school funding lawsuit against the state, Gov. Bill Haslam says he believes the state its fulfilling its legal obligation.
Tennessee
September 2, 2015

Hamilton County argues all Tennessee districts should be part of school funding lawsuit

The boards for seven school systems in southeast Tennessee ask a judge for class-action status in their funding lawsuit against the state.

Education platform

Tennessee
September 1, 2015

Nashville mayoral hopefuls offer their visions for the city’s schools

Facing a runoff election on Sept. 10, candidates Megan Barry and David Fox Runoff sound off on charters, school desegregation, state funding and more.

BEP Scrutiny

Tennessee
July 22, 2015

Kansas law firm exploring potential BEP lawsuit by Shelby County Schools

A law firm that sued the state of Kansas over school funding has been hired by Shelby County Schools to explore whether the district should sue the state of Tennessee.
Tennessee
July 16, 2015

Despite educators’ frustration, little chance legislature will increase school funding soon

The Tennessee Legislature is not likely to increase school funding in the near future, even as districts gear up for legal battles.

BEP

Tennessee
June 9, 2015

State Board of Education approves minimum teacher salary increase, but not all pay will be raised

The State Board of Education approves a new salary schedule that raises the minimum annual pay for Tennessee teachers by just under $1,000.

School funding

Tennessee
June 1, 2015

Five things to know about Shelby County Schools’ pared-down budget

Some three months after Shelby County Schools began publicly building its 2015-16 budget, the long, arduous process reaches a milestone Monday before County Commission.

School funding

Tennessee
March 25, 2015

Chronic state underfunding of education spurs lawsuit by seven school districts

Charging that the state has breached its constitutional duty to provide “a system of free public education” for children in Tennessee, seven school districts sue the state over inadequate funding.
Tennessee
March 23, 2015

Another voucher bill – for students with special needs – advancing in legislature

While bills that would bring private school vouchers to Tennessee have grabbed headlines, a more far-reaching voucher initiative is advancing through the legislature with little fanfare.
Tennessee
March 10, 2015

Nashville school board opts for conversation over litigation

The board for Metro Nashville Public Schools votes unanimously to delay exploration of a lawsuit against the state over inadequate school funding.
Tennessee
March 10, 2015

House panel tables teacher pay funding discussion until summer

State legislators delay a bill designed to help local school districts pay their teachers and achieve parity across the state.
Tennessee
March 9, 2015

Nashville Schools next to consider legal challenge over state funding

Amid a growing chorus of district leaders exploring a lawsuit over chronic state underfunding of Tennessee public schools, Nashville's school director urges cooperation, not litigation.
Tennessee
December 8, 2014

Race to the Top money dwindling, but Huffman says not to worry

An especially lean education budget will have minimal impact on Tennessee schools next year, said outgoing education commissioner Kevin Huffman after a budget hearing Friday.
Tennessee
October 12, 2014

Q&A with Speaker Beth Harwell: Tennessee will probably develop own standards

Speaker of the House Beth Harwell spoke with Chalkbeat about her educational priorities, and the priorities of her constituents.