Chalkbeat

Education news. In context.

Chalkbeat

TNReady

tick tock

Tennessee
Updated January 30, 2019

Just months before its next testing company is supposed to start, Tennessee has yet to receive its first bid

The state has yet to release its request for proposals soliciting testing companies to take over its embattled TNReady assessment program.

Moving

Tennessee
January 23, 2019

Tennessee’s next education chief starts in February. Here’s how she’s prepping.

Penny Schwinn is winding down her obligations in Texas, where she has overseen academics since 2016.

To Do

Tennessee
Updated January 17, 2019

Tennessee’s new ed chief says troubleshooting testing is first priority

Penny Schwinn's experience with assessment programs in two other states is a strength in her new role in Tennessee, where test administration has been problematic.

Q&A

Tennessee
January 16, 2019

Testing, vouchers, and pre-K: Tennessee legislature’s new ed leader weighs in

A Q&A with Rep. Mark White, the new chairman of Tennessee's powerful House Education Committee

TNReady

Tennessee
January 3, 2019

Despite blistering audit, Questar will pursue Tennessee’s next testing contract, says leader

The state's testing company acknowledges failures in administering TNReady, but add that it's learned a lot in two years.

Year-end review

Tennessee
December 21, 2018

From testing to leadership transitions, here are the stories that you read most in 2018

Before the year came to an end, we took a look back into our archives to find the top education stories from 2018.

TNReady Audit

Tennessee
December 19, 2018

Tennessee was ‘overly ambitious’ in pushing online testing, says state’s chief investigator

Problems with TNReady testing are the focus of the state comptroller's year-long audit.

Testing

Tennessee
December 4, 2018

Memphis school board softens request to reform state’s troubled TNReady test

The board governing Tennessee’s largest school district is asking state legislators to rely less on the standardized test known as TNReady, which has endured a…

Testing

Tennessee
November 27, 2018

Memphis school board considers asking lawmakers to drop TNReady testing

The panel has sharply criticized the state for its failure to implement a reliable online test, but until now has stopped short of asking lawmakers to eliminate it.

in your own words

Tennessee
November 26, 2018

Dear Bill Lee… ‘Respect our judgment and decisions,’ and other pieces of advice from Tennessee educators

After the election, we asked Tennessee educators: What would you tell newly elected Gov. Bill Lee about your classroom?

reaction

Tennessee
November 15, 2018

Tennesseans reflect on Candice McQueen’s legacy leading the state’s schools

As Candice McQueen prepares to leave her role as chief of Tennessee schools in January, education leaders, advocates, and parents are weighing in on her legacy.

Exiting

Tennessee
November 15, 2018

Tennessee schools chief Candice McQueen leaving for job at national education nonprofit

Tennessee’s top education chief is leaving state government. Candice McQueen will become the CEO of National Institute for Excellence in Teaching in January.

Bill Lee's words

Tennessee
November 6, 2018

Here’s what Tennessee’s next governor says about K-12 education

Republican businessman Bill Lee gave his positions on big education issues in response to a Chalkbeat survey earlier this year.

Hold Up

Tennessee
November 5, 2018

A Memphis principal was fired over flawed test scores. Should state law protect him too?

State lawmakers passed two wide-ranging laws designed to protect teachers, students, and schools from test results that might not be reliable, but what about principals?

Point Person

Tennessee
October 29, 2018

Questar hires tech guru amid TNReady testing cleanup

The Minneapolis-based testing company lures Brendan Kealey from testing giant Pearson to modernize Questar's digital infrastructure.
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