Chalkbeat

Education news. In context.

Chalkbeat

TNReady

TNReady Triumph

Tennessee
May 7, 2019

Hear that sigh of relief? Online testing just finished in Tennessee – and it worked this time

For the first time in four years, computer-based testing goes smoothly in Tennessee.

heavy testing

Tennessee
April 17, 2019

So far so good? Nearly halfway through, Tennessee state testing remains glitch-free

Tennessee's school districts are nearly halfway through online testing, and for the first time in three years, no major issues have been reported.

tnready time

Tennessee
April 10, 2019

Next week will prove if Tennessee is ready for TNReady. Here’s how state testing is going so far.

“We’re starting much stronger this year than we did last year,” Tennessee Education Commissioner Penny Schwinn said this week.

TNReady timeline

Tennessee
April 4, 2019

Tennessee governor calls for pause on computer-based testing for one year

Gov. Bill Lee announces that he wants all public school students to take their state tests on paper next school year as Tennessee transitions to a new testing company.

Paper tests

Tennessee
Updated April 4, 2019

Tennessee would take a year off from computer-based testing under legislative proposal

The one-year hiatus would give the state's next testing company more time to prepare to administer computer-based TNReady exams.

Organizing

Tennessee
March 12, 2019

Teachers are ‘ready to fight,’ says new Tennessee coalition inspired by strikes in other states

A new coalition seeks grassroot support to gauge whether Tennessee teachers are ready for collective action.

Wanted

Tennessee
March 5, 2019

Tennessee seeks bids for testing company to oversee troubled TNReady program

The state releases its request for proposals after three straight years of testing problems under two different vendors.

Testing

Tennessee
February 26, 2019

TNReady scores won’t count for much in Memphis student grades

Weights for state test scores in report cards are set at 0 percent for elementary students, and 10 percent for middle school students

Forces of Nature

Tennessee
Updated February 27, 2019

Online trial run of TNReady test dampened by flooding and flu across Tennessee

Less than half of the high school students who were scheduled to take the state's online "verification test" were able to participate.

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.
‹