Nashville, TN— Today, the Tennessee Department of Education announced two Tennessee teachers—Raeven Brooks, 2nd grade teacher at Black Fox Elementary School in Murfreesboro City Schools and Tyler Hallstedt, 8th grade social studies teacher at Mt. Juliet Middle School in Wilson County Schools— have been named recipients of the prestigious Milken Educator Award, one of the highest honors in education that has been dubbed the “Oscars of Teaching” by Teacher Magazine. In addition to the honor of being a Milken Educator Award winner, these teachers have also received $25,000 from the Milken Family Foundation.

Nashville, TN—Throughout the month of March, proclaimed by Governor Bill Lee as Tennessee Literacy Month, the Tennessee Department of Education emphasized the state’s deep commitment to supporting students to become strong learners by completing more than 50 visits across the state to talk with school districts, communities and families about the Reading 360 initiative and free resources to help young readers.

Nashville, TN— Today, the Tennessee Department of Education released a $50 million grant opportunity available for community partners to help expand the state’s TN ALL Corps high-dosage, low-ratio tutoring program to support students. Through the collaboration between school districts and regional community partners, these grant funds will provide an additional 30,000 at-risk students in 1st through 8th grades with access to one-on-one tutoring support to improve academic outcomes.

Nashville, TN— Today, the Tennessee Department of Education released the final set of explainer resources about the Tennessee Investment in Student Achievement (TISA) to provide additional details on how the proposed student-based public education funding formula would focus on the needs of each individual student and ensure they are prepared for postsecondary success.

Nashville, TN— In continued celebration of March Literacy Month, the Tennessee Department of Education is emphasizing how families play an essential role in their student’s literacy development and can get involved with the S.I.M.P.L.E. Moments at-home literacy campaign with Riley the Reading Raccoon.

Nashville, TN— Today, the Tennessee Department of Education released additional resources about the Tennessee Investment in Student Achievement (TISA) to explain how the proposed student-based public education funding formula meets each student’s needs, funds students for success, and encourages transparency and accountability.

Nashville, TN— Today, the Tennessee Department of Education released additional resources about the Tennessee Investment in Student Achievement (TISA) to explain how the proposed student-based public school funding formula prioritizes students over systems and reflects Tennesseans’ values.

Nashville, TN—Today, the Tennessee Department of Education and the Tennessee Education Research Alliance (TERA) at Vanderbilt University launched the 2022 Tennessee Educator Survey statewide. All educators, administrators, and certified school staff in Tennessee are invited to take the survey and share their perspectives and expertise on education issues affecting their classrooms and schools, to inform strategies and goals at the state, district, and local school levels.

Nashville, TN— Today, the Tennessee Department of Education released additional Tennessee Investment in Student Achievement (TISA) resources explaining how the proposed student-based public school funding formula will update the way Tennessee funds public education for the first time in over 30 years.

Knoxville, TN— Today, the Tennessee Department of Education and the University of Tennessee System announced the launch of the Tennessee Reading Research Center, a Reading 360 initiative, to evaluate and independently analyze how the state’s over $100 million investment of optional literacy supports and grants are improving student literacy rates, increasing the use of sounds-first instruction in Pre-K-3 classrooms, increasing the use of high-quality instructional materials, and preparing future educators for literacy instruction. Additionally, the center will analyze the implementation of the Tennessee Literacy Success Act.

Nashville, TN— Today, the Tennessee Department of Education announced throughout the month of March, the state is celebrating Tennessee Literacy Month, highlighting how Tennessee’s educators, families, and community partners are focusing on improving literacy experiences for early learners through strategic investments and optional, free resources. Additionally, the department is excited to announce 98 districts have been recognized as Reading 360 Districts for their commitment to teacher training, leader support networks, and focused work on early literacy.

Nashville, TN- Today, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee and Tennessee Department of Education Commissioner Penny Schwinn released the details of the Tennessee Investment in Student Achievement (TISA) Act (SB2396/HB2143) that would transition Tennessee’s K-12 public schools to a student-based funding approach. Starting in the 2023-24 school year, the TISA would invest an estimated $9 billion in education funding for the state, including state and local funds, which includes $1 billion in new recurring state funds and $750 million in one-time state funds this year.

NASHVILLE - Today, AP Access for ALL, a partnership between the Tennessee Department of Education and the Niswonger Foundation, announced its enrollment numbers for the 2021-22 school year, with over 1,800 students from 192 high schools statewide now enrolled in AP Access for ALL classes- helping students prepare for college, skip introductory classes, and earn college credit while still in high school. Additionally, students are encouraged to register for fall 2022 AP Access for ALL classes, which open on March 1.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee Governor Bill Lee and Tennessee Department of Education Commissioner Penny Schwinn will share legislation for the new student-based funding formula, known as the Tennessee Investment in Student Achievement formula (TISA), on Thursday, February 24. Tennesseans will have access to a livestream presentation that breaks down key aspects of the legislation and funding proposal. Details about the presentation will be announced next week.

Nashville, TN- Today, the Tennessee Department of Education announced the 68 districts that have received statewide recognition as Best for All Districts for significantly investing federal COVID-19 stimulus funding to drive student achievement and improving academic outcomes. The department is celebrating these districts today for #BestforAllDay through a statewide livestream event from 9-10:30 a.m. CT, accessible here.