FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

PROFESSIONAL EDUCATORS OF TENNESSEE COMMENDS COMMISSIONER REYNOLDS FOR POSSIBLE TCAP DELAY  [View/Download PDF]

Nashville, TN – Professional Educators of Tennessee expresses gratitude to Commissioner Reynolds for her prompt, decisive, and gracious response on behalf of students, educators, and parents across our state, providing the necessary flexibility to districts and schools affected by the recent winter weather. 

We commend Commissioner Reynolds for her swift, thoughtful action regarding the potential delay of TCAP testing in light of recent severe weather, reflecting her dedication to advancing education for Tennessee’s children and taxpayers. In her response, the commissioner noted that the Tennessee Department of Education is “actively reviewing options to provide districts with flexibility, including the potential for extending the assessment window, to ensure all students and educators are supported during this time.

“In an era when civility can often seem lacking, Commissioner Reynolds’s leadership on this issue shines as a beacon of collaboration and proactive problem-solving. Her efforts, along with those of her team, are invaluable in addressing the challenges we face in education today, especially when unexpected issues of this nature arise,” according to JC Bowman, executive director of Professional Educators of Tennessee.

Bowman stated, "It's refreshing to collaborate with state leaders who genuinely prioritize the needs of our students, educators, and parents in our communities. Our organization is optimistic about Tennessee's potential to lead the nation in transforming public education into lasting opportunities. Together, we can achieve remarkable advancements for the future of education in our great state, especially when we involve our educators and parents in the process."

Contact:

To schedule an interview on this or any education issue, contact Patrick Basnett at 615-778-0803 or email Patrick.Basnett@proedtn.org .

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

REQUEST TO DELAY THE TCAP TESTING SCHEDULE  [View/Download PDF]

Nashville, TN — Professional Educators of Tennessee has sent an open letter to State Commissioner of Education Lizzette Reynolds regarding the possibility of a delay in TCAP Testing. This letter aims to raise awareness and propose workable solutions regarding the potential need for delayed testing due to significant disruptions caused by recent severe winter weather in our state.  Please click on the above View/Download PDF link to read the letter Executive Director JC Bowman sent to Commissioner Reynolds.

In the letter, Executive Director JC Bowman points out that our state has been affected by severe weather, particularly in Middle and East Tennessee. Bowman points out: “Many schools and districts have struggled to maintain consistent instructional time, which is crucial for preparing students for high-stakes assessments like the TCAP. There is growing concern among educators, parents, and members of Professional Educators of Tennessee about the fairness and validity of the TCAP tests, given the lost instructional time.”

Bowman suggests the state grant flexibility for local education agencies (LEAs) to “allow individual districts to choose the most appropriate time to administer TCAP while accommodating local calendars and instructional time recovery efforts.” 

Addressing this issue is critical because the lost instructional time directly affects students' ability to prepare adequately for the TCAP, potentially impacting test results and overall student performance. Delaying the tests could help ensure that assessments reflect students' true capabilities and learning, rather than being influenced by inadequate preparation due to external circumstances and weather conditions. Many educators voiced concerns about this issue; some believe the change to annual testing in May should be permanent.

Professional Educators of Tennessee urges the community to contact their schools and districts, as well as state legislators, if they have been affected by snow and ice and have concerns about student testing. Bowman adds, “It is essential to continue monitoring the ongoing situation. A broader window would be helpful, with final decisions left to the Local Education Agency (LEA). Should conditions worsen or further disruptions arise, the Tennessee Department of Education may need to reassess the testing timeline.”

To schedule an interview on this or any education issue, contact Patrick Basnett at 615-778-0803 or email patrick.basnett@proedtn.org .

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

STATEMENT ON GOVERNOR LEE SIGNING VOUCHER LEGISLATION  [View/Download PDF]

NASHVILLE — Professional Educators of Tennessee Executive Director JC Bowman released this statement today in response to Governor Bill Lee signing the universal voucher bill:

The voucher legislation's rules and implementation details must be finalized in the coming months.

We still do not know the ultimate financial cost to taxpayers of this legislation to the state, whether children will receive a quality education or its long-term
impact on public schools that nearly 90 percent of Tennessee parents trust to educate their children.

As a result, public schools could face significant long-term uncertainty about future budgets and operations. Like many taxpayers across Tennessee, we believe the
legislation should have been more thoroughly deliberated and discussed before passage.

The political landscape sometimes does not align with our expectations or desires. Nevertheless, our dedication to supporting students and advancing education across Tennessee remains strong and unshakable. We will continue to advocate for what matters most, ensuring every student has access to the quality of public education they deserve.

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CONTACT: For more information on this or any other education issue or to schedule an interview, don't hesitate to get in touch with 615-778-0803 x100 or email info@proedtn.org 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

PROFESSIONAL EDUCATORS OF TENNESSEE ON THE STATE OF THE STATE  [View/Download PDF]

At 6 p.m. CST, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee delivered his seventh State of the State address from the House Chamber of the Tennessee State Capitol. He emphasized the importance of working together to harness Tennessee's strengths for a sustainable and innovative future, ensuring the state remains a beacon of opportunity and prosperity.

Governor Lee rightly noted that this is a crucial moment for Tennessee. There is an urgent need for innovation and creative solutions to drive progress for the state and the nation. Tennesseans have a long history of overcoming obstacles through inventive thinking and steadfast determination.

Indeed, we are at a turning point with the opportunity to transform how our state addresses urgent issues. The challenges we face today cannot be resolved with outdated methods or merely by replicating policies from other states.

In his address, Governor Lee highlighted key accomplishments from the recent special session, including the passage of his statewide universal school voucher program, set to be signed into law on Wednesday. He also discussed the state's relief efforts for Hurricane Helene and outlined strategies for enforcing the Trump administration's immigration policies.

Lee should have stressed the need for an education system that ensures children thrive in safe environments. The Tennessee Comptroller's Office estimates that around $10 billion is required to improve deteriorating K-12 facilities. We must better address school violence by enhancing prevention services for at-risk youth and providing rehabilitation for delinquent youth.

“Governor Lee is correct that Tennessee needs a new path forward. While we agree with his message about impacting the future through innovation, we have concerns about his administration’s past priorities and implementation, particularly in education. We hope he uses his remaining time in office to ensure that all Tennesseans have a voice in creating more effective policies for our state,” said JC Bowman, executive director of Professional Educators of Tennessee.

We strongly appreciate Tennessee's investment in education and commend the focus on salary increases. We firmly support innovative strategies in teacher licensure to effectively address the teacher shortage.

Bowman noted, “The State of the State address presents an opportunity to establish priorities that enhance life for all Tennesseans. We can improve public education, develop a sustainable workforce, and promote well-being by fostering collaboration among individuals, communities, and organizations. It’s essential to emphasize why Tennessee is a great place for public education and family life, as this will shape our state's sustainable and innovative future.”

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JC Bowman is the Executive Director of Professional Educators of Tennessee, a non-partisan teacher association headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee. Permission to reprint in whole or in part is hereby granted, provided that the author and the association are properly cited. For more information on this subject or any education issue please contact Professional Educators of Tennessee. To schedule an interview please contact Kaylee Joslyn, Member Services Coordinator, at 1-800-471-4867 ext.104.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NAEP RESULTS INDICATE THAT TENNESSEE IS MAKING PROGRESS  [View/Download PDF]

The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) has released the 2024 Nation’s Report Card, showcasing Tennessee's commitment to public education with reading and math scores that exceed national averages. In 2024, the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) evaluated about 112,700 fourth graders and 111,300 eighth graders nationwide from public and private schools, measuring student achievement through a sample of selected schools.

“We are proud of the efforts of Tennessee students and educators,” according to JC Bowman, executive director of Professional Educators of Tennessee.  This year's NAEP results reveal that Tennessee's 4th and 8th graders have shown improvement, exceeding national averages in reading and math.

Highlights from Tennessee’s 4th and 8th-grade results include:

4th Grade Reading:

• 32% of students scored proficient, a two-point increase from 2022, surpassing the national average of 30%.
• Proficiency rose by one point for male, female, and English learner students, while it decreased by five points for students with disabilities.

8th Grade Reading:

• 32% achieved proficiency, a four-point increase from 2022, exceeding the national rate of 29%.
• English learners saw a 15-point rise; male students improved by five points, and female students, along with students with disabilities, each increased by one point.

4th Grade Math:

• 42% were proficient, marking a six-point increase from 2022, above the national average of 40%.
• English learners improved by 11 points; male and female students increased by three points, while students with disabilities saw a decrease of two points.

8th Grade Math:

• 31% reached proficiency, a seven-point rise from 2022, surpassing the national average of 27%.
• English learners increased by 13 points; male students improved by six points; female students by two points; and students with disabilities experienced a one-point decline.

The Nation's Report Card provides a national overview, while the Tennessee Comprehensive Assessment Program (TCAP) aligns with state standards and evaluates individual performance. “By measuring the results of any assessment, we gain crucial information to identify specific areas where individuals or groups need additional support. This allows educators, schools, and states to allocate resources and interventions more effectively,” according to Bowman. He added: “Still, we don’t want to read too much into any single test or measurement.”  

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Professional Educators of Tennessee is a non-partisan teacher association located in Nashville, Tennessee. Permission to reprint in whole or in part is hereby granted, provided that the author and the association are properly cited. For more information on this subject or any education issue please contact Professional Educators of Tennessee. To schedule an interview please contact Kaylee Joslyn, Member Services Coordinator at 1-800-471-4867 ext.104.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

PRESS RELEASE ON PAUSE OF FEDERAL GRANTS  [View/Download PDF]

On Monday, January 27, 2025, the White House budget office announced a pause on federal grants and loans, which could potentially disrupt public programs for millions of Americans. The suspension could impact a wide range of programs designed to assist low-income families, including Medicaid, school meal programs, Section 8 housing assistance, Title I educational funding, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, state childcare subsidies, Head Start programs, and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children.

According to the Sycamore Institute:

• Tennessee typically receives about $1.1 billion annually in federal K-12 funding for over a dozen programs that have grant-specific and broader federal requirements.”
• Tennessee received about $340 million under ESSA’s Title I provisions, primarily targeting low-income students.
• Tennessee received almost $250 million for K-12 under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).

Child nutrition is the most extensive program managed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), with an estimated annual cost of $480 million.

“Our concern is specifically the school meal programs, Title I educational funding, and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. Our state cannot educate children without those dollars. So, we hope the federal government resolves this issue and restores these monies immediately,” according to JC Bowman, executive director of Professional Educators of Tennessee.  

“If the funding is not restored, it is the responsibility of the state of Tennessee to ensure that schools and districts have adequate funding for these critical programs immediately. We urge Governor Lee and the Tennessee General Assembly to commit to ensuring these programs can continue without interruption,” added Bowman.

State leaders have often considered rejecting federal funding. Speaker Sexton stated that if federal dollars were no longer available, “The state will cover the costs and continue to fund those programs, but we will be free from federal regulations.” It appears the state may have to step in sooner rather than later. 

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JC Bowman is the Executive Director of Professional Educators of Tennessee, a non-partisan teacher association headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee. Permission to reprint in whole or in part is hereby granted, provided that the author and the association are properly cited. For more information on this subject or any education issue please contact Professional Educators of Tennessee. To schedule an interview please contact Audrey Shores, Director of Communications, at 1-800-471-4867 ext.102.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

PROFESSIONAL EDUCATORS OF TENNESSEE COMMENTS ON THE 2023-24 STATE REPORT CARD  [View/Download PDF]

Professional Educators of Tennessee comments on the 2023-24 State Report Card

The 2023-24 State Report Card will be publicly launched on Thursday, December 19th. It will include state and federal achievement measures such as graduation rate, Ready Graduate metrics, school letter grades, enrollment information, and various designations. The law to issue letter grades for schools passed in 2016, but letter grades were only implemented in 2023.

The State Report Card provides information on how Tennessee districts and schools are performing across the state. It is an important tool for parents and families, educators, communities, and elected officials to understand how our schools and districts are serving all our students.

JC Bowman, executive director of Professional Educators of Tennessee, asserts that “State Report Card Grades may not accurately reflect educational quality. He highlights legitimate concerns about the calculation methods used and advocates for considering multiple perspectives beyond test scores. Bowman adds: “Key factors like student performance, graduation and attendance rates, teacher qualifications, class sizes, and community involvement should be considered for a more comprehensive evaluation of a school's effectiveness. Additionally, parental satisfaction could play a role in these assessments. As low-performing schools often struggle to attract qualified teachers and staff, it is essential to continually reassess how we measure school quality, as state report cards are still evolving.”

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JC Bowman is the Executive Director of Professional Educators of Tennessee, a non-partisan teacher association headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee. Permission to reprint in whole or in part is hereby granted, provided that the author and the association are properly cited. For more information or to schedule an interview on this or any education topic, please contact Patrick Basnett at patrick.basnett@proedtn.org or call 615-77-0803, ext. 100.  A timely editorial can also be found here.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

STATEMENT FROM PROFESSIONAL EDUCATORS OF TENNESSEE ON 3RD AND 4TH-GRADE ELA RESULTS  [View/Download PDF]

The Tennessee Department of Education released TCAP's 3rd and 4th-grade ELA results. Our 4th-grade scores showed significant improvement in Tennessee public schools. 46.4% of 4th-grade students achieved proficiency, a 2.9 percentage point increase from the previous year. The number of students scoring below expectations also decreased. Last year, 60% of third graders fell short of the state's reading benchmark, and only 1.2% were held back due to the availability of intervention options and an appeals process.

JC Bowman, executive director, states: “We look forward to reviewing the data and numbers of schools and districts statewide to see where we can improve and focus future efforts. The fact that very few students were retained last year demonstrates that support strategies such as summer learning camps and tutoring programs benefit students. We strongly support identifying and assisting struggling readers in lower grades and the responsible use of data to support students before third grade.”

Bowman added, "Tennessee's public schools are making significant strides in literacy with the aid of data-driven insights, enabling the implementation of best practices and resource allocation to enhance student outcomes. Due to the hard work of students, teachers, districts, and families and the critical investments of time and resources by district and state leaders, we are seeing positive results.”

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Professional Educators of Tennessee is a non-partisan teacher association headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee. Permission to reprint in whole or in part is hereby granted, provided that the author and the association are properly cited. For more information on this subject or any education issue please contact Professional Educators of Tennessee. To schedule an interview please contact Kaylee Joslyn, Member Services Coordinator, at 615-778-0803 ext.104

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

STATEMENT FROM JC BOWMAN, PROFESSIONAL EDUCATORS OF TENNESSEE ON GOVERNOR LEE'S STATE OF THE STATE SPEECH   [View/Download PDF]

There is an old saying in Nashville that “The Governor proposes and General Assembly disposes.” State of the State speeches outline the governor's wishes for the state. We will always seek to find common ground with policymakers as long as the policy aligns with the needs of children and educators in our public schools.  The concept of universal vouchers would be costly to the state, and we urge the Tennessee General Assembly to move slowly.   In particular, we have concerns over the lack of income-eligibility requirements and accountability. Our state must avoid any program viewed as a tax subsidy for existing private school families or a tax bailout for struggling private schools. The Governor has now spoken, and the Tennessee General Assembly gets the last word.

For additional quotes or to schedule an interview Contact JC Bowman at jc.bowman@proedtn.org or call 615-778-0801, Ext. 101

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

STATEMENT ON GOVERNOR BILL LEE’S VOUCHER EXPANSION  [View/Download PDF]

Governor Bill Lee's latest statewide voucher proposal is being heavily influenced by out-of-state interests. The proposal has the potential to severely impact the financial stability of public schools in Tennessee, which are currently in the process of implementing a new funding formula followed shortly by a new letter grade system for schools.

Professional Educators of Tennessee oppose the statewide expansion of vouchers. Here is why:

There is a lack of quality, accredited private schools in most rural and suburban areas, as well as a current teacher shortage. The proposal is not expected to provide significant benefits to most students in the state, as the voucher will not likely cover the full cost of tuition at a private school. Additionally, Governor Lee will need to address the fact that test scores for students who participated in the pilot voucher program were lower than those of their public school peers during the program's first year in 2022-23. With an administration that is data-driven, why not demonstrate success in the pilot project first? What accountability measures will be put in place in the voucher program? Parents should know how every school performs and who the educators are instructing their children, just as they do in public schools.

Thus far, Governor Lee has missed an opportunity to collaborate with educators in Tennessee to create policies that support the expansion of public school choice. Such policies would benefit both students and parents. Parents should have more authority over their children's education by being given the option to transfer them to other public schools, either within or outside their district, through interdistrict or intradistrict public school choice programs. Legislative efforts should be focused on breaking down the bureaucratic barriers that keep educators and school districts from pursuing effective solutions to the unique challenges of their communities.

The Lee Administration has never understood that school choice is not simply about private school vouchers. It should also include public magnet schools, career academies, district-supported charter schools, Advanced Placement (AP) Programs, International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programs, and other dual enrollment options. It is important for schools to actively engage with homeschooling families and offer opportunities for their children to participate in regular classes, including vocational and technical programs, either at their designated school or at another school with available capacity, under open enrollment policies.

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JC Bowman is the Executive Director of Professional Educators of Tennessee, a non-partisan teacher association headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee. Permission to reprint in whole or in part is hereby granted, provided that the author and the association are properly cited. For more information on this subject or any education issue please contact Professional Educators of Tennessee. To schedule an interview please contact Audrey Shores, Director of Communications, at 1-800-471-4867 ext.102.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

THE PROFESSIONAL EDUCATORS OF TENNESSEE ANNOUNCE THEIR ANNUAL AWARDS  [View/Download PDF]

Principal of the Year

Michael Chai has been named Professional Educators of Tennessee Principal of the Year.

He is the principal at Arnold Memorial Elementary School in Cleveland, Tennessee. He just completed his 10th year as the principal at Arnold. He started working in Cleveland City Schools in 1995 as a staff member of the Extended School Program. After graduating from Lee University, he worked as an Instructional Assistant at Mayfield Elementary for two years. In 2003, He graduated from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga with a master’s degree in School Counseling. He worked at Cleveland Middle School in the counseling department for four years and then two additional years as the leader of Student Services at Cleveland Middle School. During that time, he earned his Educational Specialist degree from Tennessee Technological University. He served in Assistant Principal roles at Blythe-Bower and Cleveland High School before coming to Arnold in 2012. He is proud to be the principal at Arnold with their wonderfully diverse building full of teachers that love to teach and love their students even more.

Superintendent of the Year

Professional Educators of Tennessee Superintendent of the Year goes to Jeff Luttrell. Mr. Luttrell is the superintendent of Wilson County Schools.  He has been in education for 28 + years where he served as a teacher, coach, principal, and supervisor for Human Resources.

When Jeff Luttrell was principal at Watertown High School, the school received numerous scholastic honors and state awards. Through his leadership, Watertown High School saw significant increases in graduation rates and ACT scores. Mr. Luttrell was named 2019 Middle Tennessee Principal of the Year by the Tennessee Association of Secondary Principals. Mr. Luttrell holds multiple higher education degrees and certifications.

Despite the setbacks from the pandemic and the loss of two schools to the March 2020 tornadoes, seven of Wilson County schools received Reward School status for the 2021-22 school year, Wilson County Schools continued to exceed the State average in graduation rate, college-going rate and ACT score for 2021-2022 school year

Advocate of the Year

Michael Gonzales was named Advocate of the Year for the Professional Educators of Tennessee. Dr. Gonzales is an experienced administrator with a diverse public education background in administration and supervision. Dr. Gonzales’s 20-year career includes serving as school board chairman, assistant director of schools, transportation supervisor, facilities supervisor, testing supervisor, adjunct professor of educational leadership, principal, assistant principal, and teacher. His current role is the lead teacher at the Giles County Alternative Learning Program. 

As an advocate for teachers, Dr. Gonzales seeks to educate teachers on the facts and the impact of the legislation that directly impacts them

Friend of the Educator

Representative Mark White was elected to serve District 83 in the Tennessee House of Representatives in 2010 and is currently serving his sixth term in the Tennessee General Assembly.

Rep. White currently serves as Chairman of the House Education Committee.  He has a passion for education. He voted to increase K-12 school funding by over $1.5 billion in eight years, supported multiple teachers’ pay raises, and backed more vocational and technical training opportunities for high school students so they learn job-ready skills.  In addition, he has supported $270 million to improve school security and worked to address early childhood literacy in grades K-3. He is a former teacher and school principal.

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JC Bowman is the Executive Director of Professional Educators of Tennessee, a non-partisan teacher association headquartered in Brentwood, Tennessee. Permission to reprint in whole or in part is hereby granted, provided that the author and the association are properly cited. For more information on this subject or any education issue please contact Professional Educators of Tennessee. To schedule an interview please contact Audrey Shores, Director of Communications, at 1-800-471-4867 ext.102.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

2023 LEGISLATIVE OVERVIEW  [View/Download PDF]

The Professional Educators of Tennessee seek to transform education in Tennessee and are the strongest advocates for making positive changes moving forward.  Here is a snippet of what we accomplished this year.  Click here or on the button at the top of the page to find a complete update on the 2023 legislative session. 

Legislative Update Highlights

Increase in Salaries.  We championed an increase in educator salaries which we do on an annual basis.  This year the Governor included an additional $350 million investment in the new funding formula, including $125 million for educator salary increases.  Unfortunately for some, the legislation now prohibits association dues from being deducted from teachers’ salaries.  However, this legislation does not in any way impede an educator’s ability to join or maintain their membership with any organization.  Our dues remain under $200 a year, with critical legal and liability insurance, professional development, and valuable member benefits for educators across the state.

Protecting Our Schools.  Lawmakers also passed legislation that seeks to protect students and staff in our schools.  Again, this was something we had worked on over the summer.  Two bills to focus on:  Our Educators Bill of Rights was expanded by Representative Jay Reedy and Senator John Stevens to add even more protection for educators.  Also, the Governor used our language to add a new measure to his own mandate that public and private schools collaborate with state and local law enforcement, additional active shooter drills, with $140 million to go toward making sure a school resource officer is in every public school.

Teacher Recruitment/Licensure. We supported a bill that created the Tennessee Future Teacher scholarship, which will award scholarships to students pursuing a teaching degree at an eligible postsecondary institution who meet certain requirements and who agree to teach in a targeted setting for at least four years after the student completes an approved educator preparation program.  We also worked on creating a new pathway for honorably discharged veterans to receive an occupational teaching license.

3^rd Grade Retention.  The Professional Educators of Tennessee helped craft the only legislation that passed concerning this requirement.  While we are disappointed that the changes won’t take effect until the next school year, we view the proposed changes as a “positive first step” because it bases retention on more than a single test score.

A complete update on the 2023 legislative session can be found here.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

STATEMENT ON TENNESSEE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION CHANGE IN COMMISSIONER  [View/Download PDF]

“We wish Penny Schwinn all the best in her future endeavors.  Although her accomplishments have been mixed, the results will ultimately be determined over time.  Governor Lee now has an opportunity to shift the Tennessee Department of Education in a new direction.  A new leader needs to look inward, as well as outward.  The TDOE needs to rebuild and fill critical positions in the Department to serve the needs of parents, pupils, educators, and school districts.  Outwardly, the TDOE needs to reconnect with the stakeholders here in Tennessee.  We look forward to working with the Lee Administration and the new Commissioner Lizzette Gonzalez Reynolds to continue making Tennessee the best place to raise a family and educate all children.  Together, we can unleash the full potential of K-12 education to provide children the opportunity to acquire knowledge and skills that will enable them to develop their full potential and become successful members of society.”

~ JC Bowman, Executive Director, Professional Educators of Tennessee

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JC Bowman is the Executive Director of Professional Educators of Tennessee, Professional Educators of Tennessee is a non-partisan teacher association headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee. Permission to reprint in whole or in part is hereby granted, provided that the author and the association are properly cited. For more information on this or any other education issue, or to schedule an interview, please contact:615-778-0803 x100 or send an email to info@proedtn.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

LEADER U CONFERENCE 2023 COMING TO MTSU ON JUNE 7TH  [View/Download PDF]

The Professional Educators of Tennessee have announced their annual professional learning conference, Leader U, which will be held on Wednesday, June 7^th at the MTSU Student Union Ballrooms.  This year’s Leader U is focusing on Lightening the Load by addressing the ever-present mental health issues and providing practical applications that will help educators meet the challenges they face daily.

To register, click here.

Quote from Bethany Bowman, The Director of Professional Learning for the Professional Educators of Tennessee:

“We know adding more work and responsibilities to our educators is driving people out of the field.  Educators need to work smarter, not harder.  That is why this year’s Leader U is focusing on Lightening the Load.  In addition to addressing the ever-present mental health issues, we want to provide practical applications that will help educators meet the challenges they face daily.  This year, we feel the message is so urgent and important that we are extending our invitation to include parents, guardians, homeschoolers, and college professors/students to attend as well.”

Additional speakers include:  Stacia Anglin (Public Educator), Christy Ballard (General Counsel at TDOE), Jennifer Boyd (Educator), Tim Childers (Educator), Rene’ Diamond (Cognitive Coach), Lance Forman (Director of the Educational Leadership Program at Lipscomb College), Dr. Ryan Jackson (Executive Director of Leadership and Business Partner Development for Kids On Stage of Maury County), Dr. Leticia Skae-Jackson (ELA Teacher), Theresa Nicholls (Director of Strategic Partnerships at SPED Strategies), Dr. Connie Smith (Senior Director for the Mid-Atlantic Region of Cognia), Planbook Staff, Daniel Xander (Producer and Creative Director), Dr. BJ Worthington (Leadership Coach) and Thomas Rogers (Assistant Superintendent).

The price to attend is $50 for members and $70 for non-members.  However, if you sign up early, anyone can use the discount/promo code 10OffLU to get $10 off.  Breakfast and lunch will be provided.

Previous Leader U attendees have praised the organization:

“It has been several years since I have been engaged with PET and I have missed the collegiality and support for the profession!  A job extremely well done!”

“Everything was great!  It was my first time attending and I look forward to coming again next year!”

“I appreciated the opportunity to attend Leader U.  It is wonderful to gain insight and perspective beyond our district.  It has been a highlight in my training for several years.”

“Thank you for providing a quality workshop!”

About Leader U

Leader U is the professional learning department of Professional Educators of Tennessee.  The annual Leader U conference is an opportunity for educators from across the state to gather for an in-person day of learning and earning professional development credits.  Classes for administrators are TASL accredited, but all classes are open to all attendees.  Conference sessions are also recorded and added to the large library of classes in the Leader U Online Learning Portal, which is included with Professional, Support and Student memberships from Professional Educators of Tennessee or with an annual subscription to the portal. 

To register, click here.

For more information or to schedule an interview with a Leader U representative or speaker, please contact the following:

PLA Media – Pamela L. Lewis, President/CEO, Phone:  (615) 327-0100   Email:  pam.lewis@plamedia.com 

Professional Educators of Tennessee – Bethany Bowman, Director of Professional Learning

Email:  learning@leaderutn.com

Professional Educators of Tennessee is a non-partisan teacher association headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee. Permission to reprint in whole or in part is hereby granted, provided that the author and the association are properly cited. For more information on this or any other education issue, or to schedule an interview, please contact:615-778-0803 x100 or send an email to info@proedtn.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

PASSAGE OF EDUCATOR WAGE INCREASE  [View/Download PDF]

Professional Educators of Tennessee has consistently worked to support teacher salary increases along with fair and equitable payroll legislation for many years. Today’s passage of SB281/HB329 marks a substantial improvement in these issues as a major investment for educators in our state. The legislation passed 90-8. Educators deserve to be well-compensated for their dedication to one of the most important and fundamental professions in educating our children. We will continue to champion salary increases, especially for our veteran educators. 

Regarding the payroll deduction portion of the bill, it is important to remember that this legislation does not in any way impede an educator’s ability to join or maintain their membership with any organization. It also increases transparency around the collection of dues by associations. When everyone received a paper check with a readily visible paystub delineating the various line items, deductions were clear and transparent.

Current technology has led to most payroll occurring completely electronically, and many people never even look at the details. Educators’ pay often changes each year due to a variety of factors and they are less likely to notice steadily increasing dues deductions that do not require prior notice. Our dues remain under $200 a year, with liability insurance, professional development, and valuable member benefits for educators across the state. Most educators choose monthly payments. 

For many years, non-union associations like ours struggled to attain fair access to payroll deduction of dues for our members. As a result, we developed a robust alternative system for dues payments. As it has become increasingly common to use automatic payments for a host of services in recent years, most organizations have implemented similar capabilities. Rapid improvements to these services as they have become more widely available make direct payments simpler and manageable, and we have heard from many members that they find online payment systems far more convenient than payroll deduction.

While there will be some initial additional administrative work involved to transition all of our members currently using payroll deduction for dues payments to another method, we feel that it will ultimately be a positive move for our members as association processes are streamlined and more efficient. We will continue to champion and prioritize salary increases for our hard-working educators and school employees across the state. 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

THE 2023 TENNESSEE STATE OF THE STATE PREVIEW ON EDUCATION  [View/Download PDF]

Governor Bill Lee gives his 5^th State of the State Speech on Monday, February 6, 2023. He will certainly mention education. It is unclear how much he will speak on this critical subject. His focus will likely be on transportation and infrastructure.

School safety may be one focus area. School security will remain a persistent problem for policymakers. Tennessee has done a relatively good job in this area. But vigilance is always needed. We look forward to seeing how Governor Lee plans to keep school personnel and students safe. School safety is a community issue, and we need at least one SRO in every school in our state. We need to partner with community groups and access the $250 million mental health fund we have already created.  

Probably the most talked about issue in education is the state’s 3rd Grade Retention law. The unskilled, uneducated, and illiterate face impossible odds in our world. Reading, Writing, and Basic Math are needed for survival.

We have several suggestions for Governor Lee. One is to revisit our standards. Simply put, we all know we have too many. Changes in the retention law are unlikely. However, around 15 bills have already been filed to address concerns in Tennessee’s education law. It is expected that the House Education Committee will review all legislation and create one bill of proposed changes.

The state needs to provide the necessary funding and support for K-2 students before even discussing student retention. Before determining interventions, we need to ensure that our K-2 students are on track earlier than third grade.

We must move summer school and enrichment back into kindergarten through third grade and expand tutoring. We need to give teachers more control over the classrooms to identify kids who are struggling and give students more support to be successful. We also know data must be tracked more effectively and be available to policymakers and stakeholders to judge the quality and reliability of any intervention.

The state needs to take a hard look at school readiness. Data by the Tennessee Comptroller shows that students who entered kindergarten at six or older scored about 10 percent higher on the third-grade English Language Arts test than their peers who started school at age five or under. That statistic is significant.

The Governor could highlight the very successful Grow Your Own model for strengthening the teacher pipeline. We must admit that fewer people are willing to be teachers. We must continue work to expand that number. The Governor and the Tennessee General Assembly must focus on legislation that helps recruit both new educators and retain existing educators. We need to look at the use of licensure exams and other barriers that limit educators.

As Chairman Mark White has suggested and we have advocated for, the state must consider paying for an education degree in return for teaching.  For educators, retention is critical. We must look at strategies to keep veteran teachers, even beyond thirty years. That means we must continue to seek additional benefits, starting salaries, and salary increases to keep educators in the field.

We also must continue to address student discipline and excessive teacher workload. We should examine the burden on educators in the name of accountability and over-testing of students. We should focus on increased funding for out-of-pocket expenses by teachers and look to assist with childcare stipends for educators with young children. Job sharing for our educators is a valuable option that would benefit young mothers and retired educators alike. These are ideas the Governor could put forth in his speech and they would be well received by educators across the state.

A strong educational system is essential to the functioning of a democracy, and our future. An engaging and challenging education is the proven path to prosperity and a life-long love of learning. The most effective vision for K-12 education in Tennessee is one that embraces local control of education and listens to those educating our children and engages with parents and families. We look forward to seeing how many of these issues Governor Lee addresses in the state of the state. 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

PROFESSIONAL EDUCATORS OF TENNESSEE RELEASES 2022 EDUCATOR SURVEY RESULTS  [View/Download PDF]

Professional Educators of Tennessee sent a 37-question survey to members in September of 2022 to see how they felt about the current school year and discover their thoughts about various education-related issues. We received 365 responses. Some of the questions had multiple parts and there were several places for comments to be added.

According to our 2021 survey, Teacher/Educator Morale was the most concerning category.   A majority 77.2% of respondents rated Teacher/Educator morale as either challenging or very challenging. For the survey year 2022, we added the Educator Workload and Educator Wages categories.  Respondents’ level of concern in these categories came in at 92.3% and 83.2% respectively. Student Attitudes and Student Discipline came at 82.9% and 79.5% while Teacher Morale remained as challenging as last year at 77.5%. Closely on the heels of concern for Teacher Morale was Student Family Environment which respondents rated at 77.4% followed by Classroom Management as 74.9% challenging or very challenging.

Other issues that concerned educators were Time Management, Class Size, Federal Rules and Regulations, Literacy, Student Poverty, Learning Differences, School Funding, Getting Sufficient Resources, Curriculum, State Standards, Bullying, School Safety, District Support, and Student Health. After last year, there appears much less concern regarding the technology available to students and teachers.  

We understood that the lengthy survey and complex questions would limit the number of responses. We were satisfied that 365 educators completed the survey. We are designing a more concise survey to measure some key issues over the course of a year. This will help us to determine if opinions change over time with a specific group. We believe the questions for policymakers and stakeholders alike are: How can we reduce teacher workload? What steps can be taken to reduce adverse student behavior? How can we keep teachers quitting or retiring early?

Click here for the full survey report.

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Commentary on 2020 NAEP Results from Professional Educators of Tennessee  [View/Download PDF]

Like any other test, I am careful about reading too much into the latest National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) results. With NAEP, representative samples of students rather than the entire national, state, or district populations take the test every two years and only in 4, 8, and 12th grades.

National Center for Education Statistics Commissioner Peggy Carr said “specific pandemic-era local decisions, like how long to keep a school or district shuttered, aren't solely the cause of these results. Exploring that deserves more research.” My response: “Why?”

Not every student in a state takes NAEP, only a random sample of students. There is no individual data. Students in both public and private schools are assessed. At the state level, only public-school assessments are reported to the media.

Are the results replicable? For example, would an independent group of researchers utilizing the same process, and the same students, get the same results as the original study with a similar or same test? We will never know.

Eighth-grade math had the sharpest decline in Tennessee; when compared to 2019 data we dropped 8 points. The average scores are not considerably different from the rest of the nation. Discussing NAEP, Harvard professor Kevin Mahnken believes the results “validated the public’s worst fears about pandemic learning loss.” Katie Reilly at Time Magazine says, “American students saw some of the biggest declines in academic achievement recorded in the last 50 years.”

The Wall Street Journal says the national test results reveal the damage from school closures. Education Historian Diane Ravitch writes: “The moral of the story is that students need to have human contact with a teacher and classmates to learn best. Virtual learning is a fourth-rate substitute for a real teacher and interaction with peers.”

There is no dispute that we witnessed a decline in 2020, with current scores for each grade level nearly identical to 2004 data for math and 2008 in reading. It appears to have negated the small gains made in intervening years, most notably in math, but average scores are significantly higher than when they first started being recorded in the 1970s.

There are a multitude of factors that contribute to a high-quality public school system. Performance, funding, safety, class size, quality of educators, instructional days, and community support are among the differences. School closures due to COVID are also a factor. The effects on student mental health due to the pandemic is a well-documented factor as well. How do we measure this disruption? Do we factor in COVID interventions such as tutoring or summer school? There are so many details about what the results show, with little information on how the results are derived.

For educators, NAEP is just a glimpse of a small sample of students. We know that there are both supporters and detractors of NAEP. We try not to fall into either camp, cheerleaders or critics. And we urge others not to overreact. Too often we celebrate when we do well on NAEP, then panic and advocate for change when we do not. In the process, we lose the momentum of other innovations that we have enacted.

We often never get the results on some programs or initiatives before we move on to the next crisis and cure-all for what ails us in public education. No matter the results, we can continue the sense we have of crisis in public education. Here come the experts, with a suitcase full of solutions for the problems that they have identified. NAEP assesses representative samples of students, not the entire student population. NAEP is just a snapshot. Nothing more. Nothing less.

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LITTLE KIDS ROCK REBRANDS AS ‘MUSIC WILL’  [View/Download PDF]

As part of a five-city tour to promote their new branded non-profit Music Will (formerly known as Little Kids Rock) founder Dave Wish spoke to me about their latest adaptation.

The former first-grade teacher started Little Kids Rock because his students didn’t like their current music program. He asked them what they wanted to play and at the time, they said, “Ricky Martin” and “Selena.” He began to teach the kids to play the music they wanted to hear and eventually it led to teaching other teachers to do the same. 

Initially supported by the likes of Carlos Santana, Bonnie Raitt, and John Lee Hooker, Wish was able to train other teachers and get instruments in the hands of young students. 

When Wish could no longer teach first grade and guide all the students who wanted to play music, in 2002, the pioneer started the non-profit, “Little Kids Rock.” Their mission was simple, “Transforms lives by transforming music education.”
Fast forward 20 years: since then Little Kids Rock has served 1,200,000 in 6000+ schools from 928 school districts where they donated more than 100,000 instruments.

The only problem was, that all kids wanted to participate, not just little kids. And they wanted to play all forms of music, not just rock. The program did expand to cover students of all ages (even college) and they wanted to make sure their music education programs were just as diverse as the children they served. Therefore, rebranding was required.

On a five-city tour to promote the rebranding, Dave Wish stopped by Nashville where 1/3 of the public schools have benefited from his program. 

The ever generous Gibson Foundation was charitable enough to provide the event space in their popular “Gibson Garage” while donating an additional 125 new guitars to the Nashville Area Music Will program.

Gibson Guitar CEO, J.C. Curleigh succinctly stated, “Tonight is about making music matter more, one guitar at a time.”

Those who attended enjoyed live music from Cassadee Pope, Kelley Jenae, Kat & Alex, Tigirlily, Chris Donohoe Band, Temecula Road, and Kyle Daniel who selflessly donated their time to the event.

The highlight of the evening was when Siegal Elementary music teacher and long-time Music Will ambassador, Mark Hale, brought his young students to play for the occasion. Seeing the pride and happiness on the students’ faces as they performed made all in attendance fully understand the importance of the non-profit. 

Hale stated that if it wasn’t for the Little Kids Rock program he probably would have quit teaching music he would have “missed out on touching kids’ lives.”

It was a full circle moment when guitarist and producer, Kelley Janae performed as she was one of Mark Hale’s students when he first started teaching with the Little Kids Rock method. Janae credits Hale for her thriving career as he inspired her to be a guitarist in 3rd grade. By age nine, the musician was playing her favorite song, “Crazy Train” for the NAMM convention at the Ryman.

She told the crowd, “Thank you Mr. Hale for encouraging me early on, for booking gigs for our band, Flashback, and for working with our band even though we were moving on to middle school. Most importantly, thank you for pushing us to be the best musicians that we can be. Your commitment to your students and genuine passion for music has been one the reasons why I am still a musician to this day.”

Music Will is now the largest non-profit Music Education program in the US public schools.

Wish stated, “Music is not an academic subject, music is what unites the human family and has since time began. [Music] doesn’t come from schools, it doesn’t come from buildings. It comes from the beating hearts of people who have something to say. It is a cultural treasure above anything else.”

He continued, “The future of the world is children. So why are the grownups behaving so badly in this country right now? I believe that music punches above its weight as a force for change, a force for good. We should let American children revel in learn about and make American music in all its diverse glory in every form.”

What can unite us? Music will. 

You can learn more about Music Will on their website, Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

RESPONSE TO TCAP DISTRICT-LEVEL RESULTS  [View/Download PDF]

Today, the Tennessee Department of Education released the 2021-22 TCAP District-Level Results Driving Student Academic Achievement and Acceleration. Professional Educators of Tennessee agrees with Commissioner Schwinn’s assessment that we must continue to focus on “accelerating academic achievement.”

Our success in returning students to pre-pandemic levels of student achievement is due to the diligent work of those in our classrooms supporting students. We believe summer school was a good example of students interacting with educators and addressing gaps in learning, which was the critical ingredient, not programs.

The old quote: “Success has many fathers; failure is an orphan” comes to mind. Those at the top will rush out and claim credit for today’s good news, and rightly so. We appreciate the work of the Tennessee General Assembly and other policymakers. However, we must acknowledge the work of those on the frontline engaged in student-centered instruction.

However, we cannot be satisfied until every child has reached their full potential. For parents, we encourage working together with their child’s school and teachers. By increasing collaboration and with the necessary support, every child can reach or exceed their own goals and expectations to be successful in their future careers. We have a long way to go, but overall, these results were good news for the state and districts. 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

DR. TAVIA MCLEOD JOINS BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF PROFESSIONAL EDUCATORS OF TENNESSEE  [View/Download PDF]

Nashville, TN---Dr. Tavia McLeod, Director of Instructional Leadership Licensure Programs at Trevecca Nazarene University recently joined the Board of Directors of Professional Educators of Tennessee. As a longtime public education teacher, as well as administrator, McLeod has over two decades of experience and research in leadership training in education. At Trevecca, she serves as an Institution Review Board (IRB) member and an Instructional Leadership Comprehensive Program Reviewer. She is an avid Vanderbilt football fan and loves to cook. Current Board Member, Stacia Anglin stated, “Tavia McLeod has a big heart. She never seeks power, status, or recognition for herself. She is about service to others and is a perfect addition to the Professional Educators of Tennessee Board.” Dr. McLeod is the treasurer of the Tennessee Association of Independent Liberal Arts Colleges of Teacher Education. She and her husband Chris are proud owners of an Irish Terrier, Rogan. 

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EMBRACING THE NEW NORMAL  [View/Download PDF]

Nashville, TN---This year’s Leader U Professional Development Conference will be on June 7, 2022, at Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. Teachers, administrators, and other education leaders can engage in real-life conversations that will enable them to share their experiences and build common ground with others in Tennessee. As opposed to online training, in-person sessions will allow educators to develop genuine, lasting relationships while sparking creativity concerning the best ways to educate children.

Building on lessons learned over the past two years, this conference will keep educators moving forward in the shadow of doubt and uncertainty. We are featuring cutting-edge educational leaders Dr. Ann Marie Taylor, Dr. Tavia McLeod, Mary Batiwalla,  Cheri Dedmon,  Laura Roland, Tim Childers, Natalie Beach, Tammy Boyer, John Fanning, Laticia Skae, Mike Mitchell, Katrina Adkins, and others. In addition to MTSU, we will have representatives from Lipscomb University, Trevecca University, and Western Governors University on hand for those who want to pursue additional academic opportunities in education.  

The pandemic disrupted lives, businesses, and communities worldwide. Teachers knew that change was inevitable in public education, but educators had hoped they would have more control of the narrative and dictate the pace of change. They did not. This is our new normal. Together we must face it with determination, vulnerability, and optimism.

The shift in the education landscape created by this pandemic was so rapid and chaotic that it created uncertainty for educators, students, and parents. In many cases, teachers could not meet the needs of students, because assessing them was challenging. The well-being of teachers and students alike is a persistent concern. Access to technology was not adequate in communities. Many teachers had access issues and needed technology coaching themselves.

The world has forever changed and none of us can go back. The global pandemic established that education is even more critical for students than before. The women and men in classrooms across this state stepped up to meet unique and extraordinary challenges like the true professionals that they are. Teachers were expected to do more than just instruct their students. School leaders and administrators were among the most stressed during the pandemic. Still, the greatest resource has and will be where educators work together for the common good of children and their community.

Today, teachers and administrators need to address and learn from the challenges facing public education in a way that will make a positive and lasting impact on our students. Educators need to express fact-based opinions on issues like: How can we better assess students and reduce testing? What are the technological tools that can help students learn? How can we still develop 21st-century skills like critical thinking and problem-solving? What changes are on the horizon?

The pandemic denied educators an opportunity to meet face-to-face. This is a return to an in-person conversation, to communicate ideas, and/or get inspiration. The value of networking and in-person conversations has never been more necessary. The educator’s voice is needed to improve public education, so all students can adapt, think critically, and work effectively. Educators need to be engaged to drive needed change in K-12 education for students.

Leader U is a place where educators from across the state can meet and share experiences with other like-minded professionals. A place where you can expand your knowledge and find solutions  We invite all educators practicing in kindergarten through graduate schools, public or private, and certified and classified staff to join us on Tuesday, June 7th, at MTSU for Leader U 2022 where we will be Embracing the New Normal together. Teachers can earn 6 professional development credits while administrators can earn TASL credit. The cost for the event is $60 and includes breakfast and lunch.  

Come exchange ideas, network, hear from other education leaders, and share your passion for public education. If anyone would like to attend the conference, please visit the website at http://www.leaderutn.com/ or call 615-778-0803.

TENNESSEE SCHOOL FUNDING SURVEY RESULTS   [View/Download PDF]

The Professional Educators of Tennessee sent a survey to their members and other stakeholders to get their thoughts on the changes that the Governor is proposing to the Basic Education Program (BEP) school funding formula.

While the majority of respondents were for spending more money on education, they were uncertain exactly what is entailed in the Governor’s proposed budget.

Here is the full survey.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SCHOOL FUNDING, VOUCHERS, AND THE ASD  [View/Download PDF]

It is back to work for state legislators. The first week of the legislature has been very busy. While criticizing politicians is a national activity and a form of amusement for many, the truth is that most of these folks are good people, working hard, and trying to do the right thing for our state. It is always the good, bad, and ugly in any political system.

The Tennessee Constitution requires the General Assembly is required to provide for the maintenance, support, and eligibility standards of a system of free public schools. The current formula is subject to ongoing litigation, and the amount the state currently spends on public education is among the bottom in the nation. We are optimistic that we can move forward. On Tuesday, January 11^th the Commissioner of Education, Penny Schwinn unveiled a potential new school funding formula she calls the "Funding for Student Success."  

The process has been somewhat rushed, and they should have started much earlier. There are some concerns about use of Gates Foundation money, and involvement of national groups in this process.  Many subcommittees still have not finished their work. But in general, there is a lot to like in this proposal, as it is pretty inclusive of what we are already funding now. However, the devil is always in the details. For example, the draft sent out does not include funding amounts. In fiscal 2021-2022, the state is on track to spend at least $5.6 billion in state dollars on K-12 education, though that figure doesn't include federal and local funding toward K-12 education. A side-by-side comparison would be useful.

The new framework would include money for educator salaries, nurses, counselors, and student supports, intervention resources, and technology — along with varying district-specific needs. Some of those items need to be identified and spelled out. In addition, dollars for specific student subgroups that are sometimes harder or more expensive to educate like students who are living in poverty, English language learners and students with disabilities, or students who qualify for Section 504 dyslexia plans would get more money. Again, a little more clarity will be needed and safeguards in place to make sure those designations are not used to get more funding.

The state also plans to allocate additional funding for tutoring programs, career and technical education programs to districts considered "fast-growing." The tutoring program needs closer examination and more accountability. Likewise, we need to make sure we are indeed tracking career and technical education more carefully. We need to know the number enrolled, how many are passing recognized industry certifications, and then on how many are entering the workforce.

Governor Bill Lee made clear in a December press conference that the funding formula was not about vouchers. "I'm a strong advocate for school choice and continue to be, but this is really not about choice issues for education," according to Lee. On the same day the funding draft was released, Senator Mike Bell and Representative Michael Curcio introduced legislation that would expand the Education Savings Accounts (vouchers). Currently, the law which applies only to Nashville and Memphis was halted by courts. It is scheduled to be heard by the Tennessee Supreme Court in February.

Memphis and Nashville are the systems that stayed pretty much remote last year. Subsequently, both school systems saw a significant regression in state test scores last year. The Bell/Curcio bill would expand the law to make vouchers available to students in any Tennessee district that mandates masks or does not offer at least 180 days of in-person learning due to the coronavirus pandemic. This bill would also make the voucher program applicable statewide.

Currently, the voucher law enacted by the state in 2019 has been declared unconstitutional. There are likely not enough affordable private schools in Memphis and Nashville to meet the demand should parents take a voucher. The state has very little oversight on private schools and there are no requirements on private schools which would prohibit them from mandating masks. However, a shared consensus is emerging: remote learning did not work academically and mentally for most children. On that, we can all agree.

The Achievement School District (ASD), the state’s turnaround program for low-performing schools, was created in 2010 as part of Tennessee’s Race to the Top plan. Currently, Memphis and Nashville are the only cities that have schools in the ASD. The bill says vouchers also would be extended to students zoned to attend an ASD school. Both sides of the political aisle know ASD is a failed concept.

Speaker Cameron Sexton and many conservative lawmakers have discussed it as a failure. State Representative Antonio Parkinson has pointed out its failures for years. In regards to the ASD model, conservatives bemoaned the loss of local control when it was first proposed. For others, it was the lack of resources and not understanding the underpinnings of poverty that concerned policymakers. Both are still accurate today.

Tennessee has spent nearly $1 billion on the underperforming schools’ program. Data shows ASD is not working and has been less effective than district-run schools. Lack of certified teachers and continual teacher turnover are constant issues. Student absentee rate is also higher, and the program has not worked as intended for student achievement. There is no data to support that the program is, or was, or will help all students.

The Tennessee General Assembly works best when they hear from Tennesseans on issues that matter most to them. We believe issue advocacy is good, and it is a First Amendment right to express an opinion to policymakers. In education, they need to hear from parents and educators regularly.  You can visit the state website at www.tn.gov to contact your legislators.  

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PROFESSIONAL EDUCATORS OF TENNESSEE RELEASES ANNUAL FALL SURVEY RESULTS  [View/Download Survey Results in PDF]