Inside TNSuccess

How the Primary was a Pivotal Moment for TN Kids

Tennessee’s primary results made an enormous statement about the strength of education reform. The deep and wide-spread support of reform policies will continue to impact the 2020 political landscape in November. Championing and supporting Tennessee kids is our highest priority, and improving education remains a top priority for the majority of Tennesseans. 

TSS CEO Adam Lister said, “Though last week’s primary election represented a significant victory for continuing our advances in education, it was only an opportunity to do better. We must not sit on our laurels. Our ceiling to education greatness in Tennessee is as high as the boundless potential of each of our students.” Read the full blog post here. 

Tennessee COVID-19 Update

The following updates are from Governor Bill Lee’s press conference last Thursday:

• Tennessee Bureau of Investigation Commissioner, David Rausch, provided an alarming update that they have received 450 tips related to cybercrime this year, emphasizing that many were linked to adolescents. Due to this substantial increase, the Department of Education announced a partnership with the TBI to increase cybersecurity for Tennessee schools, students, and faculty. The Department of Education committed to providing additional details within the next couple of weeks.
• Tennessee Department of Education Commissioner, Penny Schwinn, provided an update on school reopenings, as 90% of schools in Tennessee have now reopened. Of the 90% of schools reopened, 88% of them are utilizing a hybrid model. Additionally, Commissioner Schwinn emphasized the importance of early childhood literacy, while reminding parents and educators of the phonics-based, Tennessee Foundational Skills Curriculum Supplement, resource located on the Department’s website. 
• Tennessee Department of Health Commissioner, Lisa Piercey, provided an update that positive COVID-19 cases in every Tennessee county have peaked, or they are beginning to decline. Additionally, she reported that overall hospitalizations continue to decrease across the state.

Inside Equity with HC*Excell

In this week’s edition of Inside Equity, we chatted with HC*Excell, Hamblen County Foundation for Education Excellence and Achievement. HC*Excell’s mission is to promote educational excellence and achievement as a means of sustaining economic prosperity and improving the quality of life in Hamblen County.

Read our full blog post about the impact HC*Excell is making here. 

Join Our Back to School Webinar Part II

In partnership with TennesseeCAN, TSS is hosting an online discussion with diverse voices from across the state about student learning experiences from schools that have officially begun for the fall semester.

This is an open discussion, and we welcome your questions and thoughts on Wednesday, September 2, at 3 pm CT/4 pm ET. Hear from a panel of parents, teachers, school leaders, and state legislators on returning to school this fall. 

In Case You Missed It…

• WMC: Collierville Schools creating COVID-19 data tracking program for students, staff
• Chattanooga Times Free Press: Hamilton County school board to vote on $1.1 million to provide internet for low-income students
• News Channel 5: School nurses expect a heavier load with COVID-19
• Citizen Tribune: TnAchieves taking mentoring program online
• The Tennessean: What the first Friday night of Tennessee high school football during coronavirus pandemic looked like
• Chalkbeat: One of the first states to reopen schools, Tennessee grapples with how to keep parents informed and schools staffed amid COVID-19
• Daily Memphian: Community volunteers to examine effects of pandemic on students