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A happy new year is on the horizon for Tennessee families
It’s well documented that Tennessee families are struggling to find quality child care and preschool, and most can’t afford it when they find it. As a result, many parents are reducing work hours or opting out of work altogether. In
TQEE Appoints Nicole Smith Vice President of Communications
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Tennesseans for Quality Early Education (TQEE) has announced the appointment of Nicole Smith as vice president of communications. In this role, Smith will oversee strategic development and implementation of TQEE’s communications, public relations and marketing programs, as well
Happy Week-of-the-Young-Child!
Happy week of the young child everyone! The Week of the Young Child® is an annual celebration sponsored by the the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) 50 years ago to celebrate children 0-8 and their families. Watch this
Governor Lee’s Education Bill Package is a Strong Start for Tackling TN’s Early Learning Gap
TQEE actively supported the Lee administration’s education proposals during the special session as a strong and important start for addressing the literacy crisis and education-related challenges laid bare by the pandemic. With nearly two-thirds of Tennessee’s third graders not proficient in
Agreed: $732+ million is WAY too much! Getting the TANF Reserve Amount Right
Half of all children ages 0 - 8 in Tennessee live in households with incomes below 200% of the federal poverty level -- that's $51,853 annually for a family of two adults and two children. The United Ways of
Special Legislative Session Called at a Crucial Time for Getting Early Education Right in Tennessee
Governor Bill Lee has called a special legislative session, beginning Tuesday, January 19th, to prioritize passing a suite of education bills related to sagging literacy, learning loss, assessment and accountability and salary increases for teachers and other educational staff. With two-thirds
Reading 360: Tackling Tennessee’s Literacy Crisis
What is Reading 360? Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, only a third of Tennessee’s 3rd graders were reading on grade level. To help tackle this crisis, the Tennessee Department of Education dedicated $100 million to an initiative called “Reading 360” to
TQEE Appoints Lee Harrell as VP, Advocacy
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Tennesseans for Quality Early Education (TQEE) announces the appointment of Lee Harrell as Vice President of Advocacy. In this role, Harrell will direct TQEE’s state advocacy program, advancing state policies that ensure all Tennessee children birth through 3rd
New investment of TANF in evidence-based home visiting is a step in the right direction
TQEE has been among the state’s strongest advocates for expanding Evidence-Based Home Visiting (EBHV), a best practice in early childhood development which has repeatedly proven to strengthen parenting skills, reduce abuse and neglect, and get children ready for school. In addition
Home Visiting’s Powerful Human Stories
Take a step back from the compelling financial return on investment of evidence-based home visiting (EBHV) policy to study the true impact of this vital program through the lives of Tennessee children. While home visiting boasts a remarkable $5.70 positive return for every $1 investment,
