Tennessee now meets 8 out of 10 quality standards benchmarks that evaluate the effectiveness of preschool education programs, according to The State of Preschool 2019 report issued by the National Institute for Early Education Research (NIEER). This ranking comes as a result of successful policy changes that enabled Tennessee to meet the Continuous Quality Improvement…
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TN Dept. of Human Services Offers COVID-19 Assistance to Families
To help Tennessee parents serving essential workforce roles during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Department of Human Services (TDHS) has established payment assistance and network of temporary care locations to make child care services free during the state’s emergency order. Tennessee workers in essential jobs – including first responders, food service, law enforcement, health care military…
» Read MoreTN Teachers Face the Challenge of COVID-19: Q&A with Jill Ramsey, Putnam County Schools
Teachers across the state have been transitioning to remote learning models as a result of school closures caused by COVID-19. To support students and families during this period, school districts across the state ramped up “distance learning” by expanding web-based education, mobilizing technology resources for needy students and creating a new relationship between teachers and…
» Read MoreFunds Now Available through TN Dept. of Human Services for affected persons and child care businesses
The Tennessee Department of Human Services announced the availability of funding for COVID-19 affected persons and child care businesses. Cash Assistance for People: The Tennessee Department of Human Services (TDHS) is making essential financial resources available to families that have been significantly impacted by the COVID-19 emergency. Beginning 10 A.M. CST Thursday, March 26, families…
» Read MoreDespite Recess, Early Learning Policies Make Progress
TQEE proposed our most robust policy agenda at the start of 2020. Legislation to expand pre-k, increase high quality child care seats and address unspent TANF funds progressed through the committee process. Those bills remain poised for action by the committees if the legislature reconvenes this year. If the legislature does not return for an…
» Read MorePreK Leaders Share Tips to Defeat COVID ‘Cool Down’
Parents and caregivers are usually a child’s most important teacher, but school closures associated with the COVID-19 spread adds even more meaning to the phrase “parents as teachers.” Parents and teachers are all too familiar with the term “summer slide” – when children forget or lose what they learned in the school year, while on…
» Read MoreMayor Jeff Griggs – Lexington, TN – On Early Education, PreK and Child Care
Jeff Griggs, Mayor of Lexington, TN was a welcome supporter at this year’s TQEE Day on the Hill. He joined dozens from across the state advocating for legislation that will provide our children with improved early education. Mayor Griggs echoes our passion for equipping Tennessee’s youngest learners with the strong foundation they need for future…
» Read MoreA Bold, Urgent 2020 Agenda for Early Learning
We released our 2020 legislative agenda today! It’s bold, and urgent and needs your support! From expanding PreK, to setting a new course for affordable, quality child care, to doubling down on early literacy programs – the stakes are high! Read the summary HERE! You might also be interested in: Serve and Return: How Child…
» Read MoreTennesseans believe early education is key to ‘right track’ for public education
New poll of Tennessee voters shows overwhelming support for policy proposals to improve early learning outcomes birth to third grade. In the current partisan environment, Tennessee Republicans and Democrats often agree on very little. But when it comes to education, they’re strongly united in the view that the state’s public education system is on the…
» Read More$1 Billion and Change
How could this be? Why didn’t Tennessee policymakers know? What should we do with all this money? Those are questions being asked in response to a recent report issued by the Beacon Center, a conservative Tennessee think tank. In October Beacon reported that Tennessee has amassed a $732 million surplus reserve of federal TANF (Temporary…
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