With recent news that the State of Tennessee Department of Education (TNDOE) has granted funding for Voluntary Pre-K (VPK) classrooms in 138 school districts, it’s important to underscore that investment in high quality Pre-K is vital if Tennessee is going to improve our public schools. The immediate priority is to improve the percentage of third…
» Read MoreCategory Archives: Issues
Legislative Support Signals Commitment to Improve Tennessee early education
Media Release: Early education advocates across Tennessee are cheering results of the 2019 Tennessee legislative session that include a slate of approved policy proposals aimed at boosting learning prior to third grade as a strategy to improve Tennessee’s public education system. Highlights include a new pilot to create a network of early grades literacy and…
» Read MoreThe Art of Appreciating Special Teachers
High quality teachers impact lives. We see it everywhere from the most advanced academic studies all the way down to the look on a child’s face when that child begins to learn. May 6-10 is Teacher Appreciation Week and something we always need to remember is that teachers should feel valued for all of the…
» Read MoreEarly Home Visiting Programs: Compassionate and Cost-Effective Policy
Backed by compelling data and amazing personal success stories, Tennessee Senator Steve Dickerson and Speaker Pro Tempore Bill Dunn are advancing an important solution to help parents develop the skills they need to give their young children a great start in life: increasing the state’s investment in voluntary, evidenced-based home visiting. Home visiting…
» Read MoreMore about Home Visiting
You have probably noticed we talk a lot about home visiting. That’s because it works! Unfortunately, even though the evidence continues to show the benefits of evidence-based home visiting, less than 2% of eligible Tennessee children have access. Put another way, of Tennessee’s 95 counties 45 do not have any type of home visiting program,…
» Read MoreLiteracy Coaching for Child Care Teachers Drives Big Wins for Kids
Of all the education investments where Tennessee has seen a positive impact made with public funding, one with the most promise may be early literacy coaching in child care. The state’s child care landscape is a hodgepodge of mixed providers with frontline personnel having varying degrees of experience and ability. Teaching jobs often pay less…
» Read MoreAthletes Aren’t the Only Ones Who Need Coaches
March Madness is behind us for this year but boy what a season! Hats off to Virginia for staying the course and finishing strong. The season finish was a testament to hard work, perseverance, and teamwork. It was also a testament to good coaching and unrelenting practice, which offers a parallel to excellent teaching. Tennessee…
» Read MoreWaging the Battle for Literacy and Math Proficiency
Early literacy and math are among the greatest predictors of future academic success. That fact can be troubling when one considers that only 34% of Tennessee 3rd graders are proficient in literacy and only 40% in math. But here are a few Tennessee-based examples of people and communities making a difference in early learning. Enjoy…
» Read MoreGreat Teaching is Magic – 8
In education, teachers are where the rubber meets the road. Simply put, teaching is the number one contributor to student achievement. The work of early grade teachers is especially critical to help kids establish a strong learning foundation that enables them to continue strong learning and achievement into third grade. Student proficiency in third grade…
» Read MoreOak Ridge Parents Say PreK Has Huge Impact, Should Be Available to All
Let’s face it, parenting can be difficult and getting a child prepared to attend school can be a challenge, even under perfect circumstances. For these Oak Ridge families, pre-K was a valuable advantage in getting their kids ready to be learners. Within this group, impediments to speech and hearing compounded the usual challenges of early-years…
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