Tennessee Firefly

1 week ago | tnfirefly.com | Sky Arnold

This week, two of the leading providers of public polling in Tennessee released their spring statewide poll of voters’ opinions on a variety of issues, including education. The poll from Vanderbilt University surveyed 1,223 registered voters in late April, while the Beacon Center’s poll reached out to 1,200 voters from April 8 through April 23.

1 week ago | tnfirefly.com | Sky Arnold

Hamilton County Schools Superintendent Dr. Justin Robertson announced five new principal appointments Wednesday afternoon for the 2025/26 school year, including three for elementary schools and another two for middle schools. In a news release sent to the Tennessee Firefly, the district said each leader represents its ongoing commitment to student success, strong instructional leadership, and inclusive school environments that support student growth.

1 week ago | tnfirefly.com | Sky Arnold

Last month members of the Tennessee House and Senate failed to iron out the differences between each chamber’s bill to provide state intervention into Memphis-Shelby County Schools. The impasse effectively tabled the proposal until next year, but lawmakers did pass an unrelated bill in the closing hours of the session that could still create a major shake-up in the district.

2 weeks ago | tnfirefly.com | Sky Arnold

Dr. Jean Little says her teenage mother dropped out of school after she was born and raised her in public housing. She says education changed her life and put her on the path to being an educator for the Jackson-Madison County School System and most recently, a school principal in Kentucky. Little told her personal story to members of the Jackson-Madison County School Board Wednesday to explain why she now wants to found the county’s second public charter school.

2 weeks ago | tnfirefly.com | Sky Arnold

In recent years Tennessee lawmakers have touted major educational investments including a historic teacher pay raise and the billion new education dollars provided by the Tennessee Investment in Student Achievement (TISA). A new report from the National Education Association (NEA) finds those investments appear to be making an impact, but not one that’s large enough to vault the state to the head of the class for education spending just yet.