Latest news with #LizzetteReynolds
Yahoo
09-07-2025
- General
- Yahoo
TCAP scores 2025: Tennessee students make strides in math, science
Tennessee students posted year-over-year gains in math and science scores on the 2025 state standardized test, and also saw improvements for some grades in English language arts and social studies. The Tennessee Education Department of Education highlighted several data points in a July 8 news release, comparing last year's scores with this year. Here's what it included: Most tested grades increased proficiency in English language arts. English I and English II scores saw around a 4 percentage point bump. Math proficiency increased across all grade levels. Sixth graders gained more than 5 percentage points. Statewide science proficiency grew by nearly 2 percentage points. As a whole, elementary and middle school students gained nearly 4 percentage points in social studies scores. In the release, Tennessee Commissioner of Education Lizzette Reynolds said she is encouraged by the progress students have made. She also praised the dedication of teachers, schools and districts. "This year's TCAP results reflect Tennessee's strong commitment to investing in our students' futures and the steady progress we're making statewide," Reynolds said. Spreadsheets with state- and district-level data were posted by the Tennessee Department of Education on July 8. However, the state report card is not yet updated with 2025 data. It typically provides further insights and analysis that compares TCAP data to previous years. TCAP scores fall under four categories: "below," "approaching," "meeting" and "exceeding" expectations. Metro Nashville Public Schools saw more students than ever who scored as "meeting" or "exceeding" expectations as a whole this year, according to a July 8 district news release. Additionally, the number of students who scored as "below" decreased across all tested areas, while the number of students who scored as "exceeding" increased across all tested subjects in district-run schools. The district also marked its highest scores in English language arts, math and social studies since state testing standards changed during the 2016-17 school year and in science since standards changed during the 2018-19 school year. When it comes to recovery from disruptions caused by the pandemic, MNPS said students have made significant progress, posting double-digit gains in English language arts, math, science and social studies. In the release, MNPS Director Adrienne Battle said this year's gains are a sign that the district's strategies and academic supports are paying off. "These results are the product of unwavering focus, hard work, and belief — in our students, in our teachers, and in what's possible," Battle said. More: How Tennessee kids fared on 2025 third grade reading test It's not yet clear when the Tennessee School Report Card, which includes visuals and analysis of state, district and school testing data, will update with the 2025 TCAP results. It can be found at The TCAP Family Portal will have individual student data later this month, according to state education department. It can be found at Downloadable TCAP assessment data for 2025 and previous years is available on the Tennessee Department of Education website at Scroll down to the "State Assessments" heading, then click "Assessment Files." This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Tennessee TCAP scores 2025: Students make strides in math, science
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Tennessee school vouchers: Half of applicants request scholarships with income cap
Roughly half of those who have applied for Tennessee's taxpayer-funded school vouchers to offset private K-12 school costs put in for scholarships with income limits, according to the Tennessee Department of Education. As of May 19, more than 38,000 people applied for the newly launched vouchers, known as Education Freedom Scholarships, just four days after applications opened, a news release from the department stated. The program marks a statewide expansion to Tennessee's controversial school vouchers and offers 20,000 scholarships worth $7,295 for the 2025-26 school year. The first 10,000 are reserved for families who fall below an income threshold, have children with disabilities or received vouchers under Tennessee's previous program. The remaining 10,000 are open to all eligible students, regardless of income. The department said it received 18,852 applications for qualified income scholarships and 19,308 for universal scholarships as of May 19. It was not immediately clear if any applicants have been approved, including those who applied for the income-restricted scholarships. "The demand for universal school choice in Tennessee is strong, and families are embracing the freedom they have been provided through the Education Freedom Scholarship Program," Tennessee Commissioner of Education Lizzette Reynolds said in the release. "All students deserve the ability to access a learning environment that best fits their unique needs." The applicants so far span 300 zip codes, the release said. An average of 2,935 applications were submitted per grade level from kindergarten through 12th grade. Applications were still open as of May 20. They will be approved in the order they are received, but it will take some time for the department to process, approve and award the 20,000 vouchers, the release said. A waiting list will be established if additional scholarships become available. Applicants will receive updates from the email address Notifications@ More: TN private school voucher program gets over 33K applications for 20K spots within hours of opening As applications launched last week, parents reported mixed results on wait times, with some who were in the queue for hours as estimated wait times fluctuated wildly. Others were able to get through in a matter of minutes. Some said they received confirmation emails with the wrong child's name, but later received updates with the correct information. The department said it tested its website and system thoroughly to handle a large influx of traffic ahead of opening applications. It was not immediately clear when applications will close. Applications and more information can be found at Rachel Wegner covers education and children's issues for The Tennessean. Got a story you think she should hear? Reach her via email at RAwegner@ You can also find her on Twitter or Bluesky under the handle @RachelAnnWegner. This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Tennessee school vouchers: How many listed income restrictions
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Over 33,000 applications submitted on first day of Tennessee school voucher program
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — Tennessee officially launched its universal school voucher program on Thursday and state officials reported over 33,000 applications were submitted within hours of its launch. Following the passage of the Education Freedom Act in January, parents can now apply to receive around $7,000 of state funds to be used on private school tuition. A total of 20,000 scholarships will be available for the upcoming school year to use at more than 200 private schools across Tennessee, 10,000 of which will be reserved for eligible students based on income. Oak Ridge catholic school welcomes voucher applicants on program launch day Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee announced Tuesday that the Department of Education received over 33,000 applications on Thursday. Families can still apply at Completed applications will be reviewed in the order they are received. 'The response to universal school choice in Tennessee has been an overwhelming success,' said Lizzette Reynolds, Commissioner of Education. 'Families have embraced the educational opportunities that have been unleashed for their students through the state's Education Freedom Scholarship program.' East Tennessee public schools respond to passage of Governor's school voucher bill If the number of applications received exceeds 75% of the total number of scholarships available, the department may increase the maximum number of scholarships available for the next school year by up to 5,000. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Applications for Tennessee's new school voucher program to open on May 15
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — The application window for Tennessee's new school voucher program opens Thursday, May 15 at noon CT/ 1 p.m. Eastern. A total of 20,000 scholarships will be available for the upcoming school year to use at more than 200 private schools across Tennessee. The scholarships are made possible by the Education Freedom Act, which state lawmakers passed in January. The scholarships allow a child who attends a public school in grades K-12 to use state funds to attend a private school. The amount available to students is around $7,000. $10,000 reward offered in 40-year-old Campbell County cold case 'A quality education has the power to change the trajectory of a child's life, and for the first time, families across Tennessee have the opportunity to choose the best school for their child,' said Gov. Lee. 'I'm grateful that the vast majority of eligible schools intend to participate in Education Freedom Scholarships, and I have full confidence in the Department of Education's ability to implement the program.' Of the scholarship available, 10,000 will be reserved for eligible students based on income, IEA eligibility, or ESA eligibility. The Department of Education released a student application checklist, which provides detailed eligibility requirements. To be eligible, the student must live in Tennessee, be a U.S. citizen or be lawfully in the U.S., have not more than 13 years in school and entering grades K-12 and must be 5 years old by September 30, 2025. 'I appreciate all the families and schools who engaged throughout this implementation phase as we continue to best prepare them for the upcoming application launch on May 15,' said Lizzette Reynolds, Commissioner of Education. East Tennessee public schools respond to passage of Governor's school voucher bill According to the Vanderbilt Poll, 8% of parents with public school children said they plan to use the vouchers, while 34% of parents of private school students said they plan to apply for a voucher to help pay tuition. If the number of applicants exceeds 75% of the vouchers available, the act allows for the number of scholarships to be increased by up to 5,000. To learn more, visit the Education Freedom Scholarship webpage. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
31-01-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Nation's Report Card: Tennessee students make math and reading gains, top national scores
Fourth and eighth graders in Tennessee's public schools showed growth and outperformed their national peers in reading and math in the 2024 National Assessment of Educational Progress. The results, also known as the Nation's Report Card, were released Wednesday by the National Center for Education Statistics, a federal organization. Every two years, the center estimates national student achievement by studying academic performance among a sampling of students within a subset of schools. Tennessee Education Commissioner Lizzette Reynolds praised educators for the growth, crediting their focus on improving student outcomes. "While we know there is still much work to do, we are thankful for historic investments by Gov. Lee and the General Assembly, and we appreciate the continued work of district leaders and educators to implement the right interventions and supports to continue moving our students forward," Reynolds said in a news release Wednesday. Nationally, the new data paints a much bleaker picture, with a dip in literacy skills for fourth and eighth graders. It also showed students performed worse in math and reading in 2024 testing than they did in 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic. The results illustrate a continuing national struggle to help students recover from the fallout of the pandemic. The state education department called growth among Tennessee students a sign of the state's "unwavering commitment to public schools" and highlighted several more key achievements from the data. Here are a few of them. Nation's Report Card 2024: Kids' reading, math skills are worsening, new test scores reveal. What's going on? Of the Tennessee fourth graders tested, 32% scored proficient in reading, notching a two-point increase from 2022. They also outpaced the 30% national proficiency rate for 2024. Additionally, 32% of the eight graders tested also scored proficient, a four-point increase from 2022. Those students also outpaced the 29% national proficiency rate for 2024. Of the fourth graders tested, 42% scored proficient in math, a six-point increase from 2022. They outpaced the national proficiency rate of 40% for 2024. Among the eight graders tested, 31% scored proficient, marking a seven-point increase from 2022. They also outpaced the national proficiency rate of 27% for 2024. English learners also notched double-digit gains in a few categories in the 2024 report card. Fourth grade English learners saw an 11-point increased in math, compared to 2022. Meanwhile, those tested in eighth grade gained 15 points in reading scores and 13 points in math. This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Nation's Report Card 2024: TN students make gains, top national scores
